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Basilica St. Francis Assisi, Italy
St. Francis |
St. Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226), the son of a wealthy merchant in Assisi, Italy, was a fun-loving youth who longed to be a rich and famous knight. God however called him to put aside his dreams of wealth and glory and find Jesus Christ in the Gospel, the poor and suffering. Francis became a mendicant preacher who spread the Gospel message of God's love and peace to all he met through his words and actions. |
In 1209, Francis established the First Order of the Franciscan family (Order of Friars Minor) for men. Later, with Lady Clare of Assisi, he founded the Second Order (Poor Clares). Finally, in 1221 he instituted the Third Order (Secular Franciscans) for men and women who were unable to leave their homes, families, or work to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis. |
St. Clare |
The Secular Franciscans are an association of men and women - married and single - who live and work in the world. They follow a way of life that is faithful to the original Rule written by St. Francis of Assisi, but which has been adapted to today's circumstances.
What is essential to know is that we are NOT a prayer group, we are an Order.
Members of this Order find direction, inspiration, encouragement and support to live more fully the gospel message within a fraternal community of Secular Franciscans.
Well-known members include Dante, Christopher Columbus, Louis Pasteur, Boy's Town Fr. Flanagan, Pope John XXIII and Thomas Merton among others.
Our Region has 4 Fraternities in Singapore, two fraternities in Sabah - Kota Kinabalu and Papar, and three emerging fraternities - Tuaran, Labuan and Limbahau.
St. Clare's Fraternity meet at the Day Care Centre in Mount Alvernia, Thomson Road.
St Elizabeth of Hungary's Fraternity meet at St Mary of the Angels Church.
St. Joseph's Fraternity meet at St. Joseph's Church in Victoria Street
St. Margaret of Cortona meet at Shalom House (FMM) in Holland Road.
Each Fraternity is guided by a Spiritual Assistant.
The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people. Christ, the gift of the Father's love, is the way to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly" (SFO Rule 4).
Living the Gospel by following our Lord Jesus Christ represented for Francis the foundation of his vocation and, for us, our identity from the very beginning. Everything finds its place in it.
The group is devoted to St Francis and practices the Secular Rule of St. Francis.
In its simplest form, the Rule is: Apply the Gospel to life and life to the Gospel.
Each fraternity has a monthly meeting and the meetings are conducted somewhat differently in each fraternity. Fraternities may have varied apostolates as well.
The SFO is divided into fraternities and has it's International Executive Council at the top followed by the National Executive, Regional Executive and then the Local Councils.
Each Council will have a Minister, Vice-Minister, Formator, Treasurer and Secretary. Together with each fraternity, there will be a Spiritual Assistant taken from either the Friars, (ofm or Cap), or a Franciscan Religious.
