The Secular Franciscan Order was established by St. Francis of Assisi more than 800 years ago. Our purpose is to bring the Gospel to life where we live and where we work. We look for ways to embrace the Gospel in our lives and try to help others to do likewise.

Minister General’s Pentecost Letter – 2021 [English] [Español]

OFS-USA National Priority 2018-2021
Fraternity Life

Secular Franciscans live the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in fraternal communion. We have a specific way of being in the world, and a specific way of being together. This fraternal communion is a constitutive element of our vocation.

“Fidelity to their own charism, Franciscan and secular, and the witness of building fraternity sincerely and openly are their principal services to the Church, which is the community of love. They should be recognized in it by their ‘being’ from which their mission springs.” (General Constitutions, Art. 100.3)

Formation resources on “Fraternity Life” can be found here.

“May the fraternal bonds of community always be our help, so that we may reach the goal of perfect Christian love.” — from the Secular Franciscan Rite of Profession to the Gospel Life

Interested in joining the
Secular Franciscan Order?

Here are your next steps:

  1. Find a local fraternity using our interactive map (click here).
  2. Reach out to the contact person listed below the map for detailed information about when and where the local fraternity gathers.
  3. Visit the local fraternity to learn more about the Order and how to proceed on your Franciscan journey.

In the meantime, you can read more about membership in the Order by clicking here.

A selection from our Rule of Life:

The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people.

Christ, the gift of the Father’s love, is the way to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly.

Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel.

— Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order – Article 4

Key Documents

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