St. Francis is a well recognized historical figure. Depictions of him are common in art and in books and films. He lived in the late 12th and early 13th century spending most of his life in and around the town of his birth Assisi. He was given the name Francesco by his wealthy mother and father who belonged to the new class of merchants making their mark across the economy and politics of Italy at this time. In his youth he enjoyed the privilege that his wealth brought him, even developing a reputation for partying. excellent clothes, and lavish spending. He also dreamed of fame and glory as a soldier. Indeed, this life of the typical rich young man intent on civic recognition and glory appeared to be the rather predictable trajectory of his ambition until events intervened.
Francis spent time as a prisoner of war, having utterly failed as a soldier. He was seriously ill and confined to bed for another lengthy period of convalescence.
His conversion was unexpected and radical. He experienced the grace of a growth in love and concern for lepers, the most despised and outcast of people in his society. He devoted himself to prayer and fasting in a small chapel outside the walls of his town entering into a direct and immediate experience of Christ who directed him.
His experience of the humility of God in his incarnation and the self-emptying love of God in his crucifixion led him to adopt radical poverty and simplicity and service as his life in imitation of Christ. Unsurprisingly, the authenticity and passion of his example attracted many others, quickly. Many men and women from all backgrounds and walks of life joined him and wanted to follow him and the Franciscan family was born. The growth of the movement was extremely rapid and Francis sought the approval of the Catholic Church to live by a Rule with his brothers. Shortly thereafter another young person Chiara, known as Clare in English, a young noblewoman of Assisi asked to follow St Francis in his radical Gospel life. She founded the Order of the Poor Clares, an order of Franciscan women, also referred to as the Second Order.
Many lay people desired to follow Francis in his Gospel-inspired life and he provided for them with a Rule to live the Franciscan life in their secular life, i.e. as married or single men and women in whatever profession or situation they found themselves. This part of the Franciscan family used to be known as tertiaries or Third Order Franciscans but are now knowns as Secular Franciscans. The NW Secular Franciscans are part of this national and international movement of lay persons who wish to follow in the footsteps of St Francis. There are about 300000 Secular Franciscans, men and women, young and old, across the globe. We meet in local fraternity groups to learn about St Francis and the Franciscan way of living the Gospel, to pray, to deepen our own commitment to the Gospel and to support eachother. These groups typically meet monthly and on special occasions.
The Franciscan movement and charism has grown and developed, always finding its inspiration in St Francis’ example of living out and pursuing an ever deeper conversion to Jesus Christ by living and proclaiming his Gospel more closely, more deliberately, and more faithfully in today’s world. Typical hallmarks of Franciscan life and spirituality then and now are care and love for all of creation, service to the marginalized, a commitment to peace making and simplicity, a contemplative spirituality, an emphasis on fraternity and community, and fidelity to the Roman Catholic Church.
A Franciscan is someone who wishes to follow the example of Saint Francis is living the Gospel of Jesus Christ fully and authentically,
There are thousands of books written about St Francis and Franciscans. Here are some links which can help you find out more:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/the-franciscan-way
https://franciscanseculars.com
https://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/filib/people/francis_bibliography.htm
www.secularfranciscanusa.org