Welcome
Order of Secular Franciscans
Saint Joseph Fraternity
ARE YOU BEING CALLED?
Is there a yearning?
Would you like to give more time to God, but wonder how to do that when your life is so busy? Do you long for holiness, and feel a need for support in growing spiritually?
Do you feel connected?
Perhaps your heart has been moved by stories of St. Francis of Assisi, or the Peace Prayer attributed to him, and you are seeking that same holy simplicity, true peace and perfect joy?
If so, Christ may be calling you to explore the Secular Franciscan life. We would be happy to meet with you to share about the Franciscan journey. We invite you to contact us.
WHO ARE THE
SECULAR FRANCISCANS
Our foundations come from the desire of ordinary people living in the times of St. Francis who wanted to join his new order.
St. Francis counseled them not to leave their families or abandon their work in the world, but to embrace the Gospel in the ordinary circumstances of their lives.
He wrote a Rule of Life for these men and women who came to be known as the “Brothers and Sisters of Penance.” In later years these brothers and sisters were called members of the Third Order of St. Francis. Today we are known as Secular Franciscans, and our initials are “OFS”.
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The Secular Franciscan Order is made up of women and men, single or married, or members of the diocesan clergy. We live in our homes and with our families but come together regularly with our local Franciscan communities which we call Fraternities.