Profession to a third order

[cmathias147]

I recently professed as a Secular Franciscan last month, but not at the parish I originally intended. When I spoke to the pastor of this parish, he seemed “baffled” and confused as I was explaining the process of formation that I went through and how the profession was going to be during the time we generally say the Nicene Creed. He mentioned that he had to coordinate with the liturgist with the music and everything and had to check with the archdiocese as far as the profession, and also mentioned that, when he was the pastor of another parish, anyone professing to the Secular Franciscan Order from that parish went to another to actually profess. I went to a fraternity member who is a deacon at a neighboring parish, and he went to his pastor, and that pastor was willing to do it no questions asked! Now, my question is as follows: Should I have taken the first pastor’s response as a refusal to preside over the mass with profession?

 

[angel12]

I recently professed as a Secular Franciscan last month, but not at the parish I originally intended. When I spoke to the pastor of this parish, he seemed “baffled” and confused as I was explaining the process of formation that I went through and how the profession was going to be during the time we generally say the Nicene Creed. He mentioned that he had to coordinate with the liturgist with the music and everything and had to check with the archdiocese as far as the profession, and also mentioned that, when he was the pastor of another parish, anyone professing to the Secular Franciscan Order from that parish went to another to actually profess. I went to a fraternity member who is a deacon at a neighboring parish, and he went to his pastor, and that pastor was willing to do it no questions asked! Now, my question is as follows: Should I have taken the first pastor’s response as a refusal to preside over the mass with profession?

You don’t belong to a secular Franciscan community? It sounds like there’s another parish they normally use for professions.

 

[Obl_OSB]

When making your profession as a third order/lay religious, it is normally done at the religious community you are attached to. The charism of that community and spiritual disciplines of the order are to be brought into your life as a layman so as to compliment and deepen your spiritual life, that in all things God may be glorified. I highly suggest you consult your spiritual director or third-order director. Pax Christi!

 

[MikeInVA]

All of my Lay Dominican chapter’s rites are performed at our sponsoring parish during a Mass celebrated by our spiritual adviser.

 

[cmathias147]

We meet at a parish, but the parish does NOT sponsor any fraternity. The deacon involved was assigned by the archdiocese to that particular parish. As far as I know, no Catholic parish, religious or diocesan, sponsors ANY Secular Franciscan fraternity. Secular Franciscans do not belong to a community, but rather belong to and meet in fraternity. We meet wherever someone will allow us to get together. One thing to also remember is that both pastors are diocesan priests.

 

[TheOldColonel]

The profession should come just after the Homily. Then the Mass continues as usual including the Creed. The Creed should not be omitted. Indeed, only check the 2018 Ordo and you will see it may not be omitted.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

It almost sounds as if you sprung something unexpected on him that he would have preferred to plan for, instead of ad libbing his way through that part of the Mass. It doesn’t sound like a refusal to me.

 

[cmathias147]

In all practicality, that’s why I went to his office to do for starters is to start the planning process! I even brought the Ritual of the Secular Franciscan Order with me so that he could at least look at what needed to be done during the mass. He didn’t even ask for the book so that he could review the ritual.

 

[MikeInVA]

I’ve never seen a Franciscan profession. Who are you professing to? From what I’ve seen in other third orders the rite is conducted by the president of the chapter/community at the parish that hosts (sponsored is too strong a term) the community. I can see where a diocesan priest would be unprepared (not unwilling) to support.

 

[cmathias147]

Yes, we profess to the president, or minister in this case, but we need a priest to preside over the mass, as it would occur during the mass. Our meetings occur at a different church but aren’t sponsored by that parish, as no Secular Franciscan Fraternity (to my knowledge) is sponsored by any parish anywhere in the world.