The Mystica Rosa Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order

Secular Franciscans are members of a lay order who follow Jesus Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis (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.

When he attracted followers who desired to adopt his style of life, Francis founded three Orders in the Church. The First Order was for men (The Friars Minor), The Second for cloistered nuns (The Poor Clairs), and a Third Order for lay men and women (Brothers and Sisters of Penance).

The Third Order, which today is called the Secular Franciscan Order, was taught by Francis to lead the Gospel life at home and on their jobs and to spread the Gospel by word and example among their neighbors. This is the call of the Secular Franciscan today.

Vocation
The Secular Franciscans are practicing Catholics who answer the call from the Lord to enter into a deeper relationship with Him. Through their public profession they promise to make present again and renew the promises of their Baptism and their committment to their Confirmation. With the grace of God, they profess to live in the world in the spirit of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They are called to give wittness to the Kingdom of God through their words and actions helping to build a more fraternal world based on the Gospel.

Community
Secular Franciscans become members of a "fraternity", a living and active Christian community, in which they find support and encouragement from fellow Franciscan Brothers and Sisters. Monthly Fraternity meetings with their common prayer, instruction, and fellowship provide the spiritual nourishment needed to live as a Christian in the world.

Committment
Secular Franciscans committ themselves to:

• Observe the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ following the example of St. Francis of Assisi
• Prayerful reading of the Gospel
• Seek and encounter the living and active person of Jesus in their brothers and sisters
• Proclaim Christ through their words and actions
• Participate in the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Eucharist
• Private and Communal prayer, especially the Liturgy of the Hours
• Express love for Mary by imitating her self-giving
• Esteem work as a gift and as a sharing in creation, redemption, and service
• Cultivate the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity, and respect for life in their family
• Attend fraternity meetings and contribute to the support of the community

The Next Step
If you are searching for a way to renew your baptismal committment, to deepen your relationship with the Lord, and give witness to the Kingdom Of God, the Lord may be calling you to be a Franciscan.

A Simple Prayer
Lord,
Make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and
It is dying that we are born to eternal life.

Pax Et Bonum