Is God calling you to join the Order?
We hope so. (Perhaps God has directed your eyes to this part of this site.) Here are some questions which may help.
(1) How important is God for you?
Franciscans put first things first. In our lives, God comes first. We don’t pretend to be especially holy – because we’re not! We do strive to follow Jesus in the way of St Francis and the particular values he espoused.
(2) What do you stand for? How do you value yourself?
Many people identify themselves by power, prestige, possessions, position. Franciscans prefer service to status continually asking how can they best serve God, whether in the church, family or world.
(3) How important is prayer to you?
Franciscans take prayer seriously and make it a rule to devote time to prayer and to contemplate on His Word.
(4) Do you think that people have lost sight of God’s values when they place so much emphasis on material possessions while millions go hungry?
Franciscans have a special place in their hearts for the poor and marginalized, and a passion for social justice to prevail.
(5) Do you love nature?
Franciscan take enormous delight and feel constantly blessed by the wonders of nature, reverencing all God’s creation and give joyous praise and thanks to God for “all things great and small”.
(6) What sort of lifestyle do you live – or would you like to live?
Our founder, St Francis challenged conventional values. We believe in community and fellowship, rather than competition and self-seeking individualism; in the importance of caring for others as well as our own families. We view today’s mindless consumerism as shallow, wasteful and wrong-headed and so we strive (as Gandhi put it) “to live simply so that others may simply live.”
(7) How do you treat others?
We believe in the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of humanity and strive to bring love, joy and peace to all we meet. We are particularly mindful of Jesus’ words: “I tell you the truth, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40)
(8) Would you like to join a group of like-minded individuals?
We suggest that the first step is to come and meet us. Deciding to become a Third Party Franciscan (or Tertiary) within this religious order open to all is not an overnight thing. (Some people prefer to simply remain Friends of Companions of the Order.) Do contact us. [Link] You are not under any obligation whatsoever.