Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | OFS, Secular Franciscan |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1221 |
| Founder | Francis of Assisi |
| Type | Catholic Religious Order[citation needed] |
| Headquarters | Rome, Italy |
Minister General | Tibor Kauser[1] |
Main organ | International Council |
| Website | www.ciofs.info |
The Secular Franciscan Order (Latin: Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis; abbreviated OFS) is the third branch of the Franciscan Family[2] formed by Catholic men and women who seek to observe the Gospel of Jesus by following the example of Francis of Assisi.[3] Secular Franciscans are not like the other third orders,[4] since they are not under the higher direction of the same institute. Brothers and sisters of the Secular Franciscan Order make a spiritual commitment (promises) to their own Rule, and Secular Franciscan fraternities can not exist without the assistance of the first or second Franciscan Orders. The Secular Franciscan Order was the third of the three families founded by Francis of Assisi 800 years ago.[5][6][7]
Originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, the Order is open to any Catholic, in good standing, at least 18 years in age, not bound by religious vows to another religious order and is made up of both the laity (male and female non-clergy) and secular clergy (deacons, priests, bishops and even Popes).[8]
Although Secular Franciscans make a public profession and are consecrated, they are not bound by public vows as are religious living in community.[9] The Third Order Regular (TOR), which grew out of the Third Order Secular, do make religious vows and live in community.[9]
Because the Order belongs to the spiritual family of the Franciscans, the Holy See has entrusted its pastoral care and spiritual assistance to the Franciscan First Order (Order of Friars Minor, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, and Order of Friars Minor Conventual) and Franciscan Third Order Regular (TOR), which belong to the same spiritual family.[10]
- ^ Secular Franciscan Order - contacts
- ^ Iriarte, Lazaro (1982). Franciscan history : the three orders of St. Francis of Assisi. Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press. ISBN 0819908312.
- ^ "Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order". Secular Franciscan Order - USA. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- ^ SS John Paul II (January 27, 2020). "Code 303 of the Code of Canon Law". Code of Canon Law.
- ^
Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Franciscan Order". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
- ^ "History of the Franciscan Movement". The Franciscan Experience. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ Iriarte, Lazaro (1979). Franciscan History. Valencia, Spain: Assisi Editorial. ISBN 9780819908315.
- ^ "Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order". National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ a b Michael Higgins. "Identity and Affiliation". The Franciscans, TOR. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ "General Constitutions of the Secular Franciscan Order". US National Fraternity SFO. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
