Secular Franciscan Order

The Secular Franciscan Order, formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis, is an official religious Order within the Catholic Church.

The Secular Franciscan Order provides an opportunity for lay catholics and non-order Religious to live a Gospel way of life as established by St. Francis of Asisi in the Franciscan Rule. Members live their everyday lives in the world and regularily come together in Fraternity. This way of life is a religious vocation, a spiritual calling to make Christ the inspiration and center of their life with God and the Holy Spirit.

Becoming a Secular Franciscan:

The process of Discernment through which a person may discover a vocation to the to the Secular Franciscan life involves three phases;

First, an inquiry period during which the individual discovers and shares the story of God’d involvment in their life, and hewars an introduction to the Franciscan story, as well as the story of the Catholic church. This period lasts several months.

Second, admission to a candidacy phase (novitiate) lasting at least one year or more. Durring this time , a person who has sensed a possible call to the orderlearns about the life of St Francis, the history, structure and purpose of the Order, and the rule of life. He/she becomes a part of the fraternity’s life and ministry.

Finally, commitment (profession) to living the rule either for a time (one year, renewable for three years) or for life, celebrating a promise to live according to the Rule Of The Secular Franciscan Order, “observing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St cis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and center of his life with god and people…”