Welcome to the Homepage of the Clare-Francis Fraternity

Secular Franciscans are a community of Catholic men and women living and working in the world who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Our Franciscan vocation calls us to respond to the Gospel. We work together in community toward a deep evangelical life and toward communion with all people. This is our way of life.

We are not a club or society. We are united in a international ORDER founded by St. Francis over 750 years ago. There are hundreds of fraternities of Secular Franciscans thoughout the United States. We are a vital part of the entire Franciscan Family.

WHAT WE DO?

• PRAY together and alone.
• LEARN about Christ, Francis, Clare, the Church and ourselves.
• REFLECT on our daily lived experience relating it to Christ's life and teaching.
• LIVE WITH THE GOSPELS as our guide - reaching out to others.

HOW?

• MEET on a regular basis to reflect on our lives and our efforts to live the Gosspel according to the Secular Franciscan Rule.
• RETREAT periocically to gather our thoughts, re-direct our lives on the path of Jesus: pray, taking some time away from everyday work.
• WORK TOGETHER to change our lives and our world for justice for the poor and peace everywhere.

Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the Kingdom of God might be brought about more effectively.

WHY?

We have experineced a desire or call from the Holy Spirit to follow Christ today in the spirit of St. Francis with prayer, support and encouragement of others who, seeking Christ, have also chosen a commitment to a Gospel life style.

Nearly 800 years ago in Assisi (Italy), a man named Francis ws called by God to "Rebuild My Church". The times were difficult, war and greed were rampant. Francis chose the life of Christ (Gospels) as his guide. People began to follow him enbracing his values of poverty, joy, simplicity, gradtitude and love of all God's creatures.

This Franciscan Family grew to include the "lesser Brothers" and "Poor Ladies" and "Penitents" - men and women - clerics, religious and laity. At present there are over one million members of our Franciscan Family worldwide.

To find out more about becoming a member of the Clare-Francis Fraternity click HERE

Here are some links that may interest you:

• Vatican City, the Holy See

• The International Secular Franciscans

• The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington Kentucky

• Here is a cybercourse on St. Francis, St. Clair, and the Franciscan Order

• Some Special Prayers

• A Poem entitled "I'm Fine"

• Lifes Limitations, Mary's Place

• "I See His Blood Upon the Rose" (A poem)

• The prayer of St. Francis before the cross.

• Learn the history of the cross of San Damiano

• Some pictures of our faternity