Becoming a Franciscan, Part 2

OK, so after leaving the Cappuchins, and Molly and I started dating again, I decided to become an affiliate of the FSPA's. A sister became my spiritual director with whom I met every month for about a year. After the year was up I was eligible to apply to become a covenant affiliate, or AFSPA, which I did. I took my vows of poverty, chastity and obedience according to my own state in life for a period of three years. Subsequently I renewed two more times for a total of 13 years. My local group changed several times over the years, but my last one was probably the one that I felt the closest to. When we moved up to the Twin Cities, it was difficult to get into another local group simply because of distance, so I let my last AFSPA covenant expire.

After a couple years of floundering I realized that I really need to have an official Franciscan focus in my life. I looked at several options, including the SFO's, all of which I just wasn't quite interested in, so I kept searching. I found a group from Rocky Hill CT which I was interested in; I read everything on their website and made contact. Thus began a new chapter in my Franciscan journey. I now feel as though I'm heading in the right direction. My group is called the Franciscans of Divine Providence, an open and affirming non-roman affiliated Franciscan group under the protection of the Trinitarian Catholic Church (see link at right for the FDP website).

I've been journeying with another friend from the parish that I work at who is considering becoming part of the group as well. I officially finished my novitiate year last August and am ready to take my temporary vows, but I'm looking for a community to host the celebration.

I don't know where God will lead me ten years from now, but I do know I won't be where I am at right now. Life in the Roman church is a bit too concervative for me, let alone working for it. Molly and I have lots of things to talk through but priesthood isn't out of the question for me.