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Usually lasting for one year, the first step of entering the Franciscan Order is postulancy. During this stage a postulant is immersed in the community life of Saint Bonaventure Province while living at Sacred Heart Friary in Chicago. He is introduced to Saint Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan tradition, and begins to learn the dynamics of balancing the active and contemplative dimensions of the Franciscan charism.

  Following a comprehensive 
 discernment process, the
 postulant receives the
 Franciscan habit and enters
 the novitiate. The novices are
 gathered from all five North
American Conventual Franciscan Provinces and spend a year-and-a-day together. This stage of formation intensifies the development of the inner prayer life and the practical fraternal skills of the novice.

After the year of preparation, the novice takes the Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. These vows are renewed for at least three years until the student friar takes permanent or "solemn" vows. During this stage, the student friar begins a program of specialized ministry training and academic study that corresponds with his own abilities, and that prepares him to serve the Church as either a Franciscan brother or a Franciscan priest.

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How do I become a Franciscan?
Values and Goals
More Information

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"Let all the brothers be, live, and speak as Catholics."
(St. Francis of Assisi, the Earlier Rule, 1221)

Saint Francis cherished his Catholic faith and insisted that his followers know and live the authentic teachings of the Church. In response to this mandate, each Franciscan candidate studies the basic teachings and traditions of the Church.

Additionally, the candidates have weekly classes/seminars taught by various friars from the Province and guest speakers. The topics include an introduction to prayer, spiritual direction, spiritual journaling, the Scriptures, praying with the Psalms, fundamentals of Catholic worship, the Liturgy of the Hours, American Catholic history, documents of Vatican II, Franciscan history, Franciscan spirituality, Franciscan missionary tradition, the lives of Saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Rule and Constitutions, the Secular Franciscan Order, and the Militia of the Immaculate of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.

"We are spouses when the faithful soul is united by the Holy Spirit to our Lord Jesus Christ."
(Saint Francis of Assisi, Later Admonition and Exhortation, 1220)

The Franciscan community has a full schedule of common and individual prayer including the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, common meditation, Lectio Divina (Scripture reflection), faith sharing, Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotional prayers, traditional Franciscan prayers and devotions, regular days of recollection and retreats. The students' life of prayer is further developed through personal journaling and monthly spiritual direction.

"They must rejoice when they live among people considered of little value and looked down upon, among the poor and the powerless, the sick and the lepers, and the beggars by the wayside."
(Saint Francis of Assisi, The Earlier Rule, 1221)

Each Franciscan student is engaged in ministry with the poor for two full days a week at a supervised ministry site that addresses the needs of the times and fits their own background and interests. Some ministry sites include education of youth and young adults, elderly home care and hospice, soup kitchens and advocacy for the homeless, support and education of mentally and physically disabled children and adults, street ministry, university chaplaincies, and much more.

"Receive the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ with fervor in holy remembrance of Him."
(Saint Francis of Assisi, A Letter to the Rulers of the Peoples, 1220)

The teaching of the Second Vatican Council affirms that "the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the fount from which all the Church's power flows" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 1:10). Recognizing the importance of knowing and loving Jesus Christ fully present with the worshipping community, a key feature of the formation program is the active participation in the Sunday Eucharist at a wide variety of Catholic parishes throughout the Chicago area.

"May you announce and preach His praise to all nations in such a way that praise may always be given to the all powerful God by all people throughout the world…"
(Saint Francis of Assisi, The First Letter to the Custodians, 1220)

The pope has consistently encouraged people throughout the world to ennoble humanity, to create what is called the "culture of life." All Catholics are urged to transform popular culture through a "new evangelization" that promotes the value and dignity of the human person, that proclaims Jesus Christ and his kingdom through the mass media, and touches the soul through edifying music, drama and the fine arts. Given this challenge, the Franciscan students are encouraged to promote the "culture of life" by supporting pro-life activities, and by gaining media skills and cultivating artistic talents.

"Those brothers to whom the Lord has given the grace of working may work faithfully and devotedly so that, while avoiding idleness, the enemy of the soul, they do not extinguish the Spirit of holy prayer and devotion to which all temporal things must contribute."
(Saint Francis of Assisi, The Later Rule, 1223)

From the time of Saint Francis himself, the Franciscan community has been balancing a religious life of both active service and contemplative prayer. The formation program is designed to strengthen the students' ability to achieve a balanced life of prayer, work, fraternity, study and recreation. Moreover, the students are taught to develop healthy relationship skills and to establish lifelong patterns of balanced nutrition and exercise.

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