St. Francis of Assisi was born around 1181 in Assisi, Italy, to a wealthy cloth merchant. Though he enjoyed a carefree youth filled with worldly pleasures, his life dramatically changed after experiencing war and imprisonment. During prayer at the ruined Church of San Damiano, he heard Christ speak from the crucifix, commanding him to "repair my Church in ruins."
In a dramatic gesture before the Bishop of Assisi, Francis stripped off his clothes and renounced his inheritance, dedicating himself completely to God and a life of poverty. In 1209, Pope Innocent III approved his Rule, and Francis founded the Order of Friars Minor, which grew rapidly across Europe.
His deep love for Christ was expressed through creating the first live nativity scene in 1223, and in 1224 he received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, becoming the first recorded saint to bear these marks. Francis died on October 3, 1226, and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228. His legacy of radical poverty, joy, peace, and love for all creation continues to inspire millions worldwide.
In 1212, Francis and Clare of Assisi established the Second Order, the Order of Poor Ladies, later known as the Poor Clares. St. Clare became the first woman to write a rule for her community that received papal approval. The Third Order of Saint Francis, founded in 1221, allowed married men and women, the single, and secular clergy to live according to the Gospel without entering monastic life.
The degree of poverty required remained a source of conflict, resulting in numerous divisions over the centuries. The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin was founded in 1525 seeking stricter observance and became a separate order in 1619. Pope Leo XIII united several smaller Franciscan orders in 1897, forming the Order of Friars Minor as it exists today.
The Franciscans popularized devotional practices including the Christmas crèche, Stations of the Cross, and the Angelus. Today, the Franciscan family includes three major branches of the First Order, the Poor Clares, the Third Order Regular, and the Secular Franciscan Order, serving throughout the world with a shared commitment to poverty, charity, and peace.
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 relationship-building within 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. The Orientation period is a minimum of 3 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 the 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 a permanent commitment through immersion in 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.
St. Bonaventure
Blessed John Duns Scotus (key in the development of devotion to the Immaculate Conception)