About

“The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan 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.”

Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, 4

St. Francis of Assisi, fresco, Benedictine Abbey of Subiaco (1228-1229)

Who are the Secular Franciscans?

The Order of Franciscans Secular (O.F.S.) is a worldwide community of Catholic men and women who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Our purpose is to bring the Gospel to life where we live and where we work.

The Secular Franciscans were founded by St. Francis of Assisi about 800 years ago. Over four million Secular Franciscans worldwide follow the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, living and working in various circumstances of life to build a more fraternal and evangelical world, promoting justice, peace, fidelity, and respect for life, in service of the the human community (Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, 14-19).

The St. Cloud Fraternity of Secular Franciscans was founded in 1923, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary of establishment in 2023. Our fraternity has over 20 members, living and working in various ways in their communities, workplaces, and parishes. Our fraternity meets on the third Sunday of every month at St. John Cantius Church in St. Cloud (Minnesota). We would love to tell you more about our fraternity! You can send us an e-mail at mailbox@stcloudfranciscans.org.