Service for Women and Men

There are many opportunities for Catholic lay men and women to actively participate in and experience Franciscan communities without making vowed commitments.

The invitation to experience Franciscan spirituality is many times extended to lay men and women by vowed religious communities like the Franciscan Sisters, Friars, and Secular Franciscans. These invitations involve, for example, short and long-term volunteer opportunities, retreats, prayer services and celebrations.

Together as participants in these kinds of Franciscan events and services, men and women form lay communities which share a common vision and spirit which reflects the charism of St. Francis. This ‘charism’ models Francis’ commitment to living in simplicity, poverty, community, and service to the poor. Lay men and women can live and learn about these values in accepting various invitations to Franciscan life without making vowed commitments.