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Members of the Franciscan Family throughout the world number some 1.2 million Christians. They follow the charism of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi through public vows or promises.
Members include religious sisters, cloistered nuns, ordained priests, non-ordained brothers, and lay people – both married and single. They live in a variety of ways – some in communities, others in families or alone – and work in an infinite number of professions and occupations.
First Order Second Order Third Order Regular Third Order Secular
Throughout history the followers of Francis and Clare have strived to “follow the footprints of Jesus” in their own times. Today friars, sisters, and lay people of the Franciscan Family are found in three groups.
The First Order is comprised of friars who are priests or brothers. In the course of history this First Order formed independent branches. They are:
- The FRIARS MINOR (OFM)
- The CONVENTUALS (OFM Conv)
- The CAPUCHINS (OFM Cap.)
The three branches of the First Order number more than 35,000 friars.
The Second Order is comprised of women religious who are called to a contemplative cloistered life of poverty like St. Clare of Assisi. The Poor Clares as they are called today number about 18,000.
This is the largest part of the Franciscan Family, divided into two branches: the Third Order Regular and the Third Order Secular.
The Third Order Regular are vowed Brothers and Sisters, members of religious congregations inspired by the Franciscan charism. These 130,000 members belong to some 380 communities or congregations worldwide.
The Third Order Secular includes lay people who live the charism of Francis and Clare according to their state of life, whether married or single. They belong to local fraternities and carry the Franciscan charism into their personal and professional lives. Secular Franciscans number around 1 million throughout the world.
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