What is Formation?
Capuchin Formation
An Overview
“Francis was fascinated by the humanity and humility of God the Most High, who in Jesus makes himself poor and crucified, that he made the Gospel our form of life: that we should be brothers in order to be more fully human, like Jesus, and tell the story through the authenticity of our life lived in brotherhood.”
Religious Formation
is a process of both coming to know oneself as well as allowing oneself to be molded into the man or woman God is calling them to grow into. During this process, a man is welcomed into the community with other friars who aid them in their vocational discernment. These candidates, as they are called, participate in various ministries, learning to live a life of contemplative prayer, and over time, show signs of greater flourishing as they seek to be more intimately united with Christ.
For the friar,
this is a lifelong process; however, for the first years of their initiation into the Order, brothers undergo what is called “Initial Formation.” They are assigned an experienced friar who acts as their guide and advisor, walking with them as a brother on their journey to live the life God has called them to. Every man who wishes to enter the Order undergoes this period of intentional discernment. Praying, working, and living with the brothers allows for a fuller sense of both the demands and immense blessings of this life. There are 3 main stages of initial formation.
