How to Become a Secular Franciscan
The Secular Franciscan Order welcomes lay men and women, and secular clergy, to live the Gospel after the example of St. Francis of Assisi in their everyday state of life. Here is how to join a local fraternity and find Secular Franciscans near you.
What the Secular Franciscan Order is
The Secular Franciscan Order, known by its Latin initials OFS (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis), is an international family of lay Catholics, and secular clergy, who follow a Rule inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. Historically it was called the Third Order Franciscan, distinct from the First Order of friars and the Second Order of Poor Clares. A Secular Franciscan does not enter a monastery; instead, each member lives the Gospel within ordinary life, work, and family.
Tracing its roots to around 1221, the order today numbers close to one million professed members worldwide, gathered into local communities called fraternities. Secular Franciscans seek to bring Franciscan values, simplicity, peace, care for creation, and devotion to the Eucharist, into their neighborhoods. The promise of the order is that holiness is not reserved for the cloister: it is offered to everyone who wants to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis.
Who it is for
The OFS is for practicing Catholics who feel drawn to the spirit of St. Francis and want a structured, supported way to live it out. Members are single and married, young and old, in every kind of profession. Secular (diocesan) clergy may also belong. What unites them is a desire to make the Gospel the rule and life of their daily activity, while staying fully present to their families, work, and parishes.
If you have searched for “secular franciscans near me” or wondered whether a third order Franciscan vocation fits a busy modern life, the answer is that it is designed precisely for that. The fraternity offers companionship, prayer, ongoing formation, and a shared mission, without asking you to leave the world you already live in.
How to become a Secular Franciscan
Becoming a Secular Franciscan is a gradual, prayerful journey rather than a single sign-up. The path generally unfolds in clear stages:
- 1Visit a local fraternity. Attend gatherings to meet members, pray together, and learn how this fraternity lives the Franciscan Rule.
- 2Orientation and inquiry. A get-to-know-you period where you and the fraternity discern whether the OFS is your calling.
- 3Formation. An accompanied period, often around two to three years, studying the Rule, Franciscan spirituality, and Catholic life.
- 4Profession. A permanent, public commitment to live the Gospel after St. Francis as a professed Secular Franciscan.
Every region sets its own schedule, so the surest first step is simply to find and reach out to a fraternity near you. From there, the members and the formation team will walk with you at a pace that honors your life and your discernment.
Find Secular Franciscans near you
Catholic Connect helps you turn interest into a real-life community. Use the tools below to discover a local OFS fraternity, meet members, and take your first concrete step toward the Secular Franciscan Order.
Frequently asked questions
How do you become a Secular Franciscan?
Contact a local fraternity, attend gatherings, then move through orientation, inquiry, and formation, usually around two to three years, ending in profession: a lifelong commitment to live the Gospel after St. Francis in your ordinary state of life.
Is the Secular Franciscan Order the same as the Third Order?
Yes. The OFS was historically called the Third Order of St. Francis, distinct from the First Order (friars) and Second Order (Poor Clares). Today it is officially the Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis.
Do you have to be a priest or religious to join?
No. The OFS is primarily for lay men and women, married or single, living ordinary lives. Secular clergy may also belong. Members keep their jobs, families, and homes while following the Franciscan Rule.
How do I find Secular Franciscans near me?
Use Catholic Connect to find Catholics, groups, and fraternities near you. Search the Nearby map and Groups directory to locate a local OFS fraternity and connect with members.
Take your first step today
Whether you are discerning a third order Franciscan vocation or simply curious, Catholic Connect helps you find the fraternity and the people who will walk with you.