Secular
Franciscan
Order
The rule of the Secular Franciscan Order is to observe the gospel of Jesus Christ led by the way Saint Francis of Assisi exemplified it.
This Order is international and over 800 years old. There are upwards of 1 million Secular Franciscans across the globe.
In Latin the order is named Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis, which is abbreviated as OFS. Those are the three letters after the professed members’ names.
The Sts. Francis and Clare Fraternity
We gather once a month on the third Sunday at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church in Farragut, with the exception of June and December when we meet on the second Sunday due to the holidays. Those in initial formation start at 1:30PM. Then the professed join for the gathering at 2:30PM. We have a small meal brought potluck style, share brief business information, introduce a Franciscan saint of the month, have ongoing formation for all attending and close with the Evening Prayer of the Divine Office/Liturgy of the Hours.
The address is 633 St. John Court, Knoxville, TN 37934 in Seton Hall adjacent to the Church Building.
Twice a year we conduct a Day of Reflection, which is an all day retreat with the fraternity. Once a year, we gather with all the other fraternities in our region.
Meet us better
Secular Franciscans in Numbers
31
National Regions
29
Fraternities in our Brothers & Sisters of St. Francis Region
4
Tennessean Fraternities
These are the statistics of the United States as of 4/10/2023.
The OFS is an international order.
Who Are Secular Franciscans
Lay people, 18 years and older, who are following the OFS rule in their daily life. They can be single or married.
Rich and Poor. Young and Old alike. Saints Elizabeth of Hungary and Louis the King, both royalty and are both the patroness & patron of the OFS. Despite their wealth, they were detached from the things of this world.
There are many famous Secular Franciscans over the centuries: St. Joan of Arc, St. Thomas More, St. Jane Frances de Chantel, St. Charles Borromeo, St. John Vianney, Pope St. John XXIII, St. John Bosco, St. Bridget of Sweden, Ferdinand & Isabella of Spain, Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael, Dante, Franz, Louis Pasteur
Is the OFS a real Order?
Yes! Like all orders we have a Rule, Constitution and Statutes, and a formation period leading to a formal profession. Also, we have a monthly gathering which substitutes for communal living.
Why are you called “Secular”?
“Secular” means that we live in the world, and though we make a public profession, we are not bound by vows as are consecrated religious orders.
All images on this site are all marked public domain and obtained from Wikimedia Commons.
St Francis of Assisi adoring the Crucifix – Bernardo Strozzi 1615
Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata – Salvador Maella 1787
Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata – Master Staffolo circa 1420
Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata – El Greco between 1585 and 1590
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary – Hugues Merle 1879
Portrait of Sir Thomas More – Hans Holbein the Younger 1527
Sts. Francis & Clare Fraternity 