Vocations

Our FORMATION comes from education and training in the worldview of St. Francis of Assisi and his early followers. We have an open period of inquiry, followed by at least a year of postulancy, and then a minimum of three years novitiate before we make permanent vows.

Our WITNESS TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST is PRIVATE in that our personal attire is secular and self chosen and yet PUBLIC in that we wear a special SYMBOL, our RING of CONSECRATION (our HABIT).

Our DEDICATION or CONSECRATION includes the Evangelical Counsels of POVERTY/ SIMPLICITY, HUMILITY, and OBEDIENCE lived with St. Francis as our model and exemplar. Our baptismal bond with Jesus Christ which makes us members of HIS priestly, prophetic and royal people is further enhanced by our Franciscan vows received by our bishop in the church community of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

Our GOVERNANCE is done by the election of a leader (called a "GUARDIAN" of our communal life, a term used by many Franciscan communities) for a set term.

FINANCES are done by consecrated members providing their own health insurance, retirement and daily expenses. We can choose to hold our goods in common, but that is not required.

RESIDENCE: consecrated members live in their own residences, but meet often, and have a strong prayer life and sense of community. Living in common can be chosen, but is not required.

Our APOSTOLATE is individually applied within the secular world of work, social life and social service by our living out the Gospel message in the charism and spirituality of St. Francis. We also choose corporate apostolates in which to work, doing this especially two by two.

IDENTITY: our consecration is inseparable from our apostolates and our secular activities. We intend to carry Christ and His Kingdom wherever we are and work.

CLERGY: the descriptions above apply to our clergy members (three of eight so far) except they have more liturgical and pastoral roles in which they serve the communal life of our communities.

We trust that by living this life patterned on FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY, we are creating a community that will BE A BLESSING to the whole Church, especially our faith family of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

For more information about becoming a Franciscan, please contact the Guardian of the Order from the contact tab above.