Our Franciscans
Ordo Servitores Franciscani (saecularis)
The Order of Servant Franciscans (OSF)
The OSF is a Third Order Secular Fraternity within the historic worldwide Franciscan Family. The traditional Franciscan vow of poverty is expressed in the OSF through compassionate action towards all of creation. Chastity is expressed through the principles of inclusion and purity of devotion to Jesus. Obedience is expressed through being the messenger of peace and justice. All of these vows are expressed out of obedience to Christ's command and the Sacred Scriptures. Each Sister or Friar is commited to deepening their relationship of love with the Lord Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and all the Saints, through the charism of Sts. Francis & Clare. This charism of devotion is manifest through service to others.
Won't you join us as we join Sts. Clare & Francis as we learn to adore God with a pure heart?
"Let us desire nothing else,
let us wish for nothing else,
let nothing else please us
and cause us delight,
except our Creator and Redeemer, and Savior..."
(from the Rule of 1221, St. Francis)
"We adore you, Lord Jesus Christ, in all your churches in the whole world, and we bless you because through your holy cross you have redeemed the world." - the Testament
Prayer of St. Francis before the Crucifix
"Most High, Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart,
and give me correct faith,
sure hope and perfect charity,
with undeerstanding and knowledge, Lord,
so that I may fulfill your holy and true command,
Amen.
FranciscansInternational
The members of the OSF join with FI in our global mission to bring the peace and justice of Christ to the nations! (FranciscansInternational.org).
During the Feast of Saint Francis, FI stated in a letter: "Saint Francis speaks to all Catholics, non-Catholics and even non-Christians. During this time of the Transitus we are reminded of St. Francis and his many qualities of humility, love of all creation and of the poor. His love for Creator and creation was the cause and influence of many transformations that took place in his life time politically, socially and in the arts. We are the ambassadors of the good things Francis stood for: peace, poverty, tolerance, prayer, justice, respect, love and joy. " 'Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.' "