What exactly does the secular franciscan order do?

Have you perhaps gotten the secular Franciscans (third order) mixed up with the first (men's) and second (women's) order? They are different but their spirituality is the same. First and second orders take vows of poverty, obedience and chastity. As far as I know, they do live in community. EWTN was run by Franciscans--The Missionaries of the Eternal Word are a Franciscan religious community founded by Mother Angelica. And of course, Mother Angelica is a cloistered Franciscan.

Once knew a secular Franciscan (third order). He did not live in a community--instead he lived in the secular world. Volunteered at a hospital.

faceofbear said:

I just watched Brother Sun, Sister Moon and I was wondering if Franciscans today actually live in community like the movie or is it just a title? What exactly do they do? How do you become one? Etc?

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Well first thing you need to do if you wanted to become Secular Franciscan is to become Catholic first.

Secondly, look at The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order - USA

This will give you a lot of the details on becoming one.

I am in the process of becoming a Secular Franciscan. I finished my second session of the orientation phase. I first emailed a regional director to get information about two of the closest fraternities nearest me and sent emails to both fraternities. I got response back with "Channels of Peace" in Chattanooga, TN.

As far as what they do...

Typically there is a meeting once a month. We'll pray the Liturgy of the Hours, we'll discuss how a particular Gospel passage that we are studing says to us, there are discussions about upcoming events, missions, and other information.

One of the things that impresses me about the SFO is that it has a strong emphasis to reaching out to societies outcasts. Back in St. Francis' day, it was the lepers whom people avoided. St. Francis true conversion started the day he was able to embrace the lepers. In like manner, there are apostolate ministries and it is expected to give cheerfully and what you can to promote life in the parish and in the fraternity. I have heard quite a few such ministries exist to help AIDS victims and I am sure there are some for the poor.

One of things I particular like about third orders (secular) is that everyone who is a member are of an equal stature, and in fact if you are a secular Franciscan you share in a larger fraternity with the other two orders. Whether they be priests within the first or third, we are all Franciscan. Francis had to become a deacon to get his rule approved.
While I feel the Knights of Columbus (a fourth order) has done a lot more, their publications about Catholicism, their insurance, and their good deeds are far reaching, there are degrees and levels within their order; I feel uncomfortable with joining them based on such levels, but am not saying it is bad, just bad for me. It is, therefore, up to the individual's own calling and personality to discern for themselves the charism of each particular order. We are a large body and very diverse, so each person has a place.

As far as communities are concerned, I can only think of one cenobitical Franciscan community in the US right off the bat--The Little Portion Hermitage of which the musician John Michael Talbot help founded. However, I am not sure as to how the community is set up. It could be the seculars live off the premise in their own homes and the first (monks) and second (St. Clare nuns) orders live on the premise. I am therefore speaking on assumptions. I would love to go there for a retreat although. Also, if you have a chance to go, even as a Protestant, I think you will find it very ecumenical. I remember the musician Michael Card also did retreats there with JMT.

I think you'll find the information St. Columcille gave more complete.

faceofbear said:

Maybe, where can I find information on the first order. I tried googling it and cannot find it.

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I think the first order has some seperations. OFM Order Frairs Minor is probably the most well known. But there a few others who share the rule of St. Francis but have different constitutions.

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Franciscan Order

I would first be concerned faceofbear to focus on becoming Catholic first. In all reality, the orders of St. Francis is really no different than what is expected of every Catholic. It is the fraternal life that encourages us and sharpens us in a life of penance and gives us a sense of identity and formation within the Body, Christ's Church.

If you want to discuss anything with me in the email as far as relating to RCIA, since I am convert myself, as well as continuing on into the Secular Franciscans, I would be most happy to carry on a discussion on those troubling times and issues I struggled most with. Since I am in process of becoming a Secular Franciscan, and if you feel called to become one yourself, I can give you a more detailed journey as I go through it; and if you are becoming Catholic, you can share with me your journey as well.

Have you read through this article?

Franciscan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

faceofbear said:

At any rate, right now St. Francis is just a great interest to me. I have a couple of books I am reading as well based on his teachings. The appeal of how he took Christ's words so plainly is a beautiful thing, something that I wish I had the faith to do. In regards to wanting to become Franciscan, well, I am interested in it... but it's a leap. I'd have a lot of explaining to do to my family and prayer over it, as my family is Protestant. They'd probably look at me as someone they'd need to witness to if I converted. But nonetheless, if it is where Christ leads me, then I cannot say no... but it requires some prayer.

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Sent you an email and added you to my friend list. The first books I read prior to becoming Catholic was Chesterton's book on St. Francis and "The Little Flowers of St. Francis." Now that I am looking into the SFO, I have a lot more books added to the collection. I would highly recommend to you to get the four volume set of The Liturgy of the Hours, even if you do not become Catholic. The use of it as a devotional is extremely practical. The LotH goes through the whole Psalter in four weeks, the readings correspond and suppliment the litugical year and the commentaries by Early Church Fathers and Saints is probably the most revealing. The Franciscans have a supplement to the LotH and these only add readings from Franciscan saints and blesseds as well as Franciscan feast days.

I gave one to my Lutheran friend and he seems to find its more impressive than the other devotionals he uses. If you want to see an example of its readings, go to universalis. Universalis home page

In a future email, I am going to make a suggestion as far as inquiry to another possible route you might enjoy.

Pax et bonum.