Many people want to life their lives with purpose, meaning and depth. St Francis’ example offers us a way to develop our relationship with God and with eachother through combining prayer, study of the gospels, service to others and care for creation. His way has provided for us both an inspiration and a purpose, a constant invitation to live our lives with more intentionality, more peace, more service and more mission.

For some of us this path has taken us to professing as members of an order, the Order of Secular Franciscans. We live regular lives as married and single people, studying, working and retired, in the world. We seek to bring the spirit and spirituality of St Francis to every place we find ourselves. We commit daily to prayer and to advancing in holiness as best we can by walking deliberately and together in the footsteps of St Francis according to the Rule of Secular Franciscans, https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/the-rule-of-the-secular-franciscan-order/

A summary of the Rule is found in Article 4:

The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan is this: To observe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. 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. Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the Gospel, going from Gospel to life and life to the Gospel

For other people in our group, this inspiration has led to a friendship with St Francis without joining the order. These Friends of St Francis join in our activity, prayer, and learning about St Francis without making a permanent commitment.

We have all become friends of St Francis, keen to be a Franciscan presence in the world, a sign of God’s love, as he was. We do so in our daily lives, in our families, in our friendship and in our places of work.

We invite you to join us to explore how you can follow St Francis’ example of friendship with God and with each other by attending any of our events, joining us at our monthly meeting, reading and watching about St Francis.

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We look forward to seeing you.

If you would like to know more: ofsnwregion@gmail.com