Franciscan orders in the Anglican Communion

Franciscan orders are, collectively, the various religious orders which follow the Rules of life composed by Francis of Assisi and Clare of Assisi. This article discusses Franciscan orders in the Anglican Communion; there are also Franciscan orders in Roman Catholicism, Franciscan orders in Lutheranism, and some Franciscan orders that are ecumenical or non-denominational. There are also religious orders in Anglicanism following other, non-Franciscan, rules.

Society of St Francis

The main manifestation of the Franciscan life within the Anglican Communion is the Society of St Francis. It is fully recognised as part of the Anglican Communion, and has around 3,000 members in its constituent orders. The Society is made up of several distinct orders: the Brothers of the First Order (Society of St Francis, SSF); the Sisters of the First Order (Community of St Francis, CSF); the Sisters of the Second Order (Community of St Clare, OSC); the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order (Third Order of St Francis, TSSF).[1]

Francis of Assisi and Clare of Assisi, the founders of the Franciscan movement, produced separate rules for three parallel Orders - the First Order were to be mendicant friars, embracing poverty as a gift from God, and living the community life in the world, serving the poor. The Second Order were to be a parallel community of sisters living a more enclosed life of prayer and contemplation. The Third Order was to consist of brothers and sisters not living in community, nor under full monastic vows, but nevertheless taking simple promises, and following a Rule of life in the world. These three Orders still co-exist as parts of the Franciscan family in Anglicanism,[2] as well as in other Christian denominations. Francis also wrote a Rule for those wishing to follow the contemplative life (in the style of the Second Order), but living alone as Christian hermits.

First Order

'First Order' Franciscans live in community under traditional vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In the Anglican Communion the male first order is known as the Society of St Francis, and brothers have the initials 'SSF' after their name; the female first order is known as the Community of St Francis, and sisters have the initials 'CSF' after their name. The First Order brothers and sisters operate worldwide, dividing themselves into internal provinces, and have around 200 members.

Second Order

'Second Order' Franciscans live in enclosed community, taking the same traditional vows, but following a version of the Rule of St Francis modified to reflect a more contemplative lifestyle. Second Order sisters are often known as 'Poor Clares', though they should properly be known as the Order of St Clare, or Community of St Clare. The sisters have the initials 'OSC' after their names. They are the smallest part of the Franciscan family and are currently active only in the United Kingdom, at St Mary's Convent, Freeland, Oxfordshire. The sisters believe that their 'enclosed' life does not mean being 'shut in', but rather an opportunity to live and work together on one site in real community.[3] The former second order convent in New York, opened in 1922, closed in 2003 following the death of the last sister of the Poor Clares of Reparation and Adoration (OSC).

Third Order

'Third Order' Franciscans live as a dispersed community, which means that they meet together regularly for prayer, study, and fellowship, but live individually on a day to day basis. Some live alone, others as part of a family. Members may be single or married, and male or female. They do not take the traditional three-fold vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience, but they do enter into a binding promise, and live by a Rule of life based upon Francis of Assisi's original Third Order Rule.

Other Franciscan orders

Whilst the Society of St Francis (First, Second, and Third Orders), operating worldwide, is widely recognised as the principal branch of Francsicanism within the Anglican Church, there are other religious orders following the Franciscan Rule, and living the Franciscan life. Those that are officially recognised as part of the Anglican Communion include the following.

Other First Order

Other Second Order (and Hermitage)

Other Third Order

See also

References

  1. The Society of Saint Francis - The Constitution"
  2. See details on this website.
  3. The community describes this on this webpage.
  4. The agreement and history are outlined here at the Anglican Communion website.
  5. Details here on the Anglican Communion website.
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