a) Reference to and continuity with VI PCO “Living Poverty in Fraternity”

- Foundation and model of our minority is Jesus Christ, the Word of God, who emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.., and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:7-8; VI PCO 1; Test. 19).
- How to highlight continuity and development of the theme in keeping with VI PCO ‘for Francis, the gospel ideal ofpoverty involved choosing minority” (Prop. 3);
- the renewed sense of brotherhood and the new problems in our society invite us to reconsider minority particularly from the communal-institutional-structural point of view to be in continuity with VI PCO (Prop. 4).

b) How to make evangelical minority a valid alternative in a world built on self determination and power?

- what does it mean “to be servants and subjects to every creature for love of God”? (2LF 47);
- What is involved in the invitation to be “pilgrims and strangers in this world”? (LR VI);
- Francis at his times made significant choices to live the life of brotherhood and poverty authentically. Which personal and institutional choices are necessary to give our life of lesser brotherhood an evangelical significance? (VI PCO Prop. 6).

c) What influence minority has on building up of an evangelical brotherhood?

- “Let all the brothers not have power or control in this instance, especially among themselves; And let no one be called prior, but let all be called a lesser brother in the same manner. Let one wash the feet of the other” (LR V, VI). No privilege should be introduced among the brothers (MP 39,40);
- Authority to be exercised as service in such a way that “the brothers who are ministers and servants of the others.., for so it must be that the ministers are the servants of all the brothers” (LR X); Interior freedom towards responsibilities (LegP. 83);
- Ability to alternate the ministries and detachment from every appropriation of authority “No minister or preacher may make a ministry of the brothers or the office of preaching his own, but, when he is told, let him set it aside without objection” (ER XVII);
- “The grace of working” an efficacious way of living as lesser brother (VI PCO. Prop. 14).

d) Our minority in the church

- What is implied by the expression of St. Francis, “so that, being always submissive and subject at the feet of the same Holy Church”(LR XII; LegP. 115);
- To reevaluate the assumption and direction of our institutional commitments in the Church; (1 C. 148) and the exercise of ordained ministry;
- A reflection on lesser brotherhood is the most appropriate place to consider our relationship with other churches and other religions (ER XVI).