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HailHolyQueen90
Guest
What is a typical day for a Franciscan Friar? Being it OFM or OFM Cap.
How does this differ between postulant and novitiate?
How does this differ between postulant and novitiate?
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Michael_Mayo
Guest
It depends on your particular community. Usualy it will be up to you what your typical day is.
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triumphguy
Guest
When I was an OFM in Formation:
Morning prayer, breakfast, study, mass, lunch, physical work, prayer, study and reflection, evening prayer, supper, chores, recreation, night prayer, sleep.
In there was also spiritual direction, silent prayer and scripture reading/lectio divina.
The only difference between postulancy and the noviciate was that the structure of the day was more “formal” and things were taken more “seriously.” It was also a different house (a retreat house) with a novice master in charge.
I also learned to play guitar in those two years.
Morning prayer, breakfast, study, mass, lunch, physical work, prayer, study and reflection, evening prayer, supper, chores, recreation, night prayer, sleep.
In there was also spiritual direction, silent prayer and scripture reading/lectio divina.
The only difference between postulancy and the noviciate was that the structure of the day was more “formal” and things were taken more “seriously.” It was also a different house (a retreat house) with a novice master in charge.
I also learned to play guitar in those two years.
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JReducation
Guest
As you probably know, the three branches of the Friars Minor are the largest obediences in the Franciscan family. Therefore, they are divided into provinces for easier management.
All Franciscans have the same elements in our day, whether they are Friars Minor (OFM, OFM Conv or OFM Cap), TOR, FVV, FBE, MFVA, CFR, FBP, FBC, LFSF, etc. These elements are written in to the rule and the life of St. Francis and they cannot be changed by anyone except the pope.
However, the daily schedule and routine is determined by the culture of the province. The are many things that influence the culture of a province, including climate, location, national customs and more.
The common elements to every friary are:
LOTH
Mass
Community recreation
Community meal
Lectio Divina
Work
Rest
As to what time each house does what, is not uniform. It is uniform for the members of that house. They all follow the same schedule. It’s not uniform from house to house.
House A may begin it’s day at 6:00 AM because it has a school to run that begins at 8:00. It has to pray Lauds, celebrate mass and eat breakfast in two hours.
House B may begin it’s day at 7:00 AM, because it runs a soup kitchen and does street ministry. These don’t begin until later in the day, but also end later in the day. The friars may go to bed later as they may have community recreation until 10 PM and then Compline.
House C may have a split day, such as houses that work out of hospitals and shelters, where the hours are irregular. There may be two periods of sleep. You may get 4 hours at night, rising at 6:00 and another 3 hours in the afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00
The day has the same elements, but the distribution is different from house to house, depending on the ministry of the house. What is important is that the common elements: prayer, mass, meals, recreation and house chapter are never to be missed because of ministry, except for an emergency.
I came from the Capuchin tradition, lived in a parish, retreat house, formation house and missions. All of the elements of the day were present, as well as the observance of the rule and constitution, but the horarium varied from house to house.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, FFV
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HailHolyQueen90
Guest
Thank you!
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TrueLight
Guest
Sounds heavenly!When I was an OFM in Formation:
Morning prayer, breakfast, study, mass, lunch, physical work, prayer, study and reflection, evening prayer, supper, chores, recreation, night prayer, sleep.
In there was also spiritual direction, silent prayer and scripture reading/lectio divina.
The only difference between postulancy and the noviciate was that the structure of the day was more “formal” and things were taken more “seriously.” It was also a different house (a retreat house) with a novice master in charge.
I also learned to play guitar in those two years.
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JReducation
Guest
Novitiate is heavenly. You hear nothing about what’s happening around the world, except for bits and pieces. None of it has anything to do with you, you include it in your prayers and move on.
I remember when the sex abuse scandal broke. The novices in my community found out about it a year later. I was in novitiate when the US invade Iraq and I didn’t find out right away Those things just have nothing to do with you. Your focus in on the present moment only.
We had a novice master that was very old school. I remember having to see the doctor for allergy shots. For a while, I went weakly. Another novice would go with me to ensure that I did not speak to any lay people, lest we become contaminated. We walked in, I got my shots. We politely said goodbye and we left. If anyone tried to engage us in conversation, we were to politely disengage. You tried to speak as little as possible in the hope that no one would speak to you.
I remember one lady who came up to us in the waiting room. She had not been to Church in 20+ years. She said how inspired she was to see “monks” again. Of course, we’re not monks, but whose going to tell her that? I think she wanted to talk about her journey back to the Church. I looked at my brother, not knowing what to do. Him being a fast thinker, pulled out a small breviary that we carried in our pocket and said, "Excuse me, but we have to pray the divine office now. But if you would like, there is Catholic Church over on X Street. That was it. The conversation was over.
It’s a very quiet time and a time for intense community life such as longer meals, longer recreation and longer work periods with your brothers.
Fraternally,
Br. Jr, FF V
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