The Tau cross signature of St. Francis

SECULAR FRANCISCANS TODAY: --- A Call to Courageously Follow Jesus Christ

Today, the lay Franciscan communities founded by St. Francis still exist. We are called the Secular Franciscan Order, a worldwide fraternity of communities of lay people dedicated to proclaiming Christ through living His Gospel. Just as in our beginning, we are called by God to build love relationships with others according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who said, "by this sign the world knows that you are my disciples, if you have love, one for another." And, as in the beginning, we seek to live this Gospel through faithfully opening ourselves to the full work of the Holy Spirit in our life together, and humbly submitting our community to the guidance of the Church. Practically speaking, this means joining with others on a daily, weekly or monthly basis to build relationships of heart and mind "with" Jesus and "in" Jesus. Time for Spirit-led prayer, study of the Scriptures, and the simple sharing of one another's lives are important elements in the experience of Franciscan community. Likewise, because the healing process of Penance and the wholeness of Eucharistic unity are the sacramental center of our lives; the mutual forgiveness of sins through humble, Christlike love, brokenness, and poverty of spirit can become a reality we both live and celebrate! As simple followers of Jesus, the Secular Franciscans seek to go from Gospel to life and from life back to the Gospel - seeking, as Francis did, to continually be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. ...AND YOU If you are a man or woman, single or married, who seeks to renew the Church and be an instrument of peace to the world by living the Gospel of Jesus in a well-balanced and time tested way.... If you seek the support of a community that is open to the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit.... then come and join us! We seek to join with Francis who went forth in the power of the Holy Spirit to humbly renew the Church through simply living the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, our LORD. INTERESTED? There are hundreds of Secular Franciscan Fraternities in the U.S. alone, made up of thousands of people seeking to follow Christ together. There is probably a family of Franciscans nearby! For information on finding a renewal-oriented Secular Franciscan Community near you, or for starting a group in your area: contact the SFO Provincial President or SFO Spiritual Assistant listed on the PREVIOUS PAGES or go to the nearest Franciscan Friary or Parish in your city. The Franciscans may be what you've been looking for!

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