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Interprovincial Novitiate |
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ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR |
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SAN DAMIANO FRIARY |
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HISTORY OF THE INTERPROVINCIAL NOVITIATE |
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San Damiano
Friary, Cedar Lake, IN |
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In the
summer of 1990, the Provincials of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Sacred Heart, and Saint John the Baptist agreed that it was time initiate an
Interprovincial Novitiate. The idea of a collaborative novitiate offered new
possibilities for an exciting future for the provinces and for the Order.
Although the number of novices per province was relatively small, with an
Interprovincial Novitiate, the novices would have the opportunity to have a
larger peer group to support them on their journey. Also, a collaborative
effort would allow for the novices to experience the greater Franciscan
charism rather than that of just their province. In 1993
a three Friar novitiate team was formed, with a friar representing each
province. To this day, the Interprovincial Novitiate at San Damiano is the
only novitiate in the Order that operates with a three Friar team of
directors. It was then decided that Northern Indiana was a good central
location for the three provinces. |
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In 1994,
Our Lady of Guadalupe Province decided to become part of the Interprovincial
novitiate, along with Immaculate Conception province, but both discontinued
in 1996. Currently, the program is back to the initial three provinces,
although it has changed much since 1990 and will continue to adapt in order
to best serve the novices, the Order and the Church. |
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Prayer of Discernment Most high, glorious God, enlighten the
darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope and perfect
charity, sense and knowledge Lord, that I my carry out Your
holy and true command. |