The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) is an international community of Catholic men and women who seek to imitate St. Francis of Assisi in his love for Christ and the Church. The Order is lay, meaning that its members do not live in community or take religious vows. Instead, they live out their Baptismal promises in their everyday lives as wives, husbands, parents, single people, and employees.
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Who are the Secular Franciscans?
The Secular Franciscans are a lay order within the Catholic Church. They follow the Rule of St. Francis, which calls for poverty, chastity, and obedience.
The order was founded in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi himself. He gathered a group of men around him who wanted to live a life similar to his own- one devoted to prayer and service.
Today, the Secular Franciscans can be found all over the world. They meet regularly to pray together and discuss ways to live out their vocation in the world.
If you are interested in becoming a Secular Franciscan, you should contact your local fraternity. The first step is to attend an inquiry session, where you can learn more about the order and ask any questions you may have.
A Call to Prayer and Study
In a world that is increasingly secular, the Secular Franciscans offer a unique opportunity to live out one’s faith in community. The order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi himself and has been a vital part of the Church for centuries. Today, there are over 20,000 members worldwide.
The Secular Franciscans are committed to living out the Gospel in their daily lives. They meet regularly for prayer and study, and strive to grow in their understanding of the Faith. They also reach out to those in need, bringing the love of Christ to all they meet.
If you are interested in exploring the life of a Secular Franciscan, contact your local diocese or order for more information.
The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order
The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order is a document that outlines the way of life for members of the order. It was written by Saint Francis of Assisi himself, and has been updated over the centuries to reflect the changing needs of the order. The rule is divided into three parts: the first part discusses the vows taken by members of the order, the second part discusses the spiritual life and practices to be followed, and the third part discusses the role of Franciscans in society.
The vows taken by members of the Secular Franciscan Order are poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are not taken lightly, and members must be prepared to live a life according to these principles. The poverty vow requires members to live simply, without attachment to material possessions.
The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi
Francis of Assisi was born in the year 1181 to a wealthy Italian family. He lived a carefree life as a young man, until he had a profound religious experience while serving in the army. Francis then devoted himself to God, and became a monk.
As a monk, Francis followed the teachings of St. Benedict and lived a simple life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He also began to preach and share his faith with others. Francis had a special love for nature and animals, and he is known for his kindness towards them.
In 1209, Francis founded the Order of Friars Minor, also known as the Franciscans. The Franciscans are a religious order who live Simply like monks, but they also go out into the world to preach and help those in need. Today there are over 3 million Franciscans worldwide!
Theology of the Secular Franciscan Order
The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) is a community of Catholic men and women who live in the world, but who are dedicated to living the gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi. Members of the SFO seek to pattern their lives after Saint Francis by following his example of prayer, simplicity, and love for all people, especially the poor and marginalized.
The theology of the SFO is based on three key principles: first, that all members are equal before God regardless of their social status or position in life; second, that members should strive to live a simple lifestyle; and third, that members should focus on living out the gospel message in their daily lives.
The Secular Franciscan Order is a world-wide community of Catholic men and women who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
The order is made up of people from all walks of life – laity, religious, and clergy – who live in the world but meet regularly to support and encourage one another in living out the Gospel message.
If you are interested in becoming a Secular Franciscan, the first step is to contact a local fraternity and attend one of their meetings. At the meeting, you will have an opportunity to learn more about the order and decide if it is something you would like to pursue.