Secular Franciscans, as the name implies, live their lives in the world rather than in religious communities. They may be single or married, women or men, in all walks of life. They live the Gospel in a Franciscan manner according to their own Rule which they profess after a period […]
Essentially Secular Franciscans live and do their work as anyone else does, but with a consciousness of trying to live the Gospel values in their lives especially in family and work life. In particular, their daily lives are most usually involved in the life of the parish (serving as lectors, […]
Yes, there certainly are. In fact there are more Secular Franciscan Saints than among all the branches of the Religious Franciscans combined. See our calendar of all the Secular Franciscan saints
St. Clare was born on July 16, 1194. Her baptismal name was Chiara Offreduccio. She is one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life, the […]
The church accepts the Secular Franciscan Order as part of the Franciscan family. Secular Franciscans are directly under the Pope. A number of the Popes, Pius IX (Papacy 1846-1878); Leo XIII (1978-1903); Pius X (1903-1914); Benedict XV (1914-1922); Pius XI (1922-1939); Pius XII (1939-1958) to Saint John XXIII (1958-1963), belonged […]
Yes, we do. The Secular Franciscan Order is open to young people above the age of 18 years. Young adults choose to participate as Franciscan Youth, known as YouFra. This group gives the young person the opportunity to learn about Francis, enjoy the fun and camaraderie of people their own […]
Secular Franciscans follow the way of life and spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi – the way of seraphic love. Saint Francis gave the Church a new Religious Order. In fact he founded three Orders, The Order of Friars Minor, Poor Clares and the Secular Franciscan Order (Third Order). Each […]
The “motto” of the Secular Franciscan Order is “…going from Gospel to life and life to the Gospel.” This is a process whereby Secular Franciscans use the Gospel to discern how to act in real terms during life situations. By developing a deep relationship with the Lord through prayer and […]
The Secular Franciscan Order is an Order within the Roman Catholic Church. It is divided into fraternities at various levels: local, regional, national, and international. The OFS is governed by the universal law of the Church; and by its own Rule, Constitutions, Ritual, and statutes. The interpretation of the Rule […]