Why Secular Franciscan?
The word secular simply means we live and work in the world. Though we make a public profession we are not bound by public vows as are religious orders living in community. It also distinguishes the Secular Franciscans from the Third Order Regular as represented by the friars serving The Catholic Community of St. Patrick. So what does a Secular Franciscan do? We strive to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bring Him to all those whose paths cross ours in our daily lives. We are to conform our life to Jesus’ life. We show to the best of our ability that the Gospel message can be lived in society today. We must be ready to forgive, to comfort and most of all to love. As St. Francis explained, “Go and spread the Good News and if you have to, use words.” This is our vocation. Do you have to be single or celibate to join the Secular Franciscan Order? NO! Any Roman Catholic who is single, married, plans to marry, young or old, lay person or diocesan priest not bound by religious vows and wa
