Secular Franciscan Profession

Is God Calling You? To the Secular Franciscan Order
- The Process
  
  The process of becoming a professed Secular Franciscan is a journey that involves three separate stages and culminates in a lifelong commitment to live the gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. This formation process unfolds in regularly scheduled formation sessions during which the home study material is thoroughly discussed.
  
  The first stage, Orientation, provides time for dialogue and developing relationships in 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. The period of Orientation is a minimum of three months.
  
  The second stage, Inquiry, is the first formal period of initiation. 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 Franciscan history. You will deepen your understanding of what it means to be secular and Franciscan, and you will continue to discern if the Spirit is calling you to the Secular Franciscan way of life. The 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, 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, "The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan is this: 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." The period of Candidacy is a minimum of eighteen months and culminates in 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.
- Who are we?
  
  Secular Franciscans are a worldwide Lay Religious Order of the Catholic Church, under the Pope, for over 800 years, who follow the Spirituallity of our Seraphic Father, Saint Francis of Assisi.
  
  More specifically, we are men and women who, after a prescribed formation period, make a public commitment of Fidelity, Chastity and Poverty. We are not to be confused with cloistered friars/nuns who have taken these as vows.
  
  Our Motto is: "From Gospel to Life"
  
  Rather, we are men and women immersed in the work-day world like everybody else. Many are married with families, some are single. But we are brothers and sisters to one another who together in fellowship as a community. follow a Gospel-based rule, that has its origins in the remarkable life and teachings of St. Francis of Asissi (1181-1226).
  
  The Third Order Regular, which grew out of the Third Order Secular, do make religious vows and live in community.
  
  The Holy See has entrusted the pastoral care and spiritual assistance of the Secular Franciscan Order, because it belongs to the same spiritual family, to the Franciscan First Order (Friars Minor) and Franciscan Third Order Regular.

LADY POVERTY REGION

Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis - Secular Franciscan Order

Secular Franciscan Profession

Is God Calling You? To the Secular Franciscan Order

The Process

Who are we?