OFS Rule #3 – Adapting St. Francis’ Rule to the needs and expectations of the Holy Church in the conditions of changing times

Susan Ronan, OFS

By Susan Ronan, OFS
National Executive Council Secretary

It is appropriate that Rule 3 addressing the changing conditions of our world follows Rule #2. Kathleen Molaro’s article in Voices of Gospel Living last month included a reflection on our Order’s description as an “organic union.”

When I began my Franciscan journey 27 years ago (including my four years of Initial Formation), our Formation Director spent a lot of time delving into each article of the OFS Rule. It became clear that the other five Inquirers had totally different perspectives from mine. We all came from different life experiences.

I’ve been blessed to have served many years on the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Region’s Executive Council and had the opportunity to get to know my OFS brothers and sisters in this little corner of the United States. It didn’t take long to learn that the lifestyles blessings and challenges of the people on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, were different from those in Plattsburgh, New York. The past three years on the NEC have certainly opened my eyes and heart to the blessings and challenges experienced by many of you in the rest of the United States…and the rest of our Secular Franciscan world.

I wonder how St. Francis would propose to change our Rule if he were with us today? I bet he’d keep it as it is because every word of our Rule is so important…especially the last line, “It’s interpretation belongs to the Holy See and its application will be made by the General Constitutions and particular statutes.”

Rule #3 is so important because it encompasses every one of us under the loving protection of Holy Mother the Church.

OFS Rule Article 3

The present rule, succeeding “Memoriale Propositi” (1221) and the rules approved by the Supreme Pontiffs Nicholas IV and Leo XIII, adapts the Secular Franciscan Order to the needs and expectations of the Holy Church in the conditions of changing times. It’s interpretation belongs to the Holy See and its application will be made by the General Constitutions and particular statutes.