
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is a Catholic group of men and women who seek to observe the Gospel of Jesus by following the example of Francis of Assisi. Secular Franciscans are not under the direction of another institute and are not bound by public vows. They are called to make their own contributions, inspired by Francis, to create a civilization that embodies the dignity of the human person, shared responsibility, and love. The Secular Franciscan Order was the third of three families founded by Francis of Assisi and was previously known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, approved in 1978 by Pope Paul VI, guides members to observe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and follow the example of Saint Francis of Assisi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status | The Secular Franciscan Order is an Order within the Roman Catholic Church. |
| Membership | The Order is open to Catholic men and women, single or married, from all walks of life, who are at least 18 years old and not bound by religious vows to another religious order. |
| Governance | The OFS is self-governing but is governed by the universal law of the Church and by its own Rule, Constitutions, Ritual, and statutes. |
| Spiritual Guidance | Each fraternity receives guidance in spiritual matters from a spiritual assistant, usually a friar from one of the other Franciscan Orders. |
| Commitment | Secular Franciscans make a spiritual commitment to their own Rule and a public profession, but they are not bound by public vows. |
| Mission | Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, Secular Franciscans strive to make their own contribution toward a civilization in which the dignity of the human person, shared responsibility, and love may be living realities. |
| Devotion | Secular Franciscans are devoted to carefully reading the gospel and encountering the living and active person of Christ in their brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical activity. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Secular Franciscan Order is an Order within the Roman Catholic Church
- Secular Franciscans are not bound by public vows
- The Order is open to any Catholic, single or married, men or women
- Secular Franciscans are called to make their own contribution, inspired by Francis of Assisi
- The Secular Franciscan Order is divided into fraternities at various levels: local, regional, national, and international

The Secular Franciscan Order is an Order within the Roman Catholic Church
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is an Order within the Roman Catholic Church. It is the third branch of the Franciscan Family, founded by Francis of Assisi 800 years ago. The Order is comprised of Catholic men and women who seek to observe the Gospel of Jesus by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi.
Secular Franciscans are not like other third orders, as they are not under the higher direction of the same institute. They are not bound by public vows as religious people living in community are. Instead, they make a spiritual commitment to their own Rule, which was revised and approved in 1978 by Pope Paul VI. The Secular Franciscan fraternities cannot exist without the assistance of the first or second Franciscan Orders.
The Secular Franciscan Order is divided into fraternities at various levels: local, regional, national, and international. Each fraternity is self-governing and receives guidance in spiritual matters from a spiritual assistant, usually a friar from one of the other Franciscan Orders. 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 and the Constitutions belongs to the Holy See, while the interpretation of the Constitutions belongs to the General Chapter of the OFS.
Secular Franciscans are called to make their own contribution, inspired by the person and message of Francis. They should commit themselves to opposing every form of exploitation, discrimination, and exclusion and to creating worthy conditions of life for all. They promote the building of fraternity among peoples and attempt to be in the forefront in the field of public life.
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Secular Franciscans are not bound by public vows
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is a branch of the Franciscan Family, founded by Francis of Assisi 800 years ago. It is open to any Catholic in good standing, who is at least 18 years old, and not bound by religious vows to another religious order. Secular Franciscans are not bound by public vows, unlike the Third Order Regular (TOR) which grew out of the Third Order Secular and who do make religious vows and live in a community.
The Secular Franciscan Order is an Order within the Roman Catholic Church, 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 and of the Constitutions belongs to the Holy See, while the interpretation of the Constitutions belongs to the General Chapter of the OFS. Secular Franciscans are called to make their own contribution, inspired by the person and message of Francis, towards a civilization in which the dignity of the human person, shared responsibility, and love may be living realities.
The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, revised and approved in 1978 by Pope Paul VI, is presented together with Francis' Earlier Admonition and Exhortation, composed for the early penitents who came to him for instruction. The Constitutions of the Secular Franciscan Order incorporate new footnotes referencing Francis of Assisi: Early Documents (FA:ED). St. Pope John Paul II encouraged members to "Study, love, live the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order!".
The Secular Franciscan Order holds a special place in the Franciscan family circle. It is an organic union of all Catholic fraternities scattered throughout the world and open to every group of the faithful. In these fraternities, the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state. By their profession, they pledge themselves to live the gospel in the manner of St. Francis by means of this rule approved by the Church. Secular Franciscans, therefore, should seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in their brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical activity.
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The Order is open to any Catholic, single or married, men or women
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is a self-governing Catholic order open to any Catholic in good standing, over the age of 18, and not bound by religious vows to another religious order. It is made up of both the laity (male and female non-clergy) and secular clergy (deacons, priests). Secular Franciscans are not like other third orders, as they are not under the higher direction of the same institute. Brothers and sisters of the Secular Franciscan Order make a spiritual commitment (promises) to their own Rule, and Secular Franciscan fraternities cannot exist without the assistance of the first or second Franciscan Orders.
The Secular Franciscan Order was founded by Francis of Assisi 800 years ago and was originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. Secular Franciscans are called to make their own contribution, inspired by the person and message of Francis, towards a civilization in which the dignity of the human person, shared responsibility, and love may be living realities. They should commit themselves to opposing every form of exploitation, discrimination, and exclusion, and to creating worthy conditions of life for all.
The Order 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 and of the Constitutions belongs to the Holy See, while the interpretation of the Constitutions belongs to the General Chapter of the OFS. The Secular Franciscan Order holds a special place in the Franciscan family circle as an organic union of all Catholic fraternities scattered throughout the world and open to every group of the faithful.
Secular Franciscans make a public profession and are consecrated, but they are not bound by public vows as religious people living in community are. They are called to live the Gospel in a Franciscan manner according to their own Rule, which they profess after a period of initial formation. Life in fraternity is an essential aspect of the Secular Franciscan vocation, and the fraternity is a community of love where the sisters and brothers develop their sense of Church and the Franciscan call.
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Secular Franciscans are called to make their own contribution, inspired by Francis of Assisi
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is the third branch of the Franciscan Family, founded by Francis of Assisi 800 years ago. It is a public association of the faithful in the Catholic Church, consisting of Catholic men and women who are not bound by religious vows. Secular Franciscans are inspired by the person and message of Francis of Assisi and are called to make their own contributions to a civilization that upholds the dignity of the human person, shared responsibility, and love.
The Secular Franciscan Order is divided into fraternities at various levels: local, regional, national, and international. They make a spiritual commitment to their own Rule and are guided by the universal law of the Church and their own constitutions, rituals, and statutes. The interpretation of these rules and constitutions is done by the Holy See, which has entrusted the Order's pastoral care and spiritual assistance to the Franciscan First Order and the Franciscan Third Order Regular.
Secular Franciscans are called to oppose all forms of exploitation, discrimination, and exclusion, and to promote the building of fraternity among peoples. They are committed to creating worthy living conditions for all and working for the freedom of all people. Inspired by Francis of Assisi's view of work as a gift and a grace, they strive to serve God and their neighbors through their daily work and to develop their personalities.
The Secular Franciscan Order has a rich history, with records of their presence in medieval Dublin and Drogheda in the 19th century. The Order has also contributed to the fields of education and scholarship and has had a significant influence on social service, particularly in the post-Napoleonic period in Western Europe and in serving large emigrant communities in the United States and Canada.
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The Secular Franciscan Order is divided into fraternities at various levels: local, regional, national, and international
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is an order within the Roman Catholic Church. It is the third branch of the Franciscan Family, founded by Francis of Assisi 800 years ago. The order is comprised of Catholic men and women who seek to observe the Gospel of Jesus by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi.
The national fraternities have their own statutes, which are approved by the Presidency of the International Council of the OFS. The Secular Franciscan Order is governed by the universal law of the Church and by its own Rule, Constitutions, Ritual, and statutes. The interpretation of the Rule and the Constitutions belongs to the Holy See, while the interpretation of the Constitutions is the responsibility of the General Chapter of the OFS.
The Secular Franciscan Order is committed to promoting the building of fraternity among peoples and creating worthy conditions of life for all. They strive for perfect charity in their own secular state, pledging to live the gospel in the manner of St. Francis.
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Frequently asked questions
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is an order within the Roman Catholic Church. Secular Franciscans are Catholic men and women who seek to observe the Gospel of Jesus by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. They are not bound by public vows as they live in the world rather than in religious communities.
The Secular Franciscan Order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi around 800 years ago. Originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, the order is the third of the three families founded by St. Francis of Assisi.
The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order is a set of guidelines for members of the order to follow. It was revised and approved in 1978 by Pope Paul VI. The Rule encourages members to devote themselves to a careful reading of the gospel and to seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in their brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical activity.
The OFS is self-governing but is governed by the universal law of the Church and its own Rule, Constitutions, Ritual, and statutes. The interpretation of the Rule and Constitutions belongs to the Holy See, while the interpretation of the Constitutions belongs to the General Chapter of the OFS.
The Secular Franciscan Order is unique in that it is not under the higher direction of the same institute as the other third orders. However, each Secular Franciscan fraternity receives guidance in spiritual matters from a spiritual assistant, usually a friar from one of the other Franciscan Orders.











































