Our Charism
The Franciscan Way in the Evangelical Catholic Tradition
We are a community shaped by the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi — called to live the Gospel with simplicity, joy, and radical openness to God and neighbor.
The Franciscan Charism
The word charism comes from the Greek word for gift. The Franciscan charism is the particular gift that St. Francis of Assisi received from God and bequeathed to the Church — a way of living the Gospel that is marked by poverty of spirit, fraternal love, care for creation, and joyful service to the poor and marginalized.
Francis did not set out to found a religious order. He simply tried to live the Gospel literally — to follow Christ poor, humble, and crucified. What emerged was a movement of extraordinary spiritual vitality that has shaped the Church and the world for eight centuries.
The Third Order — or Secular Franciscan Order — extends this charism to laypeople and clergy who live in the world. We do not live in a monastery, but we carry the monastery within us: a commitment to prayer, simplicity, and service woven into the fabric of ordinary life.
"Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
— St. Francis of Assisi
Our Church Home
The Evangelical Catholic Church
The Evangelical Catholic Church is a jurisdiction in the catholic tradition that holds together the fullness of apostolic faith with a deep commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel. We are catholic in our sacramental life, our ordered ministry, and our connection to the ancient creeds and councils of the Church.
We are evangelical in our conviction that the Good News of Jesus Christ must be proclaimed with urgency and clarity — that the Church exists not for itself but for the world. This evangelical catholicity shapes everything about how we worship, how we serve, and how we welcome those who come seeking God.
Within this tradition, the Franciscan charism finds a natural home. The simplicity and joy of Francis, his love for the poor, his reverence for creation — these are not merely historical curiosities but living gifts for the Church today.
How We Live
Our Spiritual Vision
Gospel Simplicity
We seek to hold lightly the things of this world, trusting that God is our sufficiency. Simplicity is not poverty of imagination but richness of attention — to God, to one another, to the present moment.
Fraternal Love
Francis called his brothers and sisters to love one another as a mother loves her child. Our community is bound not by contract but by covenant — a shared life of mutual care, accountability, and encouragement.
Care for Creation
Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Sister Water — Francis saw all creation as family. We are called to tend the earth with reverence and to resist the forces that exploit and destroy what God has made.
Service to the Poor
Francis embraced the leper. He saw in the face of the poor the face of Christ. Our community is called to the same radical hospitality — to see, to serve, and to stand with those whom the world passes by.
"Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words."
— attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
If this vision stirs something in you, we invite you to learn more about our Rule of Life and how to join our community.