The Franciscan Order worldwide sees friars numbering in the thousands and it all began with the God-given grace of a burning flame of love for the Divine Trinity and all his creation in the heart of Saint Francis of Assisi.

There are three main branches of the Order of Friars Minor (Observants, Conventuals, and Cappuchins), sharing much in common while retaining particular traits, qualities and technicalities that set them apart historically and contemporaneously.

The heroic legacy of the founder himself, whom we call our “Seraphic Father” Saint Francis of Assisi, is perhaps too profound to be contained or limited to merely one expression of spirituality, but there is a common group of characteristics which can definitely fall beneath that umbrella.

Normally, a man or a woman will feel called by the Eternal Father to follow Christ. That is already a huge grace! However, if St Francis’ way of following Jesus (intensely, wholeheartedly, moved by the Incarnation and Passion of Jesus, and loving him in and through the people God places on one's path) appeals to them, they begin a formative process. If we are talking about the friars and nuns they begin what is called initial formation, composed of three phases: postulancy, novitiate, and temporary (or simple) vows. Each phase is intended to learn and implement more of Francis’ core set of beliefs and modes of responding to God's love and growing in a relationship with him, so as to know how to evangelically relate to the rest of his creation, the splendid world the Lord has given to us so as to make our journey to Heaven together.

These themes would be front and centre in such a person desiring to be a Franciscan: a love for all things created good by our merciful God; charity, selflessness, kindness, humility, etc, expressed and lived through a penitential way of life based on three vows--poverty, chastity and obedience. These latter three are more commonly espoused by those within the Franciscan Order who have embraced a religious, consecrated life as friars and nuns. The Secular Franciscans on the other hand, are not bound by vows but seek to earnestly try to live the spirit of the vows in their lives, animated by simplicity and humility. 

Each of these Orders have a Minister General, who shepherds the friars or sisters or laity under their care. 

What Is a Franciscan?

A deeper look at what makes a man or woman a Franciscan, however, reveals that there’s a bit of a difference between knowing a lot of theology and actually living the gospel. Likewise, Franciscan Theology is not to be understood as Franciscan Spirituality and what makes the Franciscan Friar or Sister. Perhaps the best way to illustrate this is how when Saint Anthony of Padova asked Saint Francis permission to be able to teach theology to the young student friars, Saint Francis approved with the words, “Teach them theology, only do not forget the spirit of devotion and prayer.” This, we would declare is the difference between theology and spirituality. Of course, we would also add that theology correctly studied and implemented enhances the spiritual life of all Christians, as long as it is sound theology. We need to be careful because there are many versions of the truth out there, and not all of them can be correct. That will be another homily at some future date.

Our Franciscan motto is pax et bonum, “peace and all good.” What the Lord has freely shared with the Franciscan Preacher, he freely shares with his brothers and sisters so that they too can experience the peace and good that can come to our hearts, in its fullness, only from God. When Jesus declared that he came so that we may have life, and life to the full, he wanted our lives to be overflowing with peace and goodness. Yet the key and the secret to this living water which would well up to overflowing in us, is to be found in Jesus himself. Oops, there we go preaching again! We just can’t help ourselves!

As a bit of a recap so far: Saint Francis composed three sets of rules; one for the friars, one for the nuns living in a cloister with Saint Clare of Assisi, and finally one for the secular laity who also wished the embrace the gospel life in a more radical manner. These became three separate Orders, yet united under the same charism and originating in the same founder, Saint Francis. Officially the three are known as 1) the Order of Friars Minor (within which you have the three main branches, or families; Friars Minor OFM, Friars Minor Conventual OFMCONV, and Friars Minor Cappuchins OFMCAP) 2) The Order of Poor Clares, and 3) The Secular Franciscan Order. We all try to live in relative peace and harmony!

It all sounds great right? Yes indeed, but let’s go to the man himself who makes this work of God the beautiful blessing it has come to be – Saint Francis of Assisi. We here encourage you to go to our "Chronology of the Life of Francis" tab on this website or click the tab beneath.