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.

National Priority 
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.

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:

On various levels, each fraternity is animated and guided by a council and minister who are elected by the professed according to the constitutions.

Their service, which lasts for a definite period, is marked by a ready and willing spirit and is a duty of responsibility to each member and to the community.

Within themselves the fraternities are structured in different ways according to the norm of the constitutions, according to the various needs of their members and their regions, and under the guidance of their respective council.

— Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order – Article 21

OFS Governing Documents

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