The Friends of St. Francis - An Association with the Order of Franciscan Penitents

Not everyone is called to live their lives under the vows of the Franciscan Penitents: vows of simplicity, humility, and obedience. But some people may
wish to be connected to the Order of Franciscan Penitents because they feel attracted to St. Francis and to the values of the Franciscan Penitents. They want to make a commitment to express what they feel in their hearts. For them there is the option of belonging to an association of the Order of Franciscan Penitents called the Friends of St. Francis. We do not ask you to take vows or to live under our rule of life. We ask that you promise to pray for us and for the CEC. We ask that you support us in whatever way you can and make known our work and the ideals of St. Francis. To become a Friend of St. Francis is very easy. There is no membership fee. No great promises are required. All you have to do is contact our Guardian and we will put you on the Friends of St. Francis membership list. We will put you on intercessor's list and pray for you regularly. And you will receive a semiannual newsletter.
How you live out this commitment is between you and the Holy Spirit. We encourage you to create your own personal rule of life to live by. However, we suggest three areas of focus: prayer, service, and searching by study. We encourage you to develop a deep spiritual life through prayer and meditation. We encourage you to actively serve the least, the lost, the last, and the lonely. We encourage you search out the deep things of God by study. Thus, we encourage you to read and study the Scriptures, to read the lives oft he saints, and to read books to promote your spiritual growth.
All Christians are called to live out their baptismal promises day by day. Perhaps the Franciscan model of peace with fellow human beings and with all creation is the way God is calling you to live out those promises in your life. Contact us for more information.