Franciscan orders in Lutheranism

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Franciscan spirituality was not favoured by Reformation, but later the 20th century High Church Movement has given birth to Franciscan orders among revival of religious orders and confraternities in Lutheran Churches.

In Europe, there are two Franciscan third orders.

  • Evangelische Franziskaner-Tertiaren (Lutheran Franciscan Tertiaries, officially "Evangelische Franziskanerbruderschaft der Nachfolge Christi") was founded in Germany 1927 within Hochkirchliche Vereinigung.
  • Franciskus Tredje Orden, FTO in Church of Sweden, is part of the European Province of the Third Order of the Anglican Society of St Francis.

In Church of Sweden, there is also Helige Franciskus Systraskap (Sisterhood of Saint Francis), a religious community in Klaradal convent in Sjövik.

In North America, there is a third order, Evangelical Society of the Cross Franciscan (ESC/F), founded in January of 1988 in Orlando, Florida. [1]

Also in North America Order of Saint Francis-Lutheran (OSF-L) within International Lutheran Fellowship has establishments in Canada and the United States. The Order includes both ordained clergy and lay brothers and sisters.

In Lutheran church, there has been also more general interest to Franciscan spirituality. E.g. "Assisi-Kredsen" in Denmark is an ecumenical society, which e.g. arranges journeys to Assisi and in Franciscan convents. Members are mostly Lutherans.


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