The Franciscans

What are the Franciscans?

• The Franciscans is a Christian religious order founded in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi, or of an order based on Franciscan rule.

What do they consist of?

• The Franciscans consists of three orders.
• The first order comprises of priests and lay brothers who have sworn to lead a life of prayer, preaching, and penance.

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• the first order is divided into 3 independent branches--- the Friars Minor, the Friars Minor Conventual, and the friars minor Capuchin.

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• the second order consists of sheltered nuns that belong to the Order of St. Clare.

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• the third order consists of religious and lay men and women that want to copy Saint Francis' spirit by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service.