The Secular Franciscan Order is a worldwide official order within the Catholic Church that was established by Saint Francis of Assisi more than 800 years ago. Its purpose is to help members look for ways to embrace the Gospel in their lives and help others do the same.
Oklahoma’s region, Juan de Padilla, spans three states, including Oklahoma, Kansas and parts of Missouri. Regions are further divided into local fraternities. Oklahoma’s local fraternity, fittingly named “Saint Francis of Assisi,” includes members from across the state.
Secular Franciscans live as anyone else who is trying to live the Gospel in their personal lives and work. Members can be men or women, married or single, with any vocational background. A members must be a practicing Catholic in good standing and at least age 18. Prospective members embark on a period of discernment before joining a local fraternity.
Unlike religious men and women, secular Franciscans do not take vows. They make a public profession to live the OFS Rule, usually during Mass. This profession is a lifetime commitment.
Secular Franciscans live the Gospel values by adhering to the motto “going from Gospel to life and life to the Gospel.”
Bill Full, a geologist by trade, serves as the minister for the Saint Francis of Assisi fraternity. Full said the Franciscan way is one of constant conversion that is a continual inward change that sees Christ in people, nature and everywhere.
“Our mandate is to go out and preach the Gospel, using words when necessary,” Full said.
Full said while it is important to tell people about secular Franciscans, it is equally important to ask the community to join them in prayer.
“We serve all people,” Full said. “Our goal is to see Christ in everyone.”
Kay Sullivan, a convert to Catholicism and member of the secular Franciscans, said being a part of the Franciscan community has provided a direct line to meet the needs of others, but said it wasn’t until she stood up and said, “yes,” that she felt this call changed her life.
“People are called to Franciscan spirituality long before they know what it is,” she said. “That is why when you come to your first meeting you start feeling that draw.”
Sullivan, the secretary and acting treasurer of the Saint Francis of Assisi fraternity, said her goal is to walk in the footsteps of Saint Francis in following the Gospel of Christ.
“Being a Franciscan has changed my life to slow down and look at what God really does in my life,” she said, “and appreciate the wonders of creation God gives us and recognize my responsibility to take care of this earth.”
Sullivan said she always was interested in living a peaceful life but struggled to materialize what “peace” looked like.
“If you really want to walk like Francis, then you must actually live it. You can’t be in your car screaming at the driver that cut you off. You must be able to accept that and know that is not you,” she said.
“When you think about how you are trying to live your life, it’s not just what you say and believe, but you have to act (in accordance) with what you say you believe.”
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.