The Franciscan Movement

The First Order of Franciscans is made up of three orders of Friars. All of these friars live by the Rule of 1223, written by St. Francis of Assisi. The Conventual Franciscan Friars date back to the days of Saint Francis. We were those early Friars who ministered in large urban areas and lived in houses called "convents" and thus the name Conventual.

The Order of Friars Minor (popularly called "Brown Franciscans" because of the color of their habit) also date back to the days of Saint Francis. They officially received this name from Pope Leo XIII in 1897 when he merged many smaller branches of the Order into one. The Capuchin Friars are a 16th century reform of the then existing branches. They wear a brown habit with a long hood attached directly to the tunic.

The Second Order of Franciscans is comprised of the Poor Clare Sisters. These Franciscan women live by the Rule of St. Clare of 1253. Saint Clare was a contemporary of Saint Francis and, with his help, established a contemplative order of nuns dedicated to poverty and prayer. Saint Clare was a spiritual friend to Saint Francis and had great influence on him and the development of the Franciscan movement.

The Third Order of Franciscans has three parts. First, are many orders of men like the Third Order Regulars, Atonement Friars, Friars of the Renewal, Franciscan Brothers of Peace, Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, etc.

Second, there are thousands of Franciscan sister communities who have long histories and been powerful presences in many places. Finally, the Third Order includes the Secular Franciscan Order which is comprised of lay people, whether single or married, who follow their own rule of Franciscan life. The live the Rule for the Third Order of St. Francis of Pope Paul VI, written in 1974.

All three branches had their beginnings during the time of Saint Francis, certainly a testament to the universality of his witness and message, and the need to express it in many ways. With Francis as our spiritual father and Clare as our spiritual mother, we are all brothers and sisters to one another in the Franciscan movement and thus brothers and sisters to all of God's children and creation. At times all branches come together to support a common ministry. This is perhaps best exemplified at the United Nations with Franciscans International, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that is considered one of the most powerful NGOs at the UN.