INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS

CHAPTER IV

Spiritual Introduction

CURRENT TEXT DRAFT TEXT MOTIVATION Current Chapter V: The Apostolic Life of the Friars Spiritual Introduction

Chapter IV: The Mission of the Friars Spiritual Introduction

Motivations: We chose to use the word “mission” to indicate all the activities of the friars: manual, intellectual, and pastoral work as well as evangelization, in line with the indications of Redemptoris Missio, 41-60 and Vita Consecrata, 72, 96-99. This wider concept of “mission” includes the traditional understanding of missio ad gentes.

a) St. Francis understood the mission of Jesus in this way: “Let us, therefore, hold onto the words, the life, the teaching of the Holy Gospel of Him Who humbled Himself to beg His Father for us and to make His name known saying: ‘…Father, I have made Your name known to those whom You have given me. The words You gave to me I have given to them...As You sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world’”1.

We created a new number in order to base our mission on that of Jesus and Francis.

a) Our Seraphic Father St. Francis, who considered the ability to work a vocation and called it a grace, acknowledges: “I worked with my hands, and I want to work; and I earnestly want all the other

We joined together the ideas of these two paragraphs and moved it to i).

1 ER, 23: 41-42; 51.

brothers to work at some honest occupation” (Test.). “The brothers who know a trade should work and exercise the trade they know, if it is not contrary to the good of their soul and can be done honestly” (Rnb 7). “Those who do not know how, should learn, not for the sake of the pay but for the example and to banish idleness” (Test.) All the brothers should endeavor to work hard in good works...Wherefore, the servants of God should be always busy in praying or doing good” (Rnb 7). b) Francis also indicated the dispositions or attitudes of Friars at work: “ ' ..(they) should do their work faithfully and devotedly so that, in avoiding idleness, the enemy of the soul, they not extinguish the spirit of holy prayer and devotion to which all other temporal matters must be subordinate” (Rb 5). “All the brothers wherever they may be among people for service or work... should not be superintendents... nor accept any position that may cause scandal or bring harm to their soul; rather, they should be lesser brothers and subject to everyone...” (Rnb 7).

c) Our Father St. Francis, called by the Lord Christ to apostolic service in these words: “'Francis, go, repair my house which as you can see is falling completely to ruin,' prepared himself to obey and dedicated himself entirely to the command” (2 Cel 10). When he heard the words of the gospel about the mission of the apostles, “intensely exulting in the spirit of God, he said: 'This is what I want, this is what I seek, this I long to do with all my heart”' (1 Cel 22). For Francis, a man who was catholic and apostolic, “did not consider himself a friend of Christ unless he loved the souls whom Christ had loved” (2 Cel 172).

b) Our Father Francis, after receiving at the crucifix of San Damiano the mission from the Lord Christ to restore His Church and then hearing the Gospel account of the apostolic mission, exclaimed: “This is what I want, this is what I seek, this is what I desire with all my heart”2. From this moment on he dedicated himself with untiring zeal to proclaiming the Gospel. Even when he fell ill he continued his commitment to mission by turning to writing: «Because I am the servant of all, I am obliged to serve all and to administer the fragrant words of my Lord to them. Therefore…I decided to offer you in this letter and message the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the

We recounted the mission experience of Francis using both his own words and early biographies.

2 1C, 22.

Word of the Father, and the words of the Holy Spirit, which are spirit and life”3.

d) Francis, the herald of the great King, preached in many regions “...the way of the Son of God and the doctrine of truth by example” (I Cel 891) and he commanded his brothers: “Go, dearly beloved, two by two into the different parts of the world, announcing to men peace and repentance unto the forgiveness of sins; and be patient in tribulation...” (1 Cel 29). And he encouraged their efforts: “For this is the reason he has sent you into the whole world, so that by word and example you may bear witness to His message and convince everyone that there is no one almighty besides Him” (EpOrd).

c) When he received the gift of brothers4, he sent them two by two to evangelize and to announce “peace to the people and penance”5. He exhorted them: “Give praise to Him because He is good; exalt Him by your deeds; for this reason He has sent you into the whole world: that you may bear witness to His voice in word and deed and bring everyone to know that there is no one who is all-powerful except Him”6.

We recounted the missionary experience of the early friars using the writings of St. Francis instead of the biographies.

d) Blessed Francis urged the friars to be in communion with the Church and to be obedient to the Ministers as they fulfilled their mission: “Let no brother preach contrary to the rite and practice of the Church or without the permission of his minister. Let the minister be careful of granting it without discernment to anyone”7. “The brothers may not preach in the diocese of any bishop when he has opposed their doing so”8.

We added the following numbers to highlight certain characteristics of Franciscan mission.

e) The Seraphic Father urged the friars to keep the good of their audiences in mind during evangelization: „Moreover I admonish and exhort those brothers that when they preach their language be well-considered and chaste for the benefit and edification of the people, announcing to them vices and virtues, punishments and glory, with brevity, because our Lord

3 2LtF, 2. 4 See Test, 14. 5 1C, 29. 6 LtOrd, 8-9. 7 ER, 23: 1. 8 LR, 9: 1.

when on earth kept his word brief”9. f) Francis exhorted the friars in different ways to live

the Gospel life on mission: “We must rejoice, instead, when we fall into various trials and, in this world, suffer every kind of anguish or distress of soul and body…”10. “When the brothers go through the world, let them take nothing for the journey...”11. “Let the brothers not quarrel… or judge others when they go about in the world, but let them be meek, peaceful, modest, gentle, and humble, speaking courteously to everyone… Into whatever house they enter, let them first say: Peace be to this house!»12.

e) For the servant of the most high God, Francis, on leaving the Saracens, “ '..walked the land and furrowed it with the plow of his word, sowing the seed of life-bearing fruit” (1 Cel 56). He sent his Friars as missionaries to the nations and wrote: “whoever by divine inspiration may wish to go among the Saracens and other unbelievers may go with the permission of his Minister and servant. The Minister should give them permission and raise no objection, if he sees them fit to be sent; for the Minister shall have to give an account of it to the Lord if he acts imprudently in this and like matters. The Friars who go, however, can conduct themselves spiritually among unbelievers in two ways. One way is not to quarrel and argue, but to be subject to every human creature for God’s sake and so profess themselves to be Christians. “The other way is to proclaim the word of God,

g) The Seraphic Father inserted into his Rule the novelty of mission among non-Christians: “Let any brother, then, who desires by divine inspiration to go among the Saracens and other unbelievers, go with the permission of his minister and servant. If he sees they are fit to be sent, the minister may give them permission and not oppose them…”13.

We divided this number into two to highlight both Franciscan novelty and Franciscan methodology in missio ad gentes.

9 Ibid., 9: 3-4. 10 ER, 17: 8. 11 Ibid., 14: 1. 12 LR, 3: 10-13. 13 ER, 16: 3-4.

when they see it pleases the Lord, so that they may believe in God almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit…and be baptized and become Christians” (Rnb 16). For, indeed, “he believed that obedience to be the highest in which flesh and blood have no part, by which through divine inspiration, one goes among unbelievers, either to save one’s neighbor or out of a desire for martyrdom. To request this obedience, he considered very pleasing to God. (2 Cel 152). All the Friars, however, should always bear in mind these words of admonition of our Seraphic Father: “So it is a great shame for us servants of God that the Saints did all these deeds and we by recounting them, want to have the glory and honor” (Adm 6). h) For St. Francis the Gospel must first be witnessed in

life, and then proclaimed in words: “As for the brothers who go, they can live spiritually among the Saracens and nonbelievers in two ways. One way is not to engage in arguments or disputes but to be subject to every human creature for God’s sake and to acknowledge that they are Christians. The other way is to announce the Word of God, when they see it pleases the Lord in order that [unbelievers] may believe… and become Christians...”14.

i) Father Francis also said: “Let all the friars ... preach by their deeds”15. One of these deeds is “the grace of working...”16. “And I worked with my hands, and I still desire to work; and I earnestly desire all brothers to give themselves to honest work. Let those who do not know how to work learn…”17. In every place and in

We added a further citation from St. Francis to expand the discourse to work and every good deed.

14 Ibid., 16: 5-7. 15 Ibid., 17: 3. 16 LR, 5: 1. 17 Test, 20-21.

everything, “servants of God must always apply themselves to prayer or some good work”18.

j) St. Francis exhorted the friars not to glory in the successes of their activities: “In the love that is God, therefore, I beg all my brothers—those who preach, pray, or work, cleric or lay—to strive to humble themselves in everything, not to boast or delight in themselves or inwardly exalt themselves because of the good words or deeds or, for that matter because of any good that God sometimes says or does or works in and through them...”19. Instead the friars are to attribute it to God “from Whom all good comes…”20.

We created this new number as a summary text of Franciscan mission.

Title I: The Basic of Franciscan Mission

CURRENT TEXT DRAFT TEXT MOTIVATION Title I: The Basis of Franciscan Activity

Title I: The Basis of Franciscan Mission

120 - §1. Since they share in various and specific ways in the Church's ministry, established by God to spread the kingdom of Christ throughout the world to the glory of God the Father, and thus to make all people partakers of the saving redemption, and through them to direct the entire universe to Christ, the Friars should strive zealously to lead apostolic lives completely directed to this same goal.

88. §1. The Son of God was sent by the Father into the world with a precise mission: to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord21. He then entrusted to the Church the mission of proclaiming and establishing the Kingdom of God throughout the world22. For this reason evangelization is the grace and calling of the Church, its deepest identity23.

We noted the foundation of mission, citing a Gospel text and two magisterial ones.

18 ER, 7: 12. 19 Ibid., 17: 5-6. 20 Ibid., 17: 17. 21 See Luke 4: 18-19. 22 See LG, 5.

§2. The friars, by their profession of the evangelical counsels, participate in the mission of the Church in a particular manner. Within their very calling is included the task of devoting themselves completely to mission, because the entire consecrated life, under the action of the Holy Spirit, is mission24.

We included a new paragraph concerning the mission of consecrated life, referencing a magisterial text and moving a phrase from the current 121§1 here.

§2. The Order shares in and exercises this ministry through all its members and in different ways, namely, through the Friars who have received Sacred Orders, or through the Friars who, sharing in this same ministry by virtue of their Christian and religious vocation, fulfill a role in the mission of the Church.

§3. All the friars, following the example of Christ and St. Francis, are to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to every creature, actively participating in the Church’s mission of evangelization. Their entire religious life, therefore, is to be imbued with an apostolic spirit and all their apostolic work is to be informed by a religious spirit25.

We condensed the content of two paragraphs, updating language and referencing magisterial texts.

§3. Since our Seraphic Father intended that he and his Order should share in the mission of the Church through apostolic activity, the Friars should diligently engage also in external works of the apostolate. Their entire religious life, therefore, should be imbued with an apostolic spirit and all their apostolic work should be informed by a religious spirit.

121 - §1. By their profession of the evangelical counsels the Friars consecrate all their energies in a special way to the proclamation of Christ's message in word and deed and to the dispensation of His grace, so as to be able to instill the spirit of the gospel in diverse communities and spheres of life and give witness to the coming of Christ's kingdom.

89. By means of their consecration and their work of evangelization the friars offer a valuable contribution to the mission of the Church; they thus become credible witnesses of the Kingdom of God in the world in the measure by which they live out the charism given to them by the Holy Spirit. For this reason they evangelize first and foremost by the witness of a prayerful, poor, simple, joyful, and fraternal life, which is already in itself evangelizing26.

We updated language and condensed two paragraphs into one.

§2. The primary apostolate of the Friars is to live the gospel life among people in charity and poverty, in

23 See EN, 14. 24 See VC ,72. 25 See PC, 8 and CIC, canon 675, §1. 26 See VC, 72; Fraternal Life in Community, 54; CIC, canon 673.

simplicity and humility. 122 - §1.Whatever kind of work the Friars may do, it should always manifest the true quality of fraternity and minority.

90. §1. Whatever kind of mission undertaken by the friars, it is always to manifest the values of fraternity and minoritas, which are proper to the Conventual Franciscan charism and are prophetic signs of a world to come.

We updated language.

§2. As true Friars minor they should make themselves available to all for the service of the Church and the assistance of others. They should undertake humble tasks joyfully, even without compensation. In choosing among suitable means of work they should select the poorer and employ the simpler methods.

§2. As Friars Minor they always are to make themselves available for the service of the Church and for the assistance of others. They are to undertake the humblest of tasks joyfully, without expecting compensation. They are to choose the most suitable means of work and employ a simple style in their dealings with others.

We updated the language to underline the Franciscan traits of minoritas and poverty.

§3. The activity of the fraternity should express its interior unity and day by day become the leaven of a more effective apostolate.

We eliminated this paragraph because its content can already be found earlier, especially in 88 §§1-2 of the draft Constitutions.

123 - §1. Friars should work in such a way that they do not extinguish the spirit of prayer and devotion; rather, they should foster prayer more intensely and thus sanctify their work and make it fruitful.

91. Friars are to be generously dedicated to work and mission in such a way that they do not extinguish the spirit of prayer and devotion27. Rather, they are to be committed to fostering prayer more intensely and thus sanctifying their work and make it fruitful28.

We quoted St. Francis and updated language.

§2. From the very first stages of the Friars' formation great care should be taken to develop spontaneity and responsibility in prayer and work.

We moved the contents of this paragraph to the chapter on formation.

124 - §1. Works of the apostolate should be undertaken on the basis of a consensus among the Friars and should be assigned by the Superiors to individual religious after taking into account the quality and ability of the Friars.

92. §1. The friars undertake and share in the various works of mission and the apostolate on the basis of consensus and cooperation. The Ministers, Custodes, and Guardians are to assign these works, coordinate them, and guide them, taking into account the aptitudes and ability of the friars for the good of the fraternity and of the Church.

We updated language and better the entire number to underscore the links between fraternity, mission, and the friar’s personal gifts.

§2. All Friars, especially those experienced in specialized tasks and assignments should offer to

§2. All friars, after due communal discernment, are to be willing to place their talents at the service of other

27 See LR, 5: 2. 28 See CIC, canon 675 §2.

help other communities willingly and fraternally. fraternities that might be in need within the jurisdiction or in the rest of the Order.

§3. In planning and executing projects the Friars should, insofar as possible, work together as a group.

§3. The friars are to take care that their activities and projects for mission, both in their planning and execution, are to be an expression of a creative fraternity united together.

§4. The Friars should also be solicitous so that the obligations they take on will not hamper the unity or witness of the fraternity.

§4. The local fraternity is to approve the activities and missions of individual friars and coordinate them with other fraternal commitments, in harmony with the pastoral plan of the jurisdiction.

Title II: The Scope of the Mission of the Friars

CURRENT TEXT DRAFT TEXT MOTIVATION Title II: Areas and Forms of Franciscan Activity Title II: The Scope of the Mission of the Friars 125 - §1. The Friars may carry out their apostolate in many ways, either through pastoral, intellectual, and manual activity or also through the witness of their Franciscan presence.

93. §1. The friars, led by their Ministers, Custodes, and Guardians, carry out their mission either through pastoral, intellectual, charitable, or manual activity or through the witness of their Franciscan life and presence.

We updated language and underscored the role of leadership.

§2. Responding to the more urgent needs of their own time, with bold spiritual confidence and in accordance with the directives of the Church, Friars should attempt new approaches both in the choice and in the exercise of the apostolate.

§2. The friars are to respond to the more urgent needs of our time and to those of differing geographical or cultural areas. With bold spiritual confidence and prepared by proper formation29 they are to attempt new approaches and methodologies both for witnessing fraternal life30 and in the exercise of the apostolate appropriate to the times. To this end they are to make use of whatever means of cultural, social,

We took note of the cultural and geographical variety of the Order, and referenced a conciliar document which underlines the importance of formation.

29 See PC, 18. 30 See EN, 21.

or technological progress that are available, in accordance with the directives of the Church31.

§3. Although no form of the apostolate is foreign to the Order, nevertheless those activities should be chosen which are more urgent in view of the good of the Church and the needs of the times, places, and groups, abandoning those works which today are less effective or opportune.

§3. Although no form of mission or activity is foreign to the Order, the friars are to choose in the various places those activities which respond to the needs of the Church, are in line with the tradition of the Order, and in harmony with the Franciscan charism. As minors with nothing of their own, they are ready to abandon those works which are outdated or less opportune32.

We underlined that our activities are to be compatible with our charism and referred to a magisterial document.

§4. Friars should strive to know the society in which they live, to be in communion with it, and to give it their pastoral ministry.

§4. The friars, by listening to and in dialogue with the people among whom they live, are to come to know them, be in communion with them and offer them their pastoral ministry.

We enriched the content by stressing the importance of listening and dialogue.

126 - §1. The goal of the pastoral ministry of the Friars should be to bring the faithful, as sharers in the Eucharist who have been instructed through the preaching of the gospel in the plan of our heavenly Father and incorporated through the sacraments into the mystical Body of Christ, to unite their life and death in the paschal mystery with the sacrifice of Christ the Head.

94. The goal of the mission activity of the friars is to bring the Gospel to all people of any social condition in order to transform and renew humanity from the inside out33, by means of prayer, preaching, the sacraments, and discerning the signs of the times.

We created a single paragraph as a synthesis of the three paragraphs of the current Constitutions, referencing a magisterial document.

§2. The ministry of preaching and of the sacraments by which the Church makes Christ, the author of salvation, present is entrusted in a special way to Friar priests; however, the other Friars should make their own important contribution to this ministry.

§3. Through the ministry of preaching, faith is kindled in the hearts of unbelievers and nourished in the hearts of the faithful; through the ministry of the sacraments the union with Christ proclaimed in that preaching is brought about and deepened.

127 - Zealous care should be exercised to make our 95. The friars are to take care that the churches and We enriched content.

31 See GS, 44. 32 See VC, 71. 33 See EN, 18.

more imposing or famous churches centers of Christian life, of liturgical worship, and of specialized pastoral activity.

shrines entrusted to them are centers of joyful and fruitful Christian life which radiate witness, evangelization, catechesis, dignified liturgical worship, the sharing of Franciscan spirituality, and other creative pastoral activity as needed in the area.

128 - §1. Friars should exercise the ministry of the Word in accordance with their particular charisms and for the benefit and edification of their hearers, pointedly yet briefly applying the perennial truth of the gospel to the concrete circumstances of life, using also the more effective means of communication to this end.

96. §1. Friars are to exercise the ministry of the Word in accordance with their particular charisms by applying the perennial truth of the Gospel to the concrete circumstances of life, briefly34 and by using more effective means of communication appropriate to the times and the listeners.

We broadened the content to underline the importance of continual updating.

§2. Since preaching, the proclamation of the wonderful works of God in the history of salvation, namely, the mystery of Christ, must first draw on Sacred Scripture and on the liturgy as its sources, the Friars should read and listen to the Word of God daily so as to be better able to communicate to others the fruits of their own contemplation.

§2. Since preaching, the proclamation of the wonderful works of God in the history of salvation, must draw foremost upon Sacred Scripture, the friars are to read, listen to, and deepen their understanding of the Word of God, impressing it upon their hearts, so as to be better able to witness the life of Gospel and communicate to others the fruits of their own contemplation.

We enriched the content in order to connect the Word, prayer, and witness.

§3. Friars should proclaim the mystery of Christ and His gospel of peace, charity, and conversion, exhorting all to an upright life in accordance with the law of the gospel.

§3. Friars are to proclaim the mystery of Christ and His Good News of peace, charity, mercy, and conversion, exhorting people to an upright life of integrity in accordance with the life of the Gospel.

We deepened the content with evangelical values.

§4. In order to make their preaching of the gospel fully effective, Friars should be trained carefully and acquire special competence in pastoral preaching by constant practice.

§4. In order to make their proclamation effective, friars are to carefully prepare themselves in meditation and prayer, by regular updating, and in regular practice, in order to acquire greater competence in pastoral preaching.

We underscored preparation for preaching.

§5. It is the right of the Guardian to grant permission to preach in our churches and oratories to those whom he is certain have been approved as qualified by their Ordinaries35.

We relocated N.77 §4 of Chapter III of the current Constitutions here.

34 See LR, 9: 4. 35 See CIC, canon 765 and CCEO, canon 612.

129 - §1. Friars should regard the ministry of grace as the principal goal of the mission of the Church and within this mission the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice as the high point of the ministry of sanctification. For Friar priests the celebration of the Eucharist should constitute the principal apostolic action of their ministerial priesthood by which the sacrifice of the cross is continually made present and becomes in fact the sacrifice of the people of God. For the other Friars participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice should likewise constitute the principal apostolic action of their common priesthood.

97. §1. Since the Eucharist is the source and summit of the entire Christian life36, its celebration is to constitute for the friars their principal action and the most important apostolic action of their ministerial and common priesthood.

We synthesized content and cited a conciliar text.

§2. According to their particular state, Friars should dispense the other sacraments, together with all the Church's ministries and apostolic works, intimately united with and ordered to the Eucharist, with a promptness and zeal so as to promote sacramental life and a life of prayer, especially liturgical prayer, among the faithful.

§2. The other sacraments, rites, and acts of popular piety, which all flow from the Eucharist and are ordered toward it37, are to be celebrated zealously by the friars, so as to promote a deeper sacramental life and more profound prayer among the faithful.

We cited a conciliar text and updated language.

§3. Friar priests should devote themselves with particular zeal to the administration of the sacrament of penance or reconciliation, keeping in mind both the human condition, so much in need of continual renewal and increase of God's grace, and the goodness of our Redeemer who does not will the death of the sinner but that he be converted and live.

§3. Following Christ who welcomed sinners, friars are to remain close to those who by sin experience human weakness, and are to proclaim to them the tremendous mercy of God, who does not will the death of sinners but that they be converted and live38. Friar priests are then to administer the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation diligently and compassionately, keeping in mind human dignity.

We widened the topic, referenced Scripture, and advised a benevolent attitude towards sinners.

130 - §1. Friars should strive to bring back those who have fallen away from the practices of Christian life into living union with Christ.

98. §1. Friars charitably are to seek out those who have lost their faith or who have fallen away from the practices of Christian life or from the Church, in order to bring them back into living union with Christ.

We enriched content and took into account the actual state of Christianity.

36 See LG, 11. 37 See SC, 10. 38 See Ezechiel 33: 11.

§2. Friars should take special care of the sick and, therefore, they should visit them frequently and provide them ample opportunity to receive the sacraments. Likewise, they should carefully prepare the dying for a holy passing to eternal life.

§2. Following Christ who traveled through cities and villages healing every kind of illness39, and following St. Francis who had mercy upon lepers40, friars are to take special care of the sick and infirm. They are to visit them frequently, provide comfort for them, administer the grace of the sacraments, and at the proper time prepare them to meet Sister Death.

We enriched content with examples of Christ and Francis.

131 - Friar priests, who are consecrated for the office of the presbyterate, should remember that they, too, are the providential assistants of the Episcopal Order in meeting the increased needs of people. The other Friars, who also form part of the diocesan family in a special way, should provide important help to the sacred hierarchy.

99. The friars are to live in communion with the local Church and work with the Bishop, clergy, other religious men and women, and the laity. They are to participate in and cooperate with diocesan projects, enriching the local Church with the Franciscan charism41.

We updated language.

132 - §1.With a view toward the good of souls the Friars may accept parochial responsibilities, even on a temporary basis; always, however, in such a way as to be able to give effective testimony before the people of God to their minority and fraternity in their life and work.

100. §1. In a spirit of service to the Church, the friars may also accept parochial responsibilities, but in such a way as to be able to live out their own vocation and give effective testimony to their minoritas and fraternity in their life and work.

We updated language.

§2. Moreover, the greatest care is to be taken that in these parishes apostolic life is coordinated with the observances of Friary life. Therefore, insofar as possible, no parishes are to be accepted where a community cannot be formed.

§2. The Ministers are not to accept parishes wherein the possibility of living a true fraternal life is not foreseen.

We strengthened the caution in accepting parishes.

101. The friars are also to be engaged in popular preaching, spiritual direction, retreat ministry, and pastoral care in prisons and hospitals and among the marginalized.

We added a new number to highlight traditional ministries.

102. §1. In traditionally Christian countries which are in part dechristianized, the friars are to find the

We created a new number with three paragraphs, to highlight evangelization in three different

39 See Matthew 9: 35. 40 See Test, 2. 41 See CIC, canon 675 §3.

energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to proclaim the Gospel with the witness of their lives and with new pastoral methodologies.

contemporary settings.

§2. In countries with a more recent Christian tradition, the friars are to incarnate the Gospel and proclaim it in a language accessible to people of different cultures and social conditions.

§3. Since modern societies are becoming ever more ethnically, culturally, and religiously complex, the friars are to seek to dialogue and maintain good relationships with people of other cultures, other Christian denominations, other religions, and non-believers. They are to work with them in the commitment to respect religious freedom, to promote spiritual, moral and sociocultural values42, and to build a more human world.

133 - §1. Mindful of the calling of all the laity to the apostolate, Friars should work fraternally with them in and for the Church and have a special concern for the laity in their apostolic endeavors. Friars should not take on duties which by their nature are better suited to the laity.

103. §1. Friars are to recognize and appreciate the vocation and mission of laity in the Church43 and work in communion with them in their apostolic endeavors44. They are to gladly come to the aid of ecclesial groups which request their assistance, always granting priority to the life and works of the fraternity. The Friary Chapter always tries to harmonize these varying commitments.

We updated language to reflect contemporary ecclesiology.

§2. The Secular Franciscan Order should be promoted everywhere, in accordance with Const. n. 116. Moreover, knowledge of the spirit of St. Francis should be fostered among diocesan priests so that they, too, will join the Secular Franciscan Order, extend its activities into their parishes and societies, and then in

§2. The friars are to promote the Secular Franciscan Order everywhere. They are to share with its members reciprocal communion in life and mission, to work with them and support them in the activities they undertake by reason of vocation and charism45.

We updated the language to reflect the new reality of the SFO in their Rule. We relocated the theme of the clergy to §5.

42 See NAe, 2. 43 See LG, 30 and 37. 44 See VC, 74. 45 See The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, 14-19.

turn receive assistance from the members of the Secular Franciscan Order. §3. The friars are to care for the vitality and expansion

of The Franciscan Youth and of other Franciscan youth groups. They are to accompany young people along the Christian path of human and spiritual maturity, and explicitly invite them to share the beauty of the Franciscan charism.

We added a new paragraph to highlight Franciscan youth ministry.

§3. Likewise, Friars should zealously and devoutly develop the Militia of Mary Immaculate among the laity and clergy since it expresses more fully the Marian spirit of our seraphic Order and is rightly considered an outstanding form of evangelical apostolate.

§4. Friars are to promote the Militia of Mary Immaculate, since it well expresses the Marian spirit of the Seraphic Order and realizes an effective mission.

We updated the language and relocated the theme of the clergy to §5.

§5. The friars are to promote the knowledge of the spirit of the Secular Franciscan Order and the Militia of Mary Immaculate among diocesan clergy, so that they might foster their spread in their own communities.

This paragraph picks up the theme of the clergy from §2 and §4.

134 - Inspired by the spirit of that peacemaker, our Father Francis, Friars should take part in ecumenical activities. On becoming well-versed in ecumenism they should patiently and prudently endeavor by personal contact and group work, in accordance with the directives of the Church, to contribute to the realization of that fullness which the Lord wills for His Body.

104. Inspired by the spirit of communion of our Father Francis, the friars are to take part in ecumenical activities. They are to promote personal contact, meetings of prayer, charitable activities, and study groups, in accordance with the directives of the Church, so that the fullness of unity that the Lord Jesus invoked in prayer to the Father at the Last Supper46might be realized. They are to open their hearts to other Christians without suspicion or mistrust, and seek together reconciliation and peace in the One True God47.

We reworked this number by updating language and citing both the Gospel and a magisterial document.

135 - In the field of non-Christian relations, Friars can collaborate out of apostolic concern, within the limits laid down by competent ecclesiastical authority, in those projects whose immediate goal is the

This content is found in the draft Constitutions, 102 §3.

46 See John 17: 21-23. 47 See EG, 244.

promotion of human values. 136 - §1. Qualified Friars, evaluating social and economic problems wisely in the light of faith, should share to a certain extent in the life, needs, and trials of their fellow men and women so as to be able to assist them effectively.

105. §1. The friars are to deepen their understanding of social, economic, and cultural realities in the light of the Gospel and the social doctrine of the Church, in order to more effectively accompany their fellow men and women of our time. They are to listen to their trials, sufferings, and hopes, and join them in communal fraternal projects of solidarity48.

We updated language, enriched content, and referenced a magisterial document.

§2. Friars should cooperate as much as they can with all persons of good will in charitable initiatives, social welfare, and international solidarity to lead all people out of misery and ignorance into truly human conditions of life and to foster justice and peace among all.

§2. The friars are to promote conditions of greater justice and human dignity in favor of the poor and marginalized, considering them as the suffering flesh of Christ and as one with themselves49. They are to collaborate with people of good will in order to identify the structural causes of poverty, to place justice and peace at the center of their commitments to the least, and to take to heart the care of creation as our common house.

We updated language, enriched content, and referenced a magisterial document.

106. §1. The friars are to be committed to study, in the tradition of the Order50, as a means of holistic formation, as an extraordinarily timely task in the face of present-day cultural diversity, and as an expression of the desire for an ever-deepening knowledge of God51.

We created a new number and referenced a magisterial text.

137 - §1. Friars should promote scholarly activity and research particularly in the fields of Franciscan life and doctrine. The results of this research as well as the practical experiences of the Friars should be made public, by way of the various communications media, too. Permission of the Major Superior as well as that of the local ordinary is required to publish writings dealing with religion or morals (cf. can. 832).

§2. The Ministers and Custodes are to promote cultural activity and scholarly research in the fields of Franciscanism, Scripture, theology, philosophy, and in other sciences and technologies useful for mission.

We divided the paragraph into two and enriched the content.

48 See Ibid., 87. 49 See Ibid., 24 & 199. 50 See LtAnt, 2. 51 See VC, 98.

§3. The friars in their published writings dealing with religion or morals, both printed and digital, are to obtain permission of the local Ordinary as well as that of their Minister or Custos52.

§2. Friars attending institutes of higher learning, whether as teachers or as students, should give a witness of Franciscan life by joining love of truth with the wisdom and following of the gospel.

We eliminated this paragraph because witnessing Franciscan life is a task for all friars.

138 - §1. Friars who are qualified may participate in the apostolate of education or higher learning in institutes of any kind, even non-Catholic.

107. §1. Educational activity is an important element of the mission of the Order. The friars are therefore to be open to work in schools, either their own or state, private, or non-Catholic ones. They are to work together with other educators to offer a serious and valid Gospel witness in the wider culture.

We enriched content.

§2. The friars are to promote and foster alumni associations of their own educational institutions, so as to not interrupt the work of formation.

We moved current paragraph 4 here.

§ 2. Educational activities, whether teaching the arts and sciences or providing other services related to this work, are also to be considered among forms of the apostolate always open to the apostolic mission of our Order.

108. The friars are to be generously dedicated to social or charitable services, both their own and those of others, since this is also part of the mission of the Order.

We made the paragraph a self-standing number since it introduces a different topic.

109. Manual work in all its forms, both in service to the fraternity or outside of it, is a true contribution to the mission of the Order and the Kingdom of God.

The General Definitory added this number.

§3. At institutes and centers of information, Friars should help people to become imbued with the spirit of Christ so that they themselves may attend to the good of society and strive to relate all aspects of human culture to the message of salvation.

We eliminated this paragraph, since its content is found in the draft Constitutions 93 §2; 102 §3; 105 §§1-2.

§4. To avoid as far as possible any termination of the educational process, alumni associations imbued with the true spirit of the Church should be promoted.

We moved this paragraph above.

52 See CIC canons 218 and 832, and CCEO canons 21 and 662 §2.

139 - §1. All the Friars should work faithfully and devotedly, and if they are working under the authority of others, they should strive to carry out their contractual obligations obediently and with diligence.

110. §1. All the friars are to work faithfully and devotedly53. If they are working under the authority of others, they are to carry out their contractual obligations respectfully, honestly and in the spirit of minoritas54.

We referenced the Franciscan Rules.

§2. Whoever is blessed with a special charism should, under the guidance of competent authority and with the support of the other Friars, use it for the edification of the kingdom of God.

§2. Since the gifts of the Spirit are given to build up the common good55, whoever is blessed with a special gift is to use it for building up the Kingdom of God and the fraternity, under the guidance of the Minister, Custos, and Guardian and with the support of the other friars.

We referenced a Pauline text.

Title III: The Basic of the Mission and Activities of the Friars

CURRENT TEXT DRAFT TEXT MOTIVATION Title III: The Organization of the Friars’ Activities Title III: The Organization of the Mission and Activities

of the Friars

140 - It is the responsibility of the Provincial Chapter to examine whether or not the various apostolates of the Province are meeting the needs of the times and the mission of the Franciscan Order: whether they are well chosen; are carried out properly; have any witness value. The Chapter should also investigate whether the Province is capable of extending its work for the expansion of the kingdom of God among the nations, and whether it is ready to begin work in mission territory.

111. It is the responsibility of General, Provincial, Custodial, and Friary Chapters to study and assume pastoral activities and entrust them to suitable friars. Those activities are to be chosen which are in conformity with the Franciscan charism and the directives of the universal and local Church and which meet the needs of people, times, and places. In the same way it is the responsibility of those Chapters to choose new forms of mission and activities which better demonstrate the prophetic aspect of fraternity.

We highlighted the role of the entire Order in discerning new mission and activities.

141 - §1. It is likewise the right of the Provincial Chapter to investigate and determine the general apostolic program of the Province and to formulate Statutes in

112. §1. It is the responsibility of the Provincial and Custodial Chapter to investigate and determine the general pastoral program of the jurisdiction and to

53 See LR, 5: 1. 54 See ER, 7: 1-2. 55 See 1Cor., 14:2.

conformity with diocesan or regional decrees for those ministries requiring special guidelines.

formulate statutes in conformity with diocesan or regional decrees for those ministries requiring special guidelines.

§2. The Minister Provincial with the assistance, as the case may be, of his Definitory shall direct the activities of the Province according to the dispositions of the Provincial Chapter, with the cooperation of the Guardians and the opportune advice of the competent commissions.

§2. The Minister or Custos is to direct, guide, and coordinate the activities of the Province or Custody according to the plans of the Chapter, with the assistance of his Definitory, the cooperation of the Guardians, and the opportune advice of the competent commissions.

113. §1. The government of the Order is to promote and sustain active collaboration among the various jurisdictions, so that a better Gospel witness might be offered in the assuming of different forms of mission.

We created a new paragraph to foster collaboration among jurisdictions.

142 - §1. It will be the responsibility of the Conference of Ministers Provincial to coordinate those projects which the Provinces decide to implement through fraternal cooperation, and to devise appropriate means for fostering this collaboration.

§2. It is the responsibility of the Conferences and Federations of the Order to coordinate projects to which the jurisdictions are jointly committed, both in planning and implementation, and to devise appropriate means for fostering this collaboration.

We updated language.

§2. Attention should be given to those works which a Province could do better in collaboration with other Provinces and which contribute to the good of the whole Order

§3. The Ministers and Custodes are to foster within their jurisdictions the widest possible collaboration of the friars within the Conference or Federation and throughout the whole Order.

We updated language and enriched content to highlight the importance of collaboration.

§4. The Ministers and Custodes are to cooperate with the whole Franciscan family, with local Episcopal Conferences and conferences of major superiors, and with individual bishops to better coordinate pastoral initiatives.

We created a new paragraph to expand the notion of collaboration.

143 - §1. The Guardian should consider it his responsibility to direct the work of the community and to keep Friars who are engaged in different activities fraternally united.

114. §1. It is the responsibility of the Guardian, with the help of the Friary Chapter, to coordinate the work and activities of the fraternity, to assign tasks, and to keep friars who are engaged in different pastoral activities fraternally united.

We updated language.

§2. It is the responsibility of the Friary Chapter, without violation of the competence of the Superiors, to decide what temporary obligations are to be accepted or discontinued and, in order to strengthen the unity of

§2. It is the responsibility of the Friary Chapter, without violation of the proper rights of the Ministers, Custodes, and Guardians, to decide what temporary obligations are to be accepted or discontinued. It is

We updated language.

the Friars, to receive reports on the apostolate of each Friar and to discuss the individual apostolates.

furthermore to receive reports on and discuss together the pastoral activities of each friar56 in order to strengthen the spirit of fraternal communion.

§3. In accepting apostolates for which a written agreement is necessary or advisable, the Minister Provincial, after consulting with the Friary Chapter and with the consent of his Definitory, shall endorse only those agreements which explicitly define what pertains to the work to be done, to the personnel to be assigned, and to the economic aspect.

§3. In accepting pastoral activities for which a written agreement is necessary or advisable, the Minister or Custos, after consulting with the Friary Chapter and with the consent of his Definitory, is to endorse only those agreements which explicitly define all that pertains to the work to be done, to the personnel to be assigned, to financial obligations, and to the time-frame of the contract.

We updated language.

144 - §1. Superiors shall assign only those responsibilities to the Friars which are in harmony with a life according to the Rule. Activities should be coordinated with the exercises of common life.

115. §1. Ministers, Custodes, and Guardians are to assign to friars only those responsibilities which allow for a life according to the Rule. Activities are always to be coordinated with commitments to common fraternal life.

We updated language.

§2. In assigning apostolic tasks attention should be given to the religious, apostolic, doctrinal, and professional competence of the Friars, as well as to whether they are suitably informed regarding the social mores of today's society, its mentality, and thought.

§2. In assigning pastoral tasks and activities attention is to be given to the religious, pastoral, doctrinal, and professional competence of the friars. Their adequate continuing formation is to be provided for, in order that they may better accomplish their mission in the contemporary world.

We updated language.

§3. Superiors, especially the Minister Provincial, should take care to always have available a sufficient number of trained and experienced Friars. Whoever is skilled in any art or discipline should exercise it for the good of the Church with the permission of his Superior.

§3. Ministers, Custodes, and Guardians are to take care to form a sufficient number of trained and qualified friars in order to plan, encourage, and renew the various activities of the Order by means of an attentive discernment of the signs of the times.

We updated language and enriched content. The second part of the paragraph has been moved to the General Statutes.

145 - §1. In whatever ministry or work allotted them Friars should remain faithful to the observance of the Rule and obedient to their Superiors.

116. §1. In whatever ministry or work assigned them the friars are to be faithful to the demands of the fraternal life and the observance of the Rule and Constitutions, in obedience to their Ministers, Custodies, and Guardians.

We strengthened the ties of fraternal life.

§2. Friars under contract for any work are, as religious, subject to visitation and correction by the Minister

§2. Friars under contract for any work are, as religious, subject to visitation and correction by the Minister or

We updated language.

56 See CIC, canon 671.

Provincial and to supervision by their Guardian. In what pertains to the apostolic work itself they are also subject to the authority of the party with whom the contract is made.

Custos and to the supervision of their Guardian. In what pertains to the apostolic work itself they are also subject to the competent ecclesiastical or civil authority with whom the contract is made.

146 - §1. Friars assigned to the pastoral care of souls should, by opportune renewal, adapt their program and procedures to those of Episcopal Conferences and of diocesan and regional organizations.

117. Friars assigned to the pastoral care of souls are to adapt to the procedures of Episcopal Conferences and local dioceses regarding pastoral choices, programs, and criteria57.

We updated language.

§2. Cooperation with other Provinces and with institutions of the same region should be fostered, especially in mission lands.

We eliminated this paragraph because the content already appears in draft Constitutions 113.

147 - §1. Parishes may be accepted by the Minister Provincial with the consent of his Definitory, with due observance of all legal requirements, after having consulted with the Minister General and having forwarded a copy of the contract to him.

118. §1. After previous consultation with the Minister General, a parish may be accepted by the Minister Provincial with the consent of his Definitory, with due observance of all canonical requirements and of General and Provincial Statutes. A copy of the contract is to be forwarded to the Minister General in order to receive his approval prior to its signing.

We updated the language to reflect current practice, and referred to relevant statutes.

§2. In accepting a parish the Minister Provincial and the local ordinary shall draw up an agreement clearly specifying all conditions involved.

§2. In accepting a parish the Minister Provincial and the local Ordinary are to draw up an agreement clearly specifying all conditions involved58.

§3. Friars in the parochial ministry are subject to the bishops according to the norms of law in what pertains to their pastoral office and the care of souls. The parish books, which are subject to the inspection of the local ordinary, are likewise subject to the supervision of the Superiors of the Order.

§3. Friars in parochial ministry are subject to the local Ordinary according to the norms of law in what pertains to their pastoral office and the care of souls. Parish books and records, which are subject to the inspection of the local Ordinary, are likewise subject to the supervision of the respective Ministers, Custodes, and Guardians.

We updated language.

§4. Parishes are entrusted to the Province and, therefore, it is the responsibility of the Minister Provincial with the consent of his Definitory to present the Friar or, if pastoral care is entrusted to several

§4. Parishes are entrusted to the Province or Custody; it is therefore the responsibility of the Minister or Custos with the consent of his Definitory to present to the local Ordinary a friar for nomination as pastor

We updated language.

57 See CIC, canon 678. 58 See CIC, canon 520 §2.

Friars jointly, the Friar-moderator mentioned in can. 517, 1, to the local ordinary for nomination as pastor (cann. 520, 1; 682, 2). The same applies when presenting the rector of a church, treated in can. 556 (can. 557, 2). It is likewise the responsibility of the Minister Provincial, after consulting with the pastor, to present the parochial vicars.

[parish priest] or, if pastoral care is entrusted to several persons jointly, the friar-moderator59. The same applies when presenting the rector of a church60. It is likewise the responsibility of the Minister or Custos, after consulting with the pastor [parish priest], to present parochial vicars.

§5. Although in virtue of the written agreement the parish is entrusted to the Province, nevertheless, the pastor is directly responsible for it (can.520,1). He must work in association with his vicar assistants and avail himself of the cooperation of the other Friars in the community, who should willingly offer their help with the full approval and consent of the Guardian.

§5. Although in virtue of the written agreement the parish is entrusted to the Province or Custody, nevertheless, the friar pastor [parish priest] is directly responsible for it61. Parochial vicars, appointed by diocesan Ordinaries upon presentation by the Minister or Custos, are to collaborate with the pastor [parish priest]. The pastor [parish priest] is to request the help of the other friars in the fraternity with the full approval and consent of the Guardian.

We updated language.

§6. The Provincial Statutes should determine precisely the competence of the Guardian and of the pastor and what concerns the administration of parish goods, with due observance of general law. In regard to the length of the pastor's term of office, although he is removable according to the prescription of can. 682, 2, he should normally possess stability. Therefore, whatever is decreed in this matter by Episcopal Conferences is to be observed (cf. can. 522).

§6. Provincial and Custodial Statutes are to determine precisely the competence of the Guardian and of the pastor [parish priest]. It is the Guardian’s responsibility to maintain the right balance between parochial necessities and fraternal demands. In addition the same Statutes are to determine everything that concerns the administration of parish goods, with due observance of general law.

We updated language, specified the role of Guardian, and divided the paragraph into two (§6 and §10).

§7. The friar pastor [parish priest] is always to collaborate with his parochial vicars and staff, with diocesan offices, and with the parish pastoral council and the parish finance council. He is to make regular pastoral and administrative reports to the Friary Chapter and take the opinions of the friars into consideration.

We created a new paragraph to highlight the importance of collaboration.

59 See CIC, canons 517, §1; 520, §1; 682, §1, and CCEO, canons 281, §2; 282; 284, §2; 287, §2. 60 See CIC, canons 556 and 557, §2, and CCEO, canons 304 and 305 §§1-2. 61 See CIC, canon 520, §1 and CCEO, canons 281, §2; 282.

§8. In the case of proposed extraordinary parish expenditures of a significant amount, the friar pastor [parish priest] is to first present the project to the Friary Chapter and then to the Minister Provincial and his Definitory, taking their feedback into consideration before presenting the budget to the parish finance council. Provincial Statutes are to provide specific indications in this regard.

We created a new paragraph upon the suggestion of a Friary Chapter.

§9. The friar pastor [parish priest] is to propose first to the Friary Chapter and then to the Minister Provincial and his Definitory any long-term pastoral initiatives that might involve the service of the Franciscan fraternity, and take their feedback into consideration. Provincial Statutes are to provide specific indications in this regard.

Based upon its discussion of the preceding paragraph, the General Definitory added this paragraph.

§10. In regard to the length of the pastor's [parish priest’s] term of office, it is advisable that he possess some stability62, although he is removable according to the prescription of law63.

Title IV: The Mission of the Order in Different Cultures and Social Environments

62 See CIC, canon 522 and CCEO, canon 284, §3. 63 See CIC, canon 682, §2 and CCEO, canon 543.

CURRENT TEXT DRAFT TEXT MOTIVATION TITLE IV: The Missionary Activity of the Order Title IV:

The Mission of the Order in Different Cultures and Social Environments64

148-§1.Christ the Lord, sent by the Father who wills all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, evangelized the poor in order that all persons may become sharers in His divine nature. He entrusted the continuation of this very same mission to the Church. The Seraphic Order zealously endeavors to share in this mission, too, through its apostolic missionary activity.

119. §1. Christ the Lord, sent by the Father, in turn sent his disciples to the whole world to preach the Gospel65. Upon Jesus’ invitation our Father Francis wanted his friars to go and proclaim as witnesses the message of the Lord even among people of differing cultures66 and social phenomena67.

We reworked the paragraph by inserting Franciscan mission into the mission of Christ and His Church and by adding references.

§2. The Order should strive to foster and extend its missionary apostolate, accepted by our Father St. Francis as a mandate of the Church, both among people and nations commonly described as missionary and in churches long since established but presently in a certain state of decline or weakness and need.

§2. The apostolic mission of the friars in the world involves a serious commitment to pastoral activity in local Churches and the sharing of the Franciscan charism, which in turn is enriched through dialogue and the process of enculturation.

We completely rewrote this paragraph based upon the Directory for Missions.

§3. Each Franciscan presence in the world should be recognizable for its simplicity and moderation. The friars are to be on mission as brothers among brothers, witnessing with their lives that God is the Father of all, making of all people sisters and brothers.

We added a new paragraph to indicate the style of Franciscan mission, based upon the Directory for Missions.

149 - §1. Every care is to be taken to foster and promote the missionary spirit throughout the Order, especially in our seminaries, and prayers and sacrifices should be offered continually for the missions.

120. §1. Initial and continuing formation is to foster and deepen the understanding that, although Conventual Franciscan life is already mission in itself, the friars are called to take up the challenge and commitment of evangelization beyond the limits of their own culture. Love for the missions is to be promoted additionally through prayer, sacrifices, and experiences of solidarity.

We completely reworked this paragraph based upon the Directory for Missions.

§2. Friars should seek to arouse mission awareness §2. The friars are to arouse, share, and sustain mission We rewrote this paragraph based upon the Directory 64 See RM, 37 and VC, 96-99. 65 See Mark 16:15. 66 See ER, 24 and LR, 12: 1-2. 67 See ER, 9.

among the laity and to encourage responsibility for the missions among the faithful.

awareness among the laity, particularly among Secular Franciscans and members of the Militia of Mary Immaculate, by means of mission groups, volunteer experiences, mission days, preaching, prayer, and invitations to financial and spiritual solidarity.

for Missions.

150 - Should a Friar by divine inspiration wish to go to the missions he should request in writing the consent of his Minister Provincial who, after judging the suitability of the request, should not deny permission if he finds the Friar suited for the missions.

121. §1. Friars, who by divine inspiration feel called to go on mission to other cultures or different social phenomena, are to request in writing the consent of their Minister or Custos who, after sufficient discernment regarding the suitability of the request, is to grant permission68.

We updated language and made eferences to the Franciscan Rules.

§2. All friars are to be open to discernment regarding the call to go on mission to other cultures and social phenomenon when their Minister proposes it to them.

The General Definitory added this paragraph in the spirit of the draft Constitutions 92, §2.

151 - §1. The Ministers should see to it that before Friars leave for the missions they are prepared through specialized formation in spirituality, language, and missiology.

122. §1. The Ministers are to see to it that before friars leave for the missions ad gentes or for implantatio Ordinis, they are adequately prepared by means of specialized spiritual, linguistic, cultural, ecumenical, interreligious, and missiological formation.

We updated language.

§2. This formation should be so completed in institutions in the missions that the Friars will be ready to speak the native language fluently and correctly and will have deepened their knowledge of local religion, history, and culture.

§2. This formation is to be completed in institutions in the territory of the mission so that the friars are able to correctly speak the language of the people among whom they live and understand more deeply local ideas, religious beliefs, history, and culture. They are to be open to dialogue with all and attentive to the enculturation of the Gospel and Franciscan charism.

We enriched content regarding dialogue and enculturation.

§3. Such formation is to be carried on continually so that the missionaries may always be equal to the demands and avail themselves of the opportunities arising from changing times.

We deleted this paragraph since continuing formation is an obligation of every friar, as written in draft Chapter V.

152 - §1.All missionary activity of the Friars, and particularly the preaching of the gospel by word and deed, should aim at the spreading of the faith and the implanting of the Church.

We eliminated the first two paragraphs since their content is found above in draft Constitutions 88 §§1-3; 89; 90 §§ 1-2; 91.

68 See ER, 16: 3, and LR, 12: 1-2.

§2. Missionaries should endeavor to become part of their society, to accept and develop native values, and at the same time to be aware of the profound transformation occurring among peoples.

§3. To prevent divisions among Christians from becoming an obstacle to anyone's acceptance of the faith, the Friars should seek ways and means of collaborating correctly and prudently with the separated churches.

123. To prevent divisions among Christians from becoming an obstacle to anyone's acceptance of the faith, the friars are to seek opportune ways and means of collaborating correctly and knowledgeably with other Churches and Christian communities.

We updated language.

153 - §1. Since religious life affords a very precious and necessary aid to missionary activity, the permanent establishment of the Order should be pursued together with the implanting of the Church.

124. §1. Since religious life enriches missionary activity with very precious and necessary aid, the friars are to ensure, as much as possible, the stable presence of the Order in new cultures and social phenomena by means of clear fraternal and pastoral planning.

We updated language and clarified content.

§2. The Superior of the mission shall take care that all Friars foster native vocations and that these candidates are trained in the best way possible. He should also be very concerned that native sons be assumed gradually into positions of trust in the apostolate and in government.

§2. Both initial and continuing formation is to be a priority in new missionary presences. Attention is to be given to vocation promotion and to planning for the preparation of formators in collaboration with other jurisdictions of the Conference or Federation.

We divided the paragraph into two and reworked the text.

§3. Friars born in the new presence are to be prepared to assume roles of responsibility and government.

154 - §1. It is the responsibility of the Province to which a mission is entrusted to supply sufficient and capable missionaries as well as adequate means of support.

125. §1. It is the responsibility of the Province, possibly in collaboration with other jurisdictions, to plan the mission enterprise; to accompany the growth of the new presence through to its effective autonomy; to provide for the preparation of formators; and to ensure the sending of friars and economic assistance.

We reworked this paragraph based upon the Directory for Missions.

§2. A Province without its own mission should, to the extent possible, send missionaries and support to the missions entrusted to another Province or to those of the Order itself.

§2. Provinces are to collaborate with each other in opening new missionary presences, offering both friars and financial solidarity and fostering various types of twinning.

We reworked the paragraph.

§3. Such collaboration is to be coordinated by the Order and/or by the Conferences and Federations.

We added a new paragraph to foster collaboration in new missions.

§3. The secretary for the missions is to promote communication with the missionaries and those

§4. The General Secretariat for Mission Promotion, which assists the Minister General and his Definitory

We updated language.

activities aimed at fostering a missionary spirit. in all things regarding missio ad gentes and implantatio Ordinis, is to promote and foster a missionary spirit in the Order and collaborate with jurisdictional mission promoters.

§4. In accordance with the special statute, missionary activities of the Order are to be coordinated and directed by the secretary general for the missions. Wherefore, each year the Superior of the missions should send him a report on their spiritual, disciplinary, and financial situation.

§5. The activities of the General Secretariat for Mission Promotion are to be formulated in a special statute.