The Franciscans are members of Catholic religious orders founded by St. Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century. They strive to cultivate the ideals of poverty, charity, and humility as practiced by St. Francis and his early followers. There are several branches of Franciscans, including the Order of Friars Minor (Ordo Fratrum Minorum), the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, and the Third Order Secular of St. Francis.
History of the Franciscans
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was the son of a wealthy Italian merchant. As a young man, he lived a worldly and carefree life. However, he underwent a profound spiritual conversion, renouncing his wealth and comforts to live in poverty. In 1209, St. Francis gathered a small band of followers and traveled to Rome to seek approval from Pope Innocent III for their way of life dedicated to “following the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and walking in his footsteps” (1 Peter 2:21). The Pope gave oral approval to what would become the Franciscan Order.
The early Franciscans emphasized strict poverty, simplicity, and humility. They worked and begged for sustenance as they preached repentance and loved even those considered outcasts of society. As the order grew rapidly, St. Francis wrote a Rule of life for the brothers to follow. The Rule described their life of poverty, preaching, and manual labor. It also addressed matters of governance for the growing community. In 1223, Pope Honorius III formally approved the Rule, establishing the Order of Friars Minor (Ordo Fratrum Minorum).
The Franciscans spread quickly across Europe and beyond. Their enthusiastic embrace of poverty was both an inspiration and rebuke to a Church grown worldly and corrupt. As the order expanded, it faced the challenge of maintaining its original ideals. St. Francis resigned leadership in 1220 due to declining health. He died in 1226 after receiving the stigmata, or the wounds of Christ’s passion. He was canonized as a saint just two years later in 1228.
Branches of the Franciscans
There are three main branches of Franciscans today:
- The Order of Friars Minor (OFM)
- The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap.)
- The Third Order Regular of St. Francis (TOR)
Order of Friars Minor
The Order of Friars Minor is the original fraternity founded by St. Francis. It is commonly referred to as the Observants for their stricter adherence to the letter of St. Francis’ Rule. The OFM remains committed to a life of poverty, preaching, and ministry to the poor and marginalized.
The OFM has experienced various reforms and divisions over the centuries as disagreements arose about how best to interpret and live out the Franciscan charism. For example, the Conventual Franciscans represent a branch that favors greater flexibility regarding ownership of property and money. Various reform movements have sought to return to a more rigorous observance of St. Francis’ original vision.
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap.) arose from one of the reform movements of the Observants in the 16th century. Led by Matteo da Bascio, they sought a return to a life of austerity and simplicity. This group lived in hermitages and wore distinctive pointed hoods (“capuche” in Italian). Pope Paul III recognized the Capuchins as independent from the Observants in 1528.
Like the Observants, the Capuchins dedicate themselves to preaching, service, and austerity. In their practices of poverty, they may only own what is needed for basic sustenance and ministry. Today, Capuchins serve in various missionary and ministry roles around the world.
Third Order Regular of St. Francis
The Third Order Regular of St. Francis (TOR) grew out of the Third Order of St. Francis. This was an order for laymen and women who wished to embrace Franciscan spirituality without leaving their families and occupations. Over time, some members of the Third Order chose to live in community under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Papal approval was granted in 1221 for an order of Franciscan sisters and in 1421 for an order of Franciscan brothers living in community.
Today, the Third Order Regular includes both friars and sisters who strive to incorporate Franciscan values into a wide range of vocations in active ministry and contemplative prayer. They emphasize making Christ’s love visible through their lives of prayer, community, joy, and humble service.
Franciscan Spirituality and Values
All branches of the Franciscans seek to cultivate the spiritual vision and values modeled by St. Francis and his first disciples. Some key aspects of Franciscan spirituality include:
- Poverty – Franciscans renounce personal possessions and embrace a lifestyle fully dependent on God’s providence.
- Humility – In humility, Franciscans recognize their utter reliance on God’s grace and seek to lower themselves rather than be elevated.
- Joy – The Franciscan way of life embraces joy and gratitude for all of God’s gifts, especially in the midst of suffering.
- Community – Franciscans live in fraternity, seeing each other as brothers and sisters in God’s family.
- Peacemaking – Franciscans cultivate peace through love of neighbor, nonviolence, care for creation, and reconciliation.
- Simplicity – Franciscans live simply, avoiding excess and luxury in order to focus on the essentials of Gospel living.
At the heart of the Franciscan charism is an intense love for the crucified Christ and a desire to conform one’s entire life to the example of his humility, poverty, and service. Flowing from this Christ-centered spirituality is a joyful life that embraces all people and all creation.
Notable Franciscans through History
Many prominent figures in Christianity and society have come from the Franciscan orders. Here are a few notable Franciscans:
- St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) – Franciscan friar, renowned preacher and theologian, Doctor of the Church
- St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) – Franciscan Minister General, theologian, Doctor of the Church
- Duns Scotus (1266-1308) – Franciscan priest and philosopher, known as Doctor Subtilis
- William of Ockham (1285-1347) – Franciscan friar and philosopher, known for Occam’s razor principle
- St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) – Conventual Franciscan friar who gave his life to save a prisoner in Auschwitz
- Eugenio Pacelli (1876-1958) – Conventual Franciscan tertiary, who became Pope Pius XII
In addition, the current Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope and the first to take the papal name Francis. While not a Franciscan himself, he is heavily influenced by Franciscan spirituality in his words and actions.
Franciscan Presence and Mission Today
Today, thousands of friars, sisters, and lay Franciscans carry on the legacy of St. Francis around the world. Some key areas of their mission include:
- Parishes – Franciscans serve in parishes, offering sacramental ministry and spiritual care.
- Missions – From inner cities to remote jungles, Franciscans serve those on the margins and spread the Gospel.
- Retreat centers – Franciscan retreats aim to provide places of prayer, simplicity and renewed focus on God.
- Social justice – Franciscans advocate for human rights, care for creation, and serving the poor.
- Higher education – Franciscan colleges seek to offer value-centered, holistic education.
- Healthcare – Franciscan health organizations continue the tradition of caring for the sick.
The Franciscan orders also have members serving in contemplative prayer, secondary education, parish ministry, scholarly work, administrative roles, and other vocations. They aim in all things to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis.
Conclusion
The Franciscans trace their roots to the ministry of St. Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century. His dedication to radical poverty, humility, and reliance on God sparked a movement that has endured across the centuries. Franciscans strive to live the Gospel fully in joy and simplicity, preaching Christ but only using words when necessary. There are three main Franciscan orders active in the Church today who seek to faithfully live out this charism in diverse ministries and vocations.
At the core of Franciscan spirituality is an all-encompassing love for God expressed through love and service to others. Franciscans aim to rebuild the Church and transform society through their radical witness of poverty, peacemaking, and care for all of creation. Their desire is to fully incarnate the love of Christ in the ordinariness of each moment. In the words attributed to St. Francis, “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.”
