Who are the Secular Franciscans, and what do they do?
The Secular Franciscan Order is a vocation, a Way of Life approved by the Church, for men and women, married or single, who are called to take an active part in the mission of Christ to bring “the good news of salvation” to the world. They live in the world, work for a living, but follow the Franciscan spirit without taking vows.
A Franciscan seeks to follow the Gospel way of life but with the specific guidance that can be found in the example of Francis of Assisi and through the lives of later Franciscans.
Secular Franciscans commit themselves to a life in Christ calling for a positive effort to promote Gospel attitudes among their contemporaries. They are united with each other in communities, through
which they develop a sense of direction according to the Gospel spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi.
FRANCIS, the saint known and loved the world over, was born at Assisi, central Italy, in the year 1181, the son of a wealthy merchant. He died there in 1 226, after a life in Christ that earned him the title Poverelo (little poor man). As a youth, Francis had a series of powerful incidents of conversion, including a vision in which Jesus told him to “rebuild my church, for it is falling into ruin.”
He found Jesus in the poor and suffering, especially the lepers. He and his followers became visible
exemplars of a literal Christian life. In the words of Pope Pius XI, “So lifelike and strikingly did the image of Jesus Christ and the Gospel manner of life shine forth in Francis, that he appeared to his contemporaries almost as though he were the Risen Christ.” Saint Francis attained this marvelous ideal by making the holy Gospel, in every detail, the rule and standard of his life.
Others wanted to live as Francis lived, men and women, married and single. Eventually, his followers were gathered into three distinct Orders of the Church. The First Order was for religious men (brothers and
priests, called friars); the Second Order was for cloistered nuns (Poor Clares); and the Third Order was for lay men and women, married or single, and the secular clergy. The Franciscan Third Order was originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, and it has endured for over eight-hundred years, with thousands of members world-wide.
At the time of Vatican II the lay vocation was clarified to mean the sanctification of ordinary life, of family, work, of every secular occupation. Thus the third orders were no longer to be seen as mere pious affiliations, but as having their own unique vocations to live the Gospel in the secular state according to the charisms of their founders.
Even eight hundred years after his death, in our day, the spirituality of Francis has a freshness and a modernity that inspires us with its simplicity and humility, with its call to follow Christ with passion. To follow Christ in “the radical, light-filled and joyful style” of Francis (as Felice Cangelosi describes it), to develop a personal experience of a relationship with Jesus Christ, as the way to true life.
Today, the Franciscan Third Order is approved and recognised by the Holy See by the official name of Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis (OFS,) or in English, the Secular Franciscan Order. “The Church expects from the Secular Franciscan order, one and only, a great service in the cause of the Kingdom of God in the world today… the Church expects from you, Secular Franciscans, a courageous and consistent testimony of Christian and Franciscan life, leaning towards the construction of a more fraternal and Gospel world for the realization of the Kingdom of God.”
Pope John Paul II, 2002 OFS General Chapter. See Christifedelis Laici (by Pope John Paul 11)
What do the Franciscans do?
The Secular Franciscan Order does not promote a particular work, but supports and challenges individuals to apply the distinctive Gospel spirit of St. Francis to their secular lives and careers. That spirit motivates everything Secular Franciscans think, say and do. Through the Franciscan way of life, Franciscans are joined with Jesus and joyfully walk with him in peace and strength on the path of salvation.
Secular Franciscans are organized into local fraternities, where they assemble each month as true spiritual families, in order to share and renew their commitments to the apostolic life of the Gospel. These gatherings include prayer, learning, and social time, and are an indispensable event in the Secular Franciscan’s life.
What is the process, and the spiritual commitment required to become a Secular Franciscan?
The process is one of discerning, or verifying a true vocation to the Order, through a period of formation, which basically consists of studying and associating with the Franciscans. There are stages, and it takes about three years, sometimes more based on the circumstances. Eventually one makes permanent profession to the Order. It’s not like a club or a prayer group; it’s a vocation to a way of life. Like the other orders, the OFS has a Rule of Life, and the profession is a commitment to follow the Rule.
The Admonitions
Francis has left some writings although he was not a learned theologian. He knew Scripture well and was engaged in contemporary issues that mattered to Christians. His writings still offer practical guidance that is relevant today.
Among these we find “The Admonitions”, written for the brothers who had joined his movement, designed to teach the brothers how they should treat others, based on their lived experience. These short teachings follow the style of the beatitudes so begin “Blessed is” (sometimes translated as ”Happy is”).
Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and cannot repay him as when he is well and can repay him (Admonition XXIV).
Blessed is the servant who loves and respects his brother as much when he is far away from him as when he is with him. And would not say anything behind his back that he would not say with charity in his presence. (Admonition XXV).
From: Francis of Assisi: Early Documents. Volume 1 The Sainted Armstrong, Hellmann and Short.
Respect for the dignity and worth of every person
These are some of the aspects of Franciscan Spirituality. The richness and depth of God’s love for all people and creation.
- Respect for the dignity & worth of every person
- Living both an active and a contemplative life
- Care for creation
- Praising and thanking God
- Belonging to a community
- A spirit of detachment
- A spirit of service
Do you feel called to the Franciscan spirit or are interested in finding out more about the Secular Franciscans?
If you’d like to find out more please click the link to take you to the contact page. https://ofsgb.org/contact-us/
Thank you. Peace & all good.