The Franciscan Order is a Catholic religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209, dedicated to living out the Gospel in poverty, humility, and service. Known for their simplicity and love of creation, Franciscans follow Christ’s example through preaching, charity, and a deep connection to the poor, shaping the Church with a spirit of joy and peace.
The Franciscan Order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209. Born into wealth in 1181/82, Francis renounced his possessions after a conversion experience, embracing a life of poverty and preaching. Inspired by Matthew 10:7-10, he sought to follow Christ literally, gaining papal approval from Pope Innocent III for his small band of followers, known as the “Lesser Brothers” or Friars Minor.
The core mission is to live the Gospel radically, imitating Christ’s humility and love for the poor. Franciscans take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, emphasizing simplicity and service. Their Rule, approved in 1223 by Pope Honorius III, calls them to preach penance, care for the marginalized, and foster peace, reflecting Francis’ vision of rebuilding the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 544).
The Order has three main branches: the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv), and the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap). The OFM focuses on apostolic work, the Conventuals on community life and urban ministry, and the Capuchins, founded in 1528, on strict poverty and contemplation. There’s also the Second Order (Poor Clares) for women and the Third Order for laypeople and secular priests.
Poverty is central because St. Francis saw it as a way to imitate Christ, who “became poor for our sake” (2 Corinthians 8:9). He called it “Lady Poverty,” a virtue freeing them from materialism to trust in God’s providence (Rule of 1221, Ch. 6). Franciscans historically owned little, relying on alms, which shaped their solidarity with the poor and their preaching of dependence on God.
Franciscans see creation as a reflection of God’s goodness, inspired by St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Creatures,” praising Brother Sun and Sister Moon. Francis treated animals and nature as kin, famously preaching to birds (Fioretti). This theology aligns with Catholic teaching on stewardship (Catechism 2415), influencing modern ecology movements and earning Francis the title of patron saint of the environment.
The Franciscan habit is a simple brown or gray tunic with a hood and cord belt, symbolizing poverty and humility. The three knots on the cord represent their vows. St. Francis adopted this from peasants’ clothing, rejecting worldly status. It’s a visible sign of their identity, uniting them in their mission and recalling Christ’s call to take up the cross (Matthew 16:24).
Franciscans revitalized the medieval Church through preaching and charity, reaching the poor and uneducated. They produced theologians like St. Bonaventure and Duns Scotus, and missionaries like St. Junipero Serra, spreading Christianity globally. Their emphasis on Christ’s humanity enriched devotions like the Nativity scene, credited to St. Francis, and the Stations of the Cross.
The Poor Clares, founded by St. Clare of Assisi in 1212 under Francis’ guidance, are the contemplative branch. Living in enclosure, they dedicate themselves to prayer and penance, supporting the friars’ active mission spiritually. Their radical poverty mirrors Francis’, and their hidden life reflects Mary’s humility, sustaining the Order’s Gospel witness (Rule of St. Clare).
Laypeople join through the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS), formerly the Third Order, living Franciscan values in daily life. Professing a Rule approved in 1221, they commit to simplicity, prayer, and service without leaving their families or jobs. Figures like St. Louis IX and St. Elizabeth of Hungary exemplify this path, showing holiness in the world.
Peace is key due to St. Francis’ life, like his meeting with Sultan al-Kamil in 1219 during the Crusades, seeking dialogue over conflict. His prayer, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” embodies this. Franciscans mediate disputes and promote reconciliation, reflecting Christ as Prince of Peace (John 16:33), a legacy alive in their ministries today.
Today, Franciscans run schools, hospitals, and missions worldwide, serving the poor and advocating for justice. They address modern issues like poverty and climate change, as seen in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, inspired by St. Francis. From urban parishes to remote villages, they bring Gospel joy, adapting their charism to contemporary needs.
Franciscans preach with simplicity and action, heeding St. Francis’ advice: “Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.” They evangelize through example—living humbly among people—rather than just sermons. This resonates with Matthew 5:16 (“Let your light shine”), making their lives a witness to Christ’s love, especially to the overlooked.
The Eucharist is central, as St. Francis saw it as Christ’s ongoing presence, writing in his Testament, “I see nothing bodily of the Most High Son of God except this.” Franciscans celebrate it with reverence, linking it to their poverty—depending on God’s gift. It fuels their mission, uniting them to Christ’s sacrifice and the poor they serve.
St. Francis’ influence stems from his radical love, humility, and universal appeal. Canonized in 1228, just two years after his death, his life inspired art, literature, and spirituality beyond Catholicism. His stigmata—bearing Christ’s wounds—marked him as uniquely Christ-like (Galatians 6:17). Today, his legacy shapes figures like Pope Francis, who chose his name for its call to simplicity.
For Catholics, the Franciscans model Gospel living in a materialistic world, challenging excess with joy and care for creation. Their presence in parishes and missions reminds believers of Christ’s call to the least (Matthew 25:40). In an age of division, their peace-making and service offer hope, inviting all to encounter God through simplicity and love.
Franciscan spirituality is a way of life centered on following Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, emphasizing poverty, humility, and a joyful love for all creation. It’s rooted in the Gospel, particularly Matthew 10:7-10, and seeks to encounter God in simplicity, the poor, and nature—seen as a “book” revealing divine beauty (Catechism 2416). Key practices include prayer, penance, and service, often expressed through St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Creatures” and a focus on Christ’s incarnation and passion, fostering peace and gratitude in daily life.
Famous Franciscan saints include St. Francis of Assisi, the founder (d. 1226), known for his stigmata and love of creation; St. Clare of Assisi (d. 1253), who established the Poor Clares; St. Anthony of Padua (d. 1231), a preacher and miracle-worker; St. St. Bonaventure (d. 1274), a theologian and Doctor of the Church; St. Junipero Serra (d. 1784), a missionary in the Americas; and St. Maximilian Kolbe (d. 1941), a martyr who died in Auschwitz. These saints embody the Order’s diverse charisms of preaching, contemplation, and sacrifice.