Is the Secular Franciscan Order for you? FAQ

Getting to know the SFO better may be a way to determine if you have a vocation.
     Don't say no...WHY? Because God won't stop calling until you answer. 

It is a community of Catholic lay men and women who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Founded by St. Francis 800 years ago, the Order was originally called the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. The Order is recognized by the Vatican with the official name of Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis (OFS). 

Basically, Secular Franciscans live out their life as anyone else does, but with the very conscious effort of trying to live a Gospel life. "From Gospel to life and life to Gospel".  They are also usually very involved with the Church - serving as lectors, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, sacristans, Parish Council members, volunteers...etc.  Brother and sister Fransciscans try to pledge themselves to live the spirit of the Beatitudes and, in a special way, the spirit of poverty. They pledge themselves to reduce their own personal needs (and material needs as well) so as to be better able to serve their brothers and sisters. 

Secular Franciscans follow the way of life and spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi - spreading the  peace and love of Christ through peacemaking and serving the marginalized. Saint Francis actually gave the Church three Orders: The Order of Friars Minor, Poor Clares and the Secular Franciscan Order (Third Order) - each having it's own Rule of Life. There were other groups of lay people, at this time: the Secular Dominicans and the Secular Carmelites - each following the particular charism of the founder. St. Francis' charism....humility. He got off of his horse to serve and  to love. 

The process of becoming a professed Secular Franciscan is a journey that involves three separate stages and concludes in a lifelong commitment to live the gospel following the exampleof St. Francis of Assisi. 
The first stage: Orientation. This stage provides for dialogue and development  with relationships in the fraternity. During orientation you will be introduced to the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare and share in Franciscan prayer life. You will be given general information about the Secular Franciscan Order. Orientation is a time to discern if the Spirit is calling you to a Secular Franciscan vocation. This will last for three months. 
The second stage: Inquiry. Now you are formally in the initiation period of your discernment. It is a time of in-depth study of the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare. During Inquiry you will learn about the Franciscan charism and the Franciscan history. You will deepen your understanding of what it means to be a Secualr Franciscan. You will continue in discerning if the Spirit is calling you to the Secualr Franciscan way of life. This period of Inquiry is a minimum of six months. If a vocation is discerned, the inquirer is received into the Order.
The third stage: Candidacy. This is the final formal period of initiation. It is a time of preparing for permanent commitment by immersion into fraternity life.  Central to this stage of formation is: Article 4 of the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order which states, "to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people." This period of Candidacy is a minimum of 18 months and leads to permanent commitment to the gospel life. 
After profession of the Rule and permanent commitment to the gospel way of life, the newly professed member joins the rest of the fraternity in ongoing formation. 

The Secular Franciscan Order is divided into Fraternities at various levels: local, regional, national, and international. Each of these fraternities is guided by its council and a minister.  They are also guided by a spiritual assistant. 

They do not wear robes. They do, however, wear the Tau Cross.