VOCATION PROMOTION PROGRAM

Sowing
“What are you looking for?...” (John 1:38)
“Lord, what do you want me to do?” (2 Celano 6)

I. INTRODUCTION
God sows the seed of vocation.
The candidate is attracted to Jesus and listens intently to
His words: “What are you looking for?...” (Jn. 1:38) and
like St. Francis, her initial response is “Lord, what do you
want me to do?” (2C 6)

Vocation promotion aims at presenting the attraction of the

person of the Lord Jesus and the beauty of the total gift of
self for the sake of the Gospel (Vita Consecrata #64).
Vocational guidance is given to help the candidate reach a
state of readiness to make a free choice in responding to the
call of God.

Our primary responsibility as vocation animators is to

propose by word and example, the ideal of the following of
Christ, and then support the response to the Spirit’s action
in the heart of those who are called (Vita Consecrata #64).

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 II. GOAL
An effective SFIC Vocation Promotion Program that
facilitates the discernment and readiness of a young woman
to make a free choice in responding to God’s call to the
religious way of life.

III. OBJECTIVES
A. General Objective
 sustain the life and mission of the Church and our
Congregation through intensified vocation
promotion.

B. Specific Objectives
 organize and coordinate the SFIC Vocation
Promotion program of the SFIC-Philippine Province;
 develop and implement various activities for
Vocation Promotion;
 provide on-going formation to all the Sisters as
Vocation Promoters/Animators in order to equip
them with the right disposition, knowledge and
skills needed in their work;
 develop and implement effective screening
procedures in admitting candidates;
 provide the communities with the vocation
materials and session guides needed to facilitate
the work.

IV. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Provincial Superior appoints a full-time Vocation
Directress, to oversee and monitor vocation promotion
activities.

Each cluster will choose their vocation coordinator who

in turn will be appointed by the Provincial Superior. The
Coordinators will coordinate, implement and
evaluate Vocation Promotion activities in their respective
clusters.

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 All Sisters in the communities are vocation animators.
They will seriously involve themselves in the task of
vocation animation among the people in their ministry and
those they meet. The community Leader sees to it that
vocation activities are integrated in the community's Plan
of Action, implemented and evaluated.

TASKS AND FUNCTIONS

A. VOCATION DIRECTRESS
 undertakes vocation promotion activities in all areas
especially where the SFICs are not in Mission;
 plans and implements the Vocation Promotion Program of
the SFIC-PP together with the Vocation Coordinators;
 maintains contact with applicants and responds to
inquiries regarding vocation and our Congregation;
 assesses applicants through interviews and tests
(psychological, emotional, intellectual) and provides the
Provincial Superior with the necessary information
regarding the applicants' readiness;
 facilitates formation of candidates preparatory to
endorsement to the Provincial Superior for interview
through regular contacts and vocation activities such as
recollections and retreat;
 prepares an individual summary of test results of the
candidates who passed the initial screening and writes
a recommendation letter to the Provincial Superior;
 Provides copies of the Vocation Promotion materials
for dissemination and posting;
 provides in-service training for vocation animators in an
annual general assembly;
 attends meetings of the Formation Team and
Commission on Transformative Formation;
 submits to the Formation Team and Commission on
Transformative Formation a consolidated yearly report
on the implementation of the Vocation Promotion
Program;

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  maintains active participation in the association of
Directress/Directors of Vocation in the Philippines.

B. VOCATION COORDINATOR
 coordinates and evaluates the implementation of the vocation
activities in their respective clusters;
 assists the Vocation Directress in the orientation,
implementation and evaluation of the Vocation Program in
the cluster;
 maintains closer contact and follow-up of the Associates in
their area;
 represents the SFIC in meetings of Directors / Directresses of
Vocation of the Philippines (DVP), local Chapters,
wherever possible and informs the Vocation Directress of
the proceedings;
 submits to the Vocation Directress a yearly consolidated
report of all vocation promotion activities in the cluster;

C. VOCATION ANIMATOR
 implements the community's POA on Vocation Promotion
Program;
 represents the community in vocation promotion activities
of the parish and schools;
 conducts preliminary interviews and maintains
closer contact with the associates in their locality;
 provides opportunities for community living and
prayer life experiences to associates who are seriously
considering the Religious Life;
 serves as contact person of the Vocation Directress for
follow-up of candidates and associates in their area;

V. LEVELS OF CONTACT
 Searchers – these are young ladies seeking for direction
in life, who, after participating in initial search-in
activities feel an inclination for the religious state. They
discern which religious congregation suits them and can
help them live their baptismal covenant to a fuller degree

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 through recollections, pray-in, tour-in activities and
proper guidance.

 Associates – this level consists of applicants to the

SFIC way of life. They are helped towards the next
phase of vocational discernment through programmed
activities. They undergo the following processes:
- Period of acquaintance, observation and discernment
- Formal screening process.
- Physical/Medical Check-up
- Interview by the Provincial Superior
- Catechetics

VI. ONGOING FORMATION OF VOCATION

ANIMATORS
Vocation Animators’ Assembly is held once a year to plan
and evaluate Vocation Promotion Activities and with the
purpose of providing the Vocation Animators with the
knowledge and skills needed in their work. This will help
them become more confident and effective in implementing
the vocation promotion activities in the locality where they
are assigned.

VII. VOCATION PROMOTION PROGRAM

1. Vocation Interest Phase – provides the participants
information about religious life as a possible choice for
one’s vocation in life.

2. Vocation Identification Phase – provides a follow-up

program for those who have already attended any of the
activities of the previous phase.
Vocation Direction (SFIC Spirit and Charism)
Vocation Discernment Retreat
Initial Home Visit
Integration with local community

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 3. Vocation Assessment Phase - assesses the candidate’s
suitability and fitness for religious life through the use of
various evaluation tools. The result of the assessment is
submitted to the Provincial Superior.
Personal Evaluation
Psychological, Emotional, Intellectual Tests
Medical Examinations
Interview by the Provincial Superior
Home Visit by the Vocation Directress
After having been found ready and suitable, the
candidate is recommended to undergo a month long
program to review the basics of Christian Faith and
introduce her to community living before her acceptance
to Postulancy.

VIII. PROCEDURE
Preliminary acquaintance and observation by the Vocation
Animator through informal interview, invitation to Sisters’
Convent for initial acquaintance, and initial home visit are
done before administering a battery of tests.

The administration and validation of the tests, interview and

home visit are done by the Vocation Directress.

1. Health Assessment:
a) Health History
b) Health Examination
- Laboratory and Ancillary Examination
Urinalysis, stool examination, CBC, FBS, Blood
type, Creatinine, Hepa test, Drug test, X-ray,
ECG, OB-Gyne clearance.

Physical Examination and Interview

The candidate is examined by the physician of
the Congregation and interviewed by the Health
Coordinator.

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 Results and recommendation are then forwarded
to the Provincial Superior.

Health condition of the candidate is presented to

the Formation Team for proper assistance and
follow-up.
2. Applicants secure the following credentials:
a) Birth Certificate
b) Baptismal Certificate
c) Confirmation Certificate
d) Transcript of Records
e) Marriage Contract of Parents
f) Recommendation Letters / Character References
3. The candidate is invited for a discernment retreat and for
an interview by the Provincial Superior.

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 POSTULANCY

Germinating
“…so they went with Him and saw where He lived and spent
the rest of the day with Him.” (John 1:39)
“Whom do you want to serve, the servant or the Master?”
(2 Celano 6)
“ Gaze into the mirror daily, O queen bride of Jesus Christ
And continually reflect Your face in it.” (St. Clare)

I. INTRODUCTION
The soil is prepared for the seed to germinate.
The Postulant seriously begins to explore and confirm the
authenticity of her call to the religious life. “So, they went
with Him and saw where He lived and spent the rest of the
day with Him” (Jn. 1:39). She makes a gradual spiritual and
psychological adjustment to prepare the way for certain
breaks with one’s social milieu necessary to freely
participate in her formation process as she responds to this
question: “Whom do you want to serve, the servant or the
Master?” (2C 6)

Postulancy is a time for mutual acquaintance and

probationary period designed to seek an assurance that the

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 candidate has reached a sufficient human and Christian
maturity that will manifest her capacity to begin religious
formation and undertake progressively all the obligations of
religious life. Hence, it is an opportunity provided to the
candidate for continuous vocation discernment.

II. GOAL
A maturing Christian woman called by God to the SFIC way
of life.

III. OBJECTIVES
A. General Objectives:
 To attain a sufficient level of human and Christian
foundation that is important for the candidate’s growth
into the values and attitudes of Christ.
 To explore and opt to pursue her already growing
conviction of her SFIC calling and to respond with a
sense of freedom and responsibility.

B. Specific Objectives:
At the end of this stage, the Postulant is expected to have:
 shown evidence of a better knowledge and
understanding of herself, her gifts and weaknesses, her
identity and her capacity for commitment;
 learned to seek time to be with the Lord in prayer, in
solitude, in His Word, in His Eucharistic presence, and
in creation;
 taken personal initiative in gradually adjusting her
lifestyle to the demands of the Gospel as she experiences
directly the meaning and value of the SFIC way of life;
and
 expressed joy and spontaneity in her response to people’s
needs especially the marginalized and dispossessed.

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IV. PROGRAM
A. Content
A.1. Personal - Human Formation
1. Physical-Psycho Sexual Development I
This course focuses on acquiring good understanding of
the phases of human growth and development. It
encourages rootedness in the postulant’s family life
stories and intouchness with her sexuality and
affectivity; thereby, leading towards greater acceptance
of her psychosexual issues, building a healthy self-
esteem; and maturity in relating with others.
2. Wholistic Wellness I
This course provides a basic understanding of good
health and wellness through proper care of the body and
observance of right food and nutrition. It also deals with
acquiring nursing skills and learning alternative
modalities of health care.
3. Fraternal Life in Community I
This course provides both information and experience
towards a better understanding of community life and its
dynamics. It includes learning social graces in the
context of religious life. It hopes to facilitate
spontaneous and deep interaction among community
members.

A.2 Christian - Ecclesial Formation

1. Christian Living
It provides the Postulant the opportunity to understand
more clearly and more deeply the manifold implications
of her call as a Christian manifested in her personal
dynamics as a human being.
2. Sacred Scriptures I
This course introduces the Postulant to the
basic understanding of her faith in the light of the
Scriptures. A glimpse of Salvation History from the Old
Testament to the New Testament will also be tackled.

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3. Formation to Prayer I
It provides the venue for understanding the basic role of
prayer in the Postulant’s personal process. Different
techniques and approaches are introduced to help her
discover her personal prayer style.
4. Liturgy and Sacraments I
This course covers the basic elements of liturgy and
sacraments. Its significance to the life of a religious will
also be explored.

A. 3 Religious - Franciscan Formation

1. Religious Life I
This course gives a brief history of religious life with
emphasis on the call of the Holy Spirit to respond to the
needs of the Church and to the signs of the times. It also
provides a basic understanding of the vows including the
counter-cultural values embedded in them. With the
presentation of the dynamics of following Jesus in
religious life, the Postulant is helped to reflect on her
experiences and get hold of her religious motivations.

2. Franciscan-Clarean Spirit and Charism I

This course introduces the Postulant to the spirit and life
of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, the Writings of St.
Francis and the significant events in the life of St.
Francis. It provides her with an understanding of the
beginning of the Franciscan Movement.
3. SFIC Heritage I
This course begins with the study of the Netherlands’
context at the time of the beginning of the
SFIC congregation to our present context as the new
milieu for living out the original spirit of the
congregation. It will also cover the life of the foundress,
Mo. Teresia van Miert and the first Sisters.

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4. Franciscan Spirituality of JPIC I
The Francis-Clarean Spirituality of JPIC is the over-
arching principle that animates our life and mission. It is
the straight path we are striving to tread… the path of
righteousness, of holiness and of goodness. Nourished
by this Spirituality, we embrace passion and compassion
in our way of being, relating and doing. We promote and
nurture life in all its forms in gratitude to the Divine
Creator.
The aim of the course is to bring the Postulant’s
consciousness the sacredness of creation. It hopes to
make her understand her relationship with creation and
the rest of humanity, eventually professing a spirituality
that is wholistic /integral in her perception of the world.
5. Formation to Mission I
This course focuses on acquiring an understanding of
missiology with the stress on the Francis-Clarean spirit
of “minoritas.” It also gears towards developing an
enthusiasm for a life of mission and increasing social and
cultural awareness for the purpose of strengthening
solidarity with, and service to the poor.

B. Process
1. Recollection before Acceptance
2. Rite of Acceptance to Postulancy
3. Orientation to Postulancy
4. Community Planning
5. Modular Classes : SOJOURN – Men and Women
Postulants/AWFP – All women
Postulants
6. Charism Journey – Apostolate with children in the
neighborhood, Exposure with the Indigenous people
of Nibangon, Zambales, Exposure with our Elderly
and sick sisters of Laverna
7. Exposure and Integration with our sisters in the
local communities and Family visits

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 8. Individual and Group Processes:
Include after Personal Journal Writing – Spiritual
Direction

V. VENUE
 Postulate House
 Places of Exposure/ Charism Journey/ Inter-
congregational and inter-Franciscan Program

VI. DURATION
The duration of Postulancy is one year. However it can be
extended to a longer period of time to consider the level of
readiness and maturity of the postulant to move to the next
level of formation and for the postulant to discern God’s call
in her life.

VII. EVALUATION
1. Evidence of satisfactory level of self-knowledge and
acceptance, personal worth and identity;
2. Manifestation of a healthy relationship with self and
others;
3. Sense of personal call to companionship with Jesus
through one’s personal initiative in gradually adjusting
one’s lifestyle to the demands of the gospel in view of
religious life;
4. Manifestation of one’s capacity for formation in view of
the Noviceship and to a life of consecration in the SFIC.

VIII. LOGISTICS
The congregation subsidizes the program. However, if a
candidate has the means, she is encouraged to give a little
contribution and provides for her own personal needs
throughout the year.

1. The candidate submits a written request to be admitted

to the Postulancy to the Provincial Superior after a period
of discernment with the accompaniment of the Vocation
Directress.
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2. The Provincial Superior accepts the candidate to
Postulancy in a simple rite attended by the SFIC Sisters.

3. The length of time given for mutual acquaintance and the

manner in which this period is spent are regulated by the
Province, with the approval of the General Superior,
acting with the consent of her Council (S10).

4. To determine the suitability of the candidate to religious

life, the Provincial Superior may ask for pertinent
certificates from experts to be produced. (Can 642; C8).
Hence, at a designated time, the candidate is required to
go through psychological testing.

5. Some time before the period of mutual acquaintance

ends, the Sister charged with the supervision of the
candidate makes a report to the Provincial Superior
(S11).

6. When a Postulant decides to proceed to the next level of

formation, she submits a written request for that purpose
to the Provincial Superior.

7. The Provincial Superior, with the consent of her Council,

decides over the admission of the candidate to the
Novitiate (S11).

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 Novitiate

Growing
“We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41) … “I will follow you
wherever you go” (Luke 9:57)
“This is what I wish, this is what I seek, this is what I long to do
with all my heart.” (1 Celano 22)

I. INTRODUCTION
The seed of religious life begins to grow.

Noviceship is a period where the seed of vocation begins to

grow. The Novice has found the Messiah and desires to
“follow Him wherever He goes” (Lk. 9:57). Care and
nourishment are provided to allow the roots underneath the
ground grow in a quiet and hidden way. This will allow the
Novice to listen to the Word for the process of
transformation in Christ and exclaim “This is what I wish,
this is what I seek, this is what I long to do with all my heart”
(1C 22).

Noviceship provides time and space for the Novice to be

rooted not only in the Word but in the spirit and charism of

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 the Congregation. It is a gradual initiation into the SFIC way
of life towards a personal commitment to Christ and His
mission.

The first year provides continuity of process from

Postulancy to the Novitiate. It is a time for deeper processing
of personal issues, for further clarification of one’s
motivations, for discernment of an authentic vocation to the
consecrated life and for cultivation of values and integration
of the call-response reality.

The second year focuses in preparing the Novice for a life of

service, in imitation of Jesus Christ, especially among the
marginalized and dispossessed through exposure and service
which are actualized with one another, with the poor sectors
in society, and with the SFIC local communities.

II. GOAL
A Novice prepared for First Profession as SFIC committed
to the person of Jesus Christ and His mission.

III. OBJECTIVES
A. General Objectives
1. To familiarize the Novice with the way of life of the
Congregation according to the spirit of the TOR Rule
and the provisions of the SFIC Constitutions.
2. To provide the Novice with a solid theoretical and
practical knowledge and understanding of the Human-
Christian-Francis-Clarean dimension of religious life
that will serve as a foundation for her further formation
as a religious.
3. To guide the Novice to a life of intimacy with Jesus
Christ and introduce her to life in community according
to the evangelical counsels in the spirit of St. Francis of
Assisi, St. Clare and Mother Teresia van Miert.
4. To prepare the Novice for first profession towards a life
of following Jesus Christ, participating in His mission

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 and in loving service to others especially the poor and
marginalized of society.
5. The novice develops her personal spirituality marked by
the mysticism of St. Francis and St. Clare, discipline and
fidelity.

B. Specific Objectives
At the end of this stage of formation, the Novice is
expected to have:

1. imbibed the spirit of the SFIC way of life and charism

with a deepened knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and
His mission, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, Mother
Teresia van Miert, our Foundress, and of the history of
our Congregation.
2. integrated Mother Teresia’s mysticism in her growth
process.
3. undergone spiritual formative processes that are
incarnational, historical, dialogic, culture and gender-
sensitive, feminist and ecological, facilitative of her
growth as a Franciscan woman religious.
4. manifested in actual living, evident signs of mature
spirituality
 rootedness in Jesus Christ, His Word and sacraments
in the present realities of life,
 capacity for evangelical life lived in community in
the spirit of penance, submission, love and simplicity
of lifestyle,
 having achieved a certain level of oneness and inter-
relatedness with the whole of creation,
5. experienced “dialogue of life” with the poor and
marginalized sectors of society where the basic
dispositions of a person called to discipleship as a
Franciscan woman religious have been evident.
6. been exposed to and initiated into the SFIC community
and apostolic life and manifested readiness for First
Profession as SFIC.

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IV. PROGRAM
A. Content
A.1 Personal - Human Formation

1. Physical-Psycho-Sexual-Spiritual Integration II
This course aims to help the Novice go through a freeing
process that begins with deep self-awareness and
acceptance. Each Novice is given opportunities to see
her personal giftedness and acknowledge her areas of
unfreedom while allowing her to have greater
responsibility over her growth towards integration,
freedom, inner-directedness and a deeper relationship
with God.

2. Wholistic Wellness II
This course underscores the importance of a healthy and
balanced lifestyle of a religious through proper care of
body and appropriate choices and correct preparation of
food. It covers natural and wholistic approach to
wellness and introduces alternative modalities of health
care. It also aims to develop in the Novice appreciation
of the Arts and Music.

3. Fraternal Life in Community II

This course is geared towards training of Novices in the
basic skills of community living according to the SFIC
spirit and life. It stresses building a community of equals
and co-learners through engagement in a web of
relationships, dialogue and mutuality, co-responsibility
and participative leadership, and journeying together
towards fullness of life.

A.2 Christian-Ecclesial Formation

1. Theology and Ecclesiology
This provides the Novice basic information and
knowledge on Theology, Church History, Moral
Theology and Social Teachings of the Church as part of
the integral faith formation and development.

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2. Sacred Scriptures II
This course introduces the Novice to a basic
understanding of both the Old and the New Testaments
toward an integrated faith formation and development.
3. Formation to Prayer II
This course exposes the Novice to a deeper
understanding of prayer and its various forms to intensify
her initial affective relationship with Jesus Christ and
make it grow according to the spirit and life of the SFICs.
4. Liturgy and Sacraments II
This offers a wider explanation of liturgy and sacraments
which enables the Novice to prepare meaningful liturgy
and to participate actively in daily liturgy of the Hours
and other liturgical celebrations.

A.3 Religious - Franciscan Formation

1. Religious Life II
This course provides the necessary background on
religious life to assist the Novice in her deeper
understanding and living out of the religious life.

2. Franciscan Spirit and Charism II

This course facilitates rootedness of the Novice in the
Franciscan origin that includes the life, spirit and
charism of St. Francis and St. Clare. Thus, it develops in
the Novice clarity, appreciation, and deepening of her
Franciscan calling and identity.

3. SFIC Heritage II
Through this course the Novice develops her SFIC
identity as she becomes more acquainted with the history
of the Congregation and the charism, spirit and life of its
Foundress, Mother Teresia van Miert.

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4. Franciscan- Clarean Spirituality of JPIC II
This course increases the awareness and interiorization
of the Novice of a new spirituality anchored in the
Franciscan/Clarean charism leading her to a deepened
passion for the Cosmic Christ and compassion for
humanity and all of God’s creation.

5. Formation to Mission II
This course facilitates in the Novice a deeper awareness
and understanding of Mission as an integral part in
following Jesus Christ.

B. Process
Junior Novices
1. Orientation to Novitiate Life
2. Integration/Initiation Retreat
3. Initiation to the Novitiate
4. Canonical Year
5. Integration/Evaluation
Senior Novices
1. Exposure-immersion
2. Discernment Retreat
3. Integration/Evaluation
Junior/Senior Novices
 Fraternal Life in Community
 Consultative, dialogic, participative
 Community discernment planning and
evaluation
 Community structures and processes
 Communal/Shared tasks and responsibilities

 Action-Reflection-Faith response-reaction-
reflection-silence
 Daily personal and communal prayers
 Regular day of silence and solitude
 Meditation and Examen of Consciousness
 Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours

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  Lectio Divina, Bible study, Adoration
 Sharing of faith-life experiences/shared
meditation
 Monthly Communal Recollection
 Monthly celebration of the Sacrament of
Reconciliation
 Advent and Lenten Desert experiences
 Spiritual Reading/Journal Writing/Sunday
Gospel Reflections
 Exposure to Creation (nature, people, events)
 Franciscan devotion, prayers, songs and journey
to the poor
 Marian devotion
 Franciscan Spiritual Direction and Discernment
 Annual Retreat
 Recreation/Franciscan joy
 Family Interaction
 Charism Journey
 Franciscan Solitude and Internalization
 Apostolate in the neighborhood (catechism and
faith sharing)
 Parish integration and involvement
 Bonding/Integration with the SFIC neighboring
communities (Postulate, SRC, La Verna I)
 Formal and Informal Studies (fora, symposia,
assemblies, and cultural shows)
 Inter-Novitiate Studies and Workshops
 Inter-Franciscan congregational assemblies and
conferences
 Congregational / Provincial gatherings,
celebrations and activities

 Periodic Assessment of Growth Process

 Personal Evaluation
 Regular Individual Consultation
 Peer Group Sharing, Processing and Evaluation
 Monthly House Chapter
 Assessment of Canonical Year

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 Senior Novices
 Preparation for First Profession
 Lenten Desert Experience
 Integration/Discernment Retreat
 Request for First Profession
 Preparation for First Profession Liturgy
 First Profession of Vows

V. VENUE
 Novitiate House
 SFIC Communities
 Places of Retreats and Apostolate
 Exposure Areas
 Site of Inter-Novitiate and Inter-Franciscan
Programs

VI. DURATION: Two Years

VII. EVALUATION
Points for Evaluation
 Relationship with the Triune God and positive
evidence of an authentic call to the religious life in
the SFIC.
 Relationship with the Word and Creation and the
evidence of a genuine commitment to Christ and His
mission.
 Relationship with self, community, congregation and
the Church and evidence of a capacity to integrate the
essentials of religious life according to the
Franciscan Clarean way of life.

VIII. LOGISTICS
The Novice provides partial cost of her material, medical and
financial needs during her two-year Novitiate period. Studies
and other needs are subsidized by the Congregation with
assistance from the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the
Apostle through the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines.

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IX. PROCEDURAL NORMS
1. An intensive preparation which includes a Desert
Experience and an 8-day retreat precedes First
Profession of Vows.
2. The Novice Directress gives a report on the Novice to
the Provincial Superior and her Council at a time
specified by the Provincial Superior (S 22).
3. When a Novice wants permission to make temporary
vows, she has to submit a written request for that purpose
to the Provincial Superior two months before the end of
her Novitiate (S 23).
4. The Provincial Superior with the consent of her Council
decides on the admission of the Novice to temporary
vows, after having sought the advice of the Novice
Directress (S 24).
5. The Profession of Temporary Vows is an act whereby
the sister freely commits herself to God in the presence
of the Church and the Congregation and explicitly
promises to live in the community according to the Rule
and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order
Regular of St. Francis and the SFIC Constitutions (C 28).
6. The Profession is accepted by the lawful Superior,
personally or through another (Can. 656.5).
7. Within the Rite of Profession, the newly professed Sister
is entrusted to her Junior Directress for her continuous
formation (C 36) and to the care of the community where
she is assigned.
8. The newly professed Sister receives a gold ring as a sign
of her Consecration (C 67).
9. The Profession of Temporary Vows is celebrated in a
simple ceremony whereby immediate members of the
family of those who will profess are invited.

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 JUNIORATE LEVEL

Flowering
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life
and we have believed and we have come to know that
you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)
“Go, repair my house which is falling to ruin.” (2 Celano 10)

“. . .remembering your purpose, and always looking to the

beginning, hold what you hold, do what you are now doing
and do not cease. . .” (2 lL Ag, 11)

I. INTRODUCTION
The plant begins to flower.

The Juniorate is the period of formation that refers to the

time from the Initial Profession to Perpetual Profession of
Vows. It is a period set aside to deepen one’s commitment
in faith to Christ and His mission as expressed in these
words: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life and we have believed and we have come to know
that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn. 6:68-69) The words:
“Go, repair my house which is falling to ruin” (2C 10) heard
by St. Francis from the crucifix in San Damiano will also inspire

24
 her unconditional commitment to participate in the mission of
Christ. The Junior Sister’s young vocation must be strengthened
and nourished as St. Clare tells Agnes Prague –“remembering
your purpose and always looking to the beginning, hold what
you hold, do what you are now doing and do not cease. . . “(2 L
Ag, 11)

The five years of temporary vows are designed to allow the

Junior Sister to live her fidelity to Christ and the Gospels, to
the Church and its mission, to religious life and the SFIC
spirit and charism, and to humanity and the signs of the
times, more fully.

These realities are actualized in the Junior Sister’s

immersion in the mainstream of SFIC local communities.
Fraternal Life in community will serve as a school of reality,
co-responsibility, mutuality, respect and minority. It will
sustain and deepen her SFIC identity as she daily lives the
spirit and charism of the Congregation. In the spirit of
evangelical conversion, the context, content and process of
formation focus on interiorization towards witness of life,
taking into consideration interculturality and the effects of
multi- mass media and globalization of the world.

Her commitment to Jesus Christ and His mission is further

enhanced in her active participation primarily among the
marginalized and dispossessed to give shape to the Reign of
God: a reign of justice and peace among peoples, for the
whole of creation. (SFIC Constitutions, SB 2:93-95)

II. GOAL
A Junior Sister nourished and strengthened in her identity as
SFIC and in her personal commitment to Jesus Christ
and His mission “in the footsteps of St. Francis and St.
Clare under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin
Mary.”(Paradigm- PNP Chapter 2012)

25
III. OBJECTIVES
A. General Objectives:

I. To deepen her identity as SFIC capable of assuming full

responsibility in living the Francis-Clarean way of life.
II. To focus on interiorization towards witness of life,
taking into consideration interculturality and the effects
of multi-mass media and the globalization of the world.
III. To continuously situate herself in an ever-changing
world for an authentic and meaningful response to the
signs of the times in the light of the Gospel values.
IV. To progressively live her vowed life towards a lifetime
commitment to Jesus Christ and His mission as a Third
Order Regular Franciscan through the SFIC way of life.

B. Specific Objectives:
At the end of the Juniorate formation, the Junior Sister is
expected to have:

 developed a strong SFIC identity capable of living

the evangelical conversion of life of a Third Order
Regular Franciscan;
 grown responsibly in her capacity to live fraternal
life in community, contemplation, and mission
integrally;
 participated actively in the SFIC ministries
especially among the marginalized and
dispossessed toward a deeper Gospel living and
apostolic commitment;
 deepened her experience of God through sustained
Francis-Clarean spiritual direction, daily personal
prayer and reflection on the Word of God; and
 fully affirmed her option for a lifetime commitment
to Jesus Christ and His mission as a Third Order
Regular Franciscan through the SFIC way of life.

26
IV. PROGRAM
A. Content
A.1 Personal – Human Formation
1. Physical – Psycho-Sexual-Spiritual Integration III
The will explore the Junior Sister’s psychodynamics in
order to discover her authentic self and areas of
unfreedom and to enhance her understanding of and
love for others toward a fuller commitment to God.
2. Wholistic Wellness III
This will offer the Junior Sister new ways of
understanding oneself, others and the world around her
and the inter-relatedness of all human realities towards
caring, healing and well being.
3. Fraternal Life in Community III
This is geared towards enhancing the Junior Sister’s
skills in community living in order that she may
contribute to the quality of fraternal life in her
community.

A.2 Christian - Ecclesial Formation

1. Theology and Ecclesiology II
This will enable the Junior Sister to gain deeper
knowledge and insights on Theology and Ecclesiology
and the skills to reflect on any theology in the light of
experience and tradition. The importance of being in
communion with people in their response to Christ’s
invitation to participate in His mission will be
underscored.
2. Sacred Scriptures III
This will further facilitate the integral faith formation of
the Junior Sister as she studies the world of the Hebrew
Bible, its peoples and cultures, the Jewish-Greco-Roman
tradition, the Pentateuch in both Jewish and Christian

27
 tradition and the methods and approaches used in the
study of Sacred Scriptures.
3. Formation to Prayer III
This will provide the Junior Sister with the knowledge
that will help her understand, appreciate, practice and
benefit from the many forms of prayer and the variety of
ways in which the life of Christ is contemplated, thus the
desire to be always with the Lord and follow Him
deepens and matures.
4. Liturgy and Sacraments III
This will deepen the Junior Sister’s understanding and
appreciation of Liturgy and the Sacraments through the
study of its history, variety of forms, theological
significance and the meaning they have in the life of the
Church.

A.3 Religious - Franciscan Formation

1. Religious Life III
This will further help the Junior Sister deepen her
understanding of formation to religious life toward a
more intense living of her evangelical vocation.
2. Francis-Clarean Spirit and Charism III
The Junior Sister will have a deeper insights into the life
of St. Francis and St. Clare and the spirit and manner of
living the Franciscan way of life.
3. SFIC Heritage III
This will help the Junior Sister deepen and appreciate her
identity as SFIC, necessary for the faithful living out of
the gift of the Spirit to the foundress of the Congregation
and its purpose in the life of the Church.
4. Francis-Clarean Spirituality of JPIC III
This will facilitate the Junior sisters’ growth in the
Francis-Clarean spirituality of justice, peace and

28
 integrity of creation as the over - arching principle
that animates all of their life and mission as SFIC.

5. Formation to Mission III

This will provide the Junior Sister with biblical
foundation, insights and paradigms of mission, and
cultivate the Francis-Clarean spirit of mission for fuller
commitment to Christ.

B. PROCESS
B.1 With her community
Common Prayers/Devotions/Holy Eucharist
Monthly Recollection and House Chapter
Weekly faith-Gospel sharing
Community activities/tasks-orientation, planning
and evaluation
Charism Journey
Cluster assemblies
Congregational/Provincial activities

B2. Personal:
Daily Personal Prayer/Reflections/
Meditation/Contemplation
Lectio Divina/other Spiritual Readings
Daily Journal writing
Monthly Reflection Paper
Franciscan Spiritual Direction
Individual Conference with the Junior Directress
Self-evaluation (written)
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Family Visit

B3. With her co-juniors

Mid-year assembly (October)
Summer Renewal Program (April- May)
Annual Retreat
Renewal of Vows

29
  The Junior Directress visits the Junior Sister at the
beginning of the school year and when necessary
visits her again any time of the year.
 Evaluation of the Junior Sister:
- The Junior Sister makes a written evaluation of
herself towards the end of the year and shares this
with the community in the presence of the Junior
Directress.
- Her community and mission partners also make
their evaluation in writing.
- The Junior Directress sends the evaluation sheets
and her recommendations together with the
monthly reflection papers to the Provincial
Superior and her Council.

V. VENUE
Local communities and places of ministry
Little Flower Retreat House
Little Flower Retreat House
Inter-Franciscan Formation Center

VI. DURATION: 5 Years

First/Second, Year - Community and Ministry /
Third Year- Theological Studies (Certificate Program
Fourth Year - Pastoral Experience
Fifth Year - Intensification
VII. EVALUATION POINTS :
 Relationship with God evidenced by personal and
spiritual growth; congruence between what the young
Sister professed and her lifestyle.
 Evidence of growth in the Junior Sister’s life of witness
and service in the local community and her participation
in the concerns of the Church; and greater capacity for
integrating contemplation and action in daily life.
 Growth in SFIC identity and Francis-Clarean values.

30
VIII. LOGISTICS
The local community takes care of the Junior Sister’s needs
while those in the Juniorate Formation House are subsidized
by the Province.

THE INTENSIFICATION YEAR

I. INTRODUCTION
The Intensification Year is a period of intensive preparation
prior to Perpetual Profession of Vows. It is a time of prayer
and contemplation; for deeper appreciation and valuing of
God’s gratuitous gift of religious vocation and one’s
response; for deepening of one’s understanding and living of
the SFIC spirit and charism; and for strengthening one’s
donation of self in view of making a lifetime commitment to
Jesus Christ and His mission.

This year of withdrawal from full time apostolic

involvement allows the Intensifier to review, clarify, and
interiorize what were learned and experienced during the
earlier years of initial formation. It further provides her the
opportunity to give the needed attention to areas in religious
life that still have to be strengthened.

This period of intensification ends with a thirty-day directed

Francis-Clarean retreat.

II. GOAL
A Junior Sister ready for a lifetime commitment to Jesus
Christ and His mission through the SFIC way of life.

III. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

At the end of Intensification Year, the Intensifier is expected
to have:
1. deepened her love and fidelity to Jesus Christ and the
Gospel;

31
 2. broadened her understanding of and her participation in
the Church and her mission;
3. deeply rooted herself in the Third Order Regular
spirituality and in the SFIC spirit and charism; and
4. grown in her capacity to read the signs of the times in the
light of the Gospel for a more authentic response.

IV. PROGRAM
A. Content
Review of the essentials of Religious life
(Vows/Community Life/Prayer/Mission) in the context
of Francis- Clarean Spirituality of JPIC and the SFIC
spirit and charism and as Third Order Regular
Franciscan.

B. Process

Fraternal Life in Community (orientation, planning,

evaluation, etc.)
Common Prayers and Devotions/ Eucharist
Personal Prayer/Reflection/
Meditation/Contemplation
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Weekly Hermitage Day (Silence/Solitude)
Weekly Gospel /Faith Sharing
Francis-Clarean Prayer (Gaze. . Consider.
Contemplate. . Act. . )
Spiritual Reading/ Lectio Divina (Individual)
Monthly Recollection
Monthly House Chapter
Individual Conference with the Junior Directress
Charism Journey
Integration Retreat
Processing/Integration/Interiorization
(Individual and Community)
Self and Community Evaluation

32
 Juniors’ Midyear Assembly/ Summer
Renewal Program
Monthly Reflection Paper/ Daily Journal Writing
Advent and Lenten Desert Days
Thirty-Day Directed Francis-Clarean Retreat
Family Visit
General Medical and Laboratory Examinations
PNP Retreat
Perpetual Profession of Vows

V. VENUE
Formation House
Local Communities
Little Flower Retreat House

VI. LOGISTICS
The Intensification community is subsidized by the
Province.

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 ON-GOING LEVEL I

Bearing Fruit
“Whoever remains in me and I in Him will bear much fruit;
for you can do nothing without me.” (John 15:5)
“I am the herald of the Great King.” (1 Celano 16a)

I. INTRODUCTION
This is the time of bringing forth fruits.

This level covers the period after the Perpetual Profession of

Vows to the 24th year, reckoned from the date of entrance to
the religious life. These words of Jesus: “Whoever remains
in me, and I in Him will bear much fruit; for you can do
nothing without me” (Jn. 15:5) become a constant refrain and
through sustained exposure to the person and life of Jesus,
transformation takes place.

It is a time of bearing fruits by sharing gifts and talents

through fraternal life in the community and through the
varied ministries of the Congregation. The Sister in this level
continues to proclaim that she is “the herald of the Great
King” (1C 16a).

34
 In this level, there are two sub groups level:

A. Level I-A YOUNG PROFESSED

In this stage of Formation, the Sisters who have just

made their final vows are challenged to live out the
values and learnings they have internalized during their
initial formation.

During the fifth year after their final Vows, the Sisters
come together for the tertianship program. This program
provides the Sisters with opportunities for renewal and
intensive enrichment, integrating their experiences of
early years of formation with those of post-Juniorate
years.

B. Level I-B POST-TERTIANSHIP TO THE

TWENTY-FOURTH YEAR

During this period, the Sisters are given further

opportunities to realize and optimize the use of their
talents for the service of the Congregation and of the
Local Church, and of the society.

II. GOAL
The SFIC Professed Sister, who through a continuing
process towards inner conversion and transformation, is
progressively conformed to Christ at the service of the
Church’s mission towards wholeness.

III. OBJECTIVES
A. General Objectives:
1. Sustains growth gained in the Juniorate years manifested
in healthy relationships in both community and ministry.
2. Copes with pressure and the demands of community life
and ministry.

35
 3. Manifests concretely in community and ministry the
capacity to live out in “creative fidelity” the Gospel,
Franciscan values and spirituality internalized in her
initial formation.
B. Specific Objectives:
1. Manifests a more authentic witnessing of SFIC
Spirituality “steeped in the Gospel” in the spirit of St.
Francis, St. Clare and our foundress, Mother Teresia van
Miert within the context of on-going, dynamic, historical
realities.
2. Shows integration of prayer, contemplation and mission
in her way of life.
3. Displays a meaningful involvement and participation in
the mission of Christ, the Church, the Congregation and
the society.
4. Develops and nurtures qualities and competence of being
a transformative servant leader.

IV. PROGRAM
A. Content
A.1 Personal - Human Formation
1. Physical-Psycho-Sexual-Spiritual Integration
This course aims to help the Sister understand and
embrace the physical, psychological, sexual, spiritual
changes happening to her in this stage of formation as
blessings in her process of becoming a better, well-
integrated religious.

2. Wholistic Wellness
This course aims to achieve a holistic blend of physical,
mental, social, and spiritual well-being – the result of
consciously choosing to live a quality life that assumes
personal responsibility and commitment. Educates the
Sisters about the art of holistic living and helps facilitate
a progression towards healthy, more natural and balance
lifestyles through integrative and alternative health

36
 practices. It assists the Sisters in their inner growth and
inner peace through self-acceptance and healing.
3. Fraternal Life in Community
This course seeks to help the Sisters toward healthy
community living pattern after the “Trinitarian
communion” and SFIC spirit and way of life. It aims at
building a community of Sisters permeated by unity
actualized by mutual love in their ways of being, relating,
and acting that concretely embody reconciliation and
reunification. It emphasizes a relationship of co-
responsibility, cooperation, communication, and
shared leadership.

A.2 Christian – Ecclesial Formation

Adequate knowledge of Church documents and integrate
these teachings in her faith-life experiences to deepen her
commitment towards the Franciscan spirituality of
justice, peace and integrity of creation as her participation
in the transformation of society.

1. Theology and Ecclesiology (Church Documents)

This course surveys the biblical, theological, and ethical
perspectives of selected Church teachings. Emphasis is
given to the question of Christian faith and morality,
human person as subject of moral behavior, moral
conscience, and human responsibility, laws, norms and
moral values, options, attitudes and acts, sin, conversion
and Christian virtues. Special attention is given to
themes and issues which are critical for life in the church
today.
2. Sacred Scriptures
Particular attention will be given on the role of
each evangelist as interpreter of Jesus tradition for a
missionary community and the relevance of their
message for our situation today. Surveys fundamental
questions of Christology in the light of modern Biblical
studies and the theological traditions. Through a study

37
 and re-reading of the spirituality and prayer of women in
the OT and the Psalms, it attempts to recover the power
of these prayers for a deeper communion with God and
for our time.
3. Formation to Prayer
The Sister tries to create times and places for her to
deepen her spiritual life through prayer and
contemplation – important dimension of our Christian
way of life. She believes that God is calling her into an
ever deepening journey into a divine union with him, and
prayer is the means through which God draws us.

4. Liturgy and Sacraments

The course provides a discussion on the role of Liturgy
in the life and mission of the Church. Looks also at the
notion of sacrament and how it relates to the sacramental
nature of the Church. Special emphasis is given to
Baptism, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the
centrality of Eucharist in the life of the ecclesial
community, in view of its more meaningful, active and
vital celebration.

A.3 Religious - Franciscan Formation

1. Religious Life (Revisited)
Nourished by the Franciscan spirituality of justice, peace
and integrity of creation, with a wholistic, eco-feminist
perspective, the course will deepen the Sister’s life-long
commitment to the religious life, anchored in the
mystery of communion with the Triune God. A deeper
look into the religious life as belonging to the prophetic
dimension of the Church’s life of consecration and
communion and our mission to bring about the Reign of
God.

2. Franciscan Spirit and Charism

This course is a comprehensive study and reflection on
the life of St. Francis and St. Clare. It provides a

38
 particular context to stimulate dialogue about the many
dimensions of mission and our search for full humanity
in the light of the Gospel and the Person of Jesus Christ.
This study reawakens the person to the challenge and
genuineness of Francis and Clare’s message for our own
times.
3. SFIC Heritage
Through this course, the Sister will grow deeper in her
knowledge and living out her Franciscan identity as
SFIC as she strives to be more rooted in the Gospel, the
values of the Reign of God and in the spirit and charism
of our foundress, Mother Teresia van Miert.
4. Franciscan Spirituality of JPIC
This course provides the awareness and analysis of the
present realities it hopes to change. Faith reflection from
the perspective of the Gospel/Franciscan values and the
teachings of the Church is a process that demands a
change of heart. Through this faith reflection, the Sister
is called to a new understanding of mission and praxis,
she becomes a significant, effective, and faithful witness.
5. Formation to Mission
This course articulates the definition of Missiology and
its significance for us today. It aims to equip the Sisters
with knowledge and skills on the task and process of
doing theology vis-à-vis the mission of the Church in
the world today.

B. PROCESS
1. Seminars/Conferences
2. Preached Retreat
3. Peer Group Sharing
4. Charism Journey: Sectoral Group
SFIC Communities
Family dialogue of life
Elderly Sisters
Sharing/Processing

39
 5. Prayer/Reflection/Integration

C. DURATION of the PROGRAMS

1. Regular Summer Renewal programs:
 Sisters in Level 1-A and Level 1-B
(once every four years)
2. Special Renewal Program
 Tertians: One month within the fifth year
after final profession.

V. VENUE
1. Little Flower Retreat House, Baguio City
2. Central House - Conference Room

VI. LOGISTICS
The Local communities concerned provide for the personal
needs of the Sisters in Renewal Program. The Province
subsidizes the special/regular renewal programs.

40
 ON Going LEVEL II

Ripening
“I have found Him whom my heart loves. I will hold Him and
will never let Him go. (Song of Songs 3:4)
“ I have done what was mine to do, may Christ teach you what
you are to do.” (2 Celano 214)

I. INRODUCTION
Ripening is growing towards full human and Christian
maturity.

This level of formation starts from Silver Jubilee to the 39th year
of religious life. Here, the Sisters continue to experience the
emergence of the real self and the challenge to integrate all the
polarities of their life with these words: “I have found Him
whom my heart loves; I will hold Him and will never let Him
go.” (Song of Songs 3:4) It is also during this period that they
are further drawn into creative solitude: to journey inward and
to live out the Paschal Mystery poignantly experienced in the
period of midlife transition.

The focus of Level II is to generate life by passing on to the

younger Sisters Gospel/Franciscan values and by sharing their
God-given talents. This facilitates the Sister’s understanding

41
 and acceptance of the advent of the aging process. Hence, she
is able to say: “I have done what was mine to do, may Christ
teach you what you are to do” (2C 214).

II. GOAL
The SFIC Professed Sister who, through a continuing process
of conversion, is progressively growing towards a more
authentic living out of her commitment to Jesus Christ and His
mission, evidenced by a joyful acceptance of the aging process
towards the fullness of life.

III. OBJECTIVES
1. To facilitate the Sisters’ continuing renewal and deepening
in the different aspects of their life as Franciscan women
religious, according to the Spirit and Charism of Mother
Teresia, towards greater authenticity as disciples of Jesus
Christ and a deeper union with the Triune God.
2. To develop a greater desire for prayer and contemplation
and love for the Scriptures.
3. To work towards integration of experiences in order to
sustain an open readiness for the working of the Spirit in
their lives.
4. To further develop and optimize the use of their God-given
talents for a more mature living out of the SFIC Charism,
Vision and Mission.
5. To demonstrate a positive attitude toward the period of
retirement and aging.
6. To plan, implement and evaluate with the Level
Coordinator, a Summer Renewal Program held once in
every four years.
7. To plan, implement and evaluate with the Level
Coordinator, a six (6) month renewal program based on
personal/group needs and in the context of the times. This
is in preparation for the celebration of Silver and Ruby
Jubilees.

42
IV. PROGRAM
A. Content
A.1 Personal – Human Formation
1. Psycho-Sexual-Spiritual Development
Living out a more integrated life sustained by a good grasp
of the spirituality behind every development in one’s
journey towards pre-retirement and the onset of the
“Autumn years.” The Sister is helped to understand the
dynamics that go with the process of aging and to nurture
the attitude of openness to let “go” and a grateful
acceptance of what is yet to come.

2. Wholistic Wellness
Openness and acceptance of the positive image of aging and
aging gracefully begin with allowing oneself to be joyful,
healthy and happy. This course will assist the sister to
consciously develop a healthy attitude towards aging
gracefully by keeping the balance between rest and
relaxation, prayer and contemplation, study and work, eating
a nutritional diet, and a healthy life-style. Engaging oneself
in intellectual activities is a great way to keep one’s mind
active, varied wholesome hobbies and regular exercise
routine have multiple benefits and are very contributive to
facilitate the process of growing old gracefully. Regular
updates and consistency in the practice of wellness facilitate
healthy living.

3. Fraternal Life in Community

This course challenges the Sister to a more meaningful living
out of community processes through creative building up of
fraternal life in community. Special emphasis will be given
to affective relationships, loving and humble service, and
recreating fraternal life.

Knowledge and beliefs are concretized into relevant

responses to the demands of the religious life and the
ministry. Transformative Servant-Leadership takes into
account meaningful ways of paving the way for the young.

43
 Recognizing and respecting individuals “space” nurture the
practice of generativity.

A.2 Christian - Ecclesial Formation

1. Theology and Ecclesiology
A continuing in-depth study of Theology and the
Ecclesiology of Vatican II in the light of the spirit, mission
and challenges of the Church in the world today. A theology
that “seeks God in the Church and through the Church as its
preexisting center.” Special attention is given to the reign of
God in Jesus’ preaching; the basic structure of the Church
as the people of God, the Body of Christ, the concept of the
Eucharistic ecclesiology, ecclesiology of communion, a
Marian understanding of the Church, and integral faith
formation.

2. Sacred Scriptures
In-depth reading, study and reflection of the Scriptures for
an on-going process of imbibing the life and spirit of Jesus
Christ. Focus on the spirituality and power of Women in the
OT can offer a challenge to situate oneself in the context of
the times and the demands of religious life in fraternal living
and in the ministry. A study and re-reading the literary types
and liturgical setting of the Psalms we will recover the power
and meaning of these prayers for our time.

3. Formation to Prayer
A clearer understanding of the different ways of praying and
having internalized the true spirit of prayer, the Sisters
continue to journey towards a conscious living out of
becoming themselves the Pray-er.
4. Liturgy and Sacraments
Regular updates on new and relevant trends in today’s
Church’s liturgy will inspire the Sisters towards
participation that is more active, creative discovery and
application of all that can be contributive to the making of
alive and meaningful liturgies. The focus will be on the

44
 centers of the liturgical activity, the Eucharist and Liturgy
of the Hours. Exploration of the Sacraments as a
celebration of Christ’s presence to bring us to the fullness
of our life in community and in Christ is essential. The
essence of inculturated liturgy contributes to making the
liturgy more relevant and meaningful.

A.3 Religious - Franciscan Formation

1. Religious Life
The fast pace of change necessitates on-going updates,
involvement and participation in the varied concerns of the
religious life to ensure relevance in the pursuit of one’s own
vocation to this state of life.

Readings, studies and deeper reflections on new trends and

developments in the religious life, specifically, the study of
the vows from different perspectives. This will enable the
Sister to a deeper appreciation of the gift of vocation and
commitment. Needless to say, the more important aspect is
to become a witness to a life of total consecration and
surrender to the Living God.

2. Franciscan Spirit and Charism

Continuing studies and prayerful reflections on the life and
spirituality of St. Francis and St. Clare will help facilitate a
gradual introspection of their missionary spirit and life of
prayer.

The in-depth understanding of our Franciscan roots and a

more authentic living out of the Franciscan spirituality as
modeled by St. Francis, St. Clare and our foundress Mother
Teresia van Miert, is a solid foundation to sustain efforts at
moving on to unity of contemplation and mission.
3. SFIC Heritage
In the spirit of solitude and contemplation, a joyful and
meaningful living out of a life of “total surrender to the
living God” building up to a fuller life of gratitude and

45
 deeper appreciation of the countless blessings received
through the years as a religious woman in the SFIC way of
life.

“Borne out of Love” provides a good source of prayerful

reflections on the life and spirituality of Mother Teresia van
Miert.
4. Franciscan Spirituality of JPIC
A conscious day to day living out of the Francis-Clarean
Spirituality of JPIC expressive of a life manifesting in our
life of minoritas and loving service. This moves us to
discover God’s presence in the whole universe, making it
sacred, being brothers and sisters to all creatures.

A transformed life through a sustained living out of the

Francis-Clarean spirituality of the JPIC based on the SEE-
JUDGE - ACT framework generates creative and meaning-
ful response to the demands of the religious life, the church,
the ministry and life situations, in the personal and
communal levels.
5. Formation to Mission
Formation to mission empowers the Sisters to witness to the
life and mission of Christ in the world and to assume their
responsibility to foster its transmission to the next
generation. The Francis-Clarean of JPIC is integral to the
development and formation of the Sisters in their ministries.
Focus will be given to instilling the internal qualities that are
specifically useful for a good missionary, and the missionary
values.

Efforts to continually hone God-given talents and

capabilities is a challenge to quality service and a fuller
commitment to Jesus Christ and the Gospel, the mission of
the church, the charism of the Congregation, and a creative
and relevant response to where they are called and are best
fit to serve, in the spirit of openness, gratitude, simplicity and
love.

46
B. PROCESS
1. Conferences
2. Recollections
3. Retreats: Annual retreat for Silver and Ruby
30-day for Silver Jubilarians
4.Cluster Assemblies
5.Charism Journey
6.Mass mobilization
7.Renewal Programs: Level II – Summer Renewal
Silver and Ruby Jubilarians
8. Prayer/Reflection/Deepening/Integration

C. VENUE
1. Little Flower Retreat House, Baguio City
2. Provincial House Conference Room
3. La Verna, Marikina

D. DURATION OF PROGRAMS
Summer Renewal Program - 10 days inclusive of travel
days once in every four years.
Jubilee Renewal Programs - 6 months

E. LOGISTICS
The Local communities concerned provide for the
personal needs of the Sisters in Renewal Program. The
Province subsidizes the special/regular renewal programs.

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 ON-GOING LEVEL III

Harvesting
“Do you really love me? ... Lord, you know everything, you know
well that I love you… ‘Follow me.” (John 21: 15:19)
“My God and My All.” (Little Flowers of St. Francis 2)

I. INTRODUCTION
Harvesting is celebrating the fullness of God’s grace.

This Level starts from Ruby Jubilee until the final stage of a
Sister’s life. During this stage, the Sister realizes more than
ever what is real, essential and indestructible in life. She
contemplates her response to these words of Jesus: “Do you
really love me? ... Lord, you know everything, you know
well that I love you… ‘Follow me.” (Jn. 21: 15:19)

This is a period of unselfishness, gratitude, wisdom, peace,

and celebration leading to the positive integration of life and
death towards the fullness of life and union with the Triune
God with her prayer “My God and My All” (LFl 2).

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II. GOAL
The SFIC Professed Sister who through a continuing
process of conversion and transformation is progressively
growing towards a more authentic living out of her
commitment to Jesus Christ and His mission and a joyful
readiness for the coming of Sister Death which leads her to
fullness of life and the eternal union in love with the Triune
God.

III. OBJECTIVES
1. To live in joy and gratitude the Paschal Mystery with the
people of God in the service of mission as we envision
the fullness of life.
2. To facilitate the Sisters’ continuing renewal and
deepening in the different aspects of their life as
Franciscan women religious, according to the Spirit and
charism of Mother Teresia, towards greater authenticity
as disciples of Jesus Christ and a deeper union with the
Triune God.
3. To enable the Sisters to prepare, with gratitude, joy and
peace, for the final integration of their experiences with
the coming of Sister Death, as a necessary prelude to
eternal life in the Triune God.
4. To avail of the opportunities in as far as they are able to
update themselves in human, religious, Franciscan,
ecclesial, social, economic and political concerns
relevant to their life as Franciscan women religious.
5. To plan and implement, together with their Formation
Coordinator, their Renewal Programs which is held once
every four years and the preparatory program as Golden
and Diamond Jubilarians.
6. To maintain good health through physical fitness, well-
balanced nutrition, and adequate health-care.
7. To show a greater desire for prayer and contemplation
and love for Scriptures that will flow in community
living.
8. To demonstrate a positive attitude toward aging and the
coming of Sister Death.

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IV. PROGRAM
A. Content
A.1 Personal - Human Formation
1. Psycho-Sexual-Spiritual Development
A Seminar-Workshop that the Elderly Sisters will
undergo so as to pave the gradual acceptance,
preparation, attitude towards the eventuality of illness
(and death-dealing), integration of the different
experiences of one’s life: struggles and successes; joy
and pain; crosses and blessings and the welcoming of
Sister Death.
2. Wholistic Wellness
Creative aging through engagement in enjoyable and
profitable activities expressing their talents and artistic
abilities.
3. Fraternal Life in Community
The exercise of servant leadership which gives premium
to equality in relationships, co-learners and striving
towards unity, love and fullness of life.

A.2 Christian - Ecclesial Formation

1. Theology and Ecclesiology
The living out of SFIC charism and spirit in the
community, wherein the Sisters will see God with the
eyes of faith in their Sisters, environment and SFIC
Province. To be able to radiate Christ to others thus
making the presence grace-filled and laden with
blessings.
2. Sacred scriptures
A continuing re-reading of the Gospels in the perspective
of women to live out what they have discovered as
women’s contribution in terms of discipleship and
“mother-God”.
3. Formation to Prayer
Befriending moments of stillness, solitude wherein the
Sisters are given ample time and space to grow in their
intimacy with God no longer in many words but

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 becoming a life-giving presence wherein the Sister
disposes herself to be loved by God . . . thus moving to
be a PRAY-ER to GOD!

Some help-tips are given on how to accompany young

Sisters who come for Spiritual direction...as they pass on
the expression of this love-relationship with God to
others.
4. Liturgy and Sacraments
On-going information on the different ways and means
to participate meaningfully and live-out the Eucharist
daily in one’s religious life so it can effect sanctification
and transformation in the Sister’s life.

A.3 Religious - Franciscan Formation

1. Religious Life
The living out of one’s vowed life in joy, faithfulness, in
loving service (in whatever ways and means) the Sister
can be of help. . . all for the LOVE OF GOD! She lives
the life of Beatitudes.
2. Franciscan Spirit and Charism
The Elderly Sister is ushered into a new kind of ministry:
“Prayer-Warrior, Prayer-Tank” of the Congregation. She
brings all her experiences to prayer and gives the fruit of
her prayer to her “mission”. Prayer-Praxis-Prayer but
now more reflective, no longer result-oriented but more
fruitful endeavors in the eyes of God.
3. SFIC Heritage
The realization of the personal gifts God has gifted the
Sisters and the life gratitude evoked from their very
being as a way of acknowledging their own Magnificat .
. . and eventually say their Nunc Dimittis.
Passing on the heritage and legacy of the charism and spirit
of SFIC.
4. Franciscan Spirituality of JPIC
Living out of internalized values and of the FSJPIC as
the animating principle of SFIC life and mission.

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5. Formation to Mission
“For the Love of God”, the Sisters continue to live-out their
mission through the ministry of prayer, their passion for Christ
and compassion for humanity and all of creation. The
Beatitudes continue to be incarnated as a way of life towards
a joyful readiness for the coming of Sister Death.

B. PROCESS
1. Conferences
2. Recollections
3. Annual Retreat
4. Peer Group Sessions
5. Inter-Congregational sessions
6. Symposia/For a
7. Prayer/Reflection/Deepening/Integration
8. Ocular visits to places of historical/ Congregational/
Spiritual significance
9. Occasional visits of Coordinator to the 3 La Vernas
for bonding and “kumustahan sessions”
10. Area/cluster assemblies
11. Charism Journey

C. VENUE
La Verna: Marikina, Quezon City, Solano

D. DURATION OF PROGRAMS
1. Summer Renewal Programs - 10 days inclusive of
travel days once in every four years.
2. Jubilee Renewal Programs - 6 months
 Golden and Diamond Jubilarians: according to
need and physical/mental capability
E. LOGISTICS
The Local communities concerned provide for the
personal needs of the Sisters in Renewal Program. The
Province subsidizes the special / regular renewal
programs.

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