About us

Inquirers

Few Saints are more immediately recognizable than St. Francis of Assisi. He is recognized, loved, and claimed by Christians of all denominations, and even embraced by non-Christians. Francis seized the imaginations of his contemporaries, as well as that of modern men, by his unique simplicity, a pure grace of spirit, his overwhelming love for God, and his mode of life in which he actively sought to live according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, given the extent with which he's loved, few Saints are less understood than Francis is. To the modern mind, Francis is a caricature. He is the simple, lovable, man who preached to birds, tamed wolves, talked to fish, and was so gentle that wild hare leapt into his arms. But he's so much more than that.

Who We Are

By the example of his own sacrifice, Jesus reveals the secret of bearing fruit; in surrendering himself to death, he becomes the source of new life. Risen from death on the cross, he draws all people to himself. Clinging to life causes life to decay; the life that is freely given is eternal. Jesus calls those who would serve him to follow his example of surrender and sacrifice. To those who hear and obey, he promises union with God.

The object of the Franciscan Order of the Divine Compassion is to build a community of those who accept Christ as their Lord and Master and are dedicated to him in body and spirit. They surrender their lives to him and to the service of his people. The Third Order consists of those who, while following the ordinary professions of life, feel called to dedicate their lives under a definite discipline and promises. They may be female or male, married or single, lay or ordained.

Our Tertiaries are men and women who have dedicated themselves to God in a special way, as a result of an inward drawing which is believed to be the guidance of the Holy Spirit; but partly, at least, they have found inspiration in the life and good works of St. Francis of Assisi. He was a man who learned to love God passionately, and therefore tried to follow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with the abandonment of a complete human generosity. In the words of the prayer; “may almighty God grant that we who walk in the way of our Blessed Father Francis may receive his blessing and ever strive to maintain his spirit and godly example, so as never to fall from his favor or paternal blessing.”

Our Franciscan Vows

Simplicity

The first Christians surrendered completely to our Lord and generously gave all that they had, this ideal was renewed by St. Francis when he chose Lady Poverty as his bride, desiring that all barriers set up by privilege based upon wealth should be destroyed by love. This is the inspiration for the promise of Simplicity. Tertiaries, though they possess property and earn money to support themselves and their families, show themselves true followers of Christ and of St. Francis by their readiness to live simply and to share with others.

Purity

The promise of Purity seeks to respect the integrity and worth of all people. The chief object of the promise of Purity is to emphasize the truth that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and that we were bought with a price. This can only be achieved by a spirit of Purity which sees others as belonging to God and not as a means of self-fulfillment.

Fidelity

The promise of Fidelity is found in the conviction that Jesus Christ is the perfect revelation of God; that true life has been made available to us through his Incarnation and Ministry, by his Cross and Resurrection, and by the sending of his Holy Spirit. The Order believes that it is the commission of the Church to make the Gospel known to all and therefore seeks fidelity to the duty of bringing others to know Christ, and of praying and working for the coming of the Kingdom of God. The primary aim of the promise of Fidelity therefore is to make Christ known.

Our Formation Process

As a living testimonial to today’s ecumenical accords, this Order is open for membership to all baptized and confirmed Anglican practicing like-minded Christians who:

1) Are communicant members of Anglican jurisdictions or Churches within the Apostolic succession;

2) Are at least eighteen years of age;

3) Believe themselves to be called by the Holy Spirit to a life of prayer, study, and work after the example of St. Francis as described in the documents and taught by the Order;

4) Are fully committed to the historic Catholic faith as defined in The Credenda of the Order, and are willing to given written evidence thereof in the required manner.

Aspirants shall undergo a postulancy of at least six months and keep an experimental rule before being admitted to the novitiate. Normally, a two-year novitiate is served before being considered for reception into Holy Profession in the Order. It is understood that at Holy Profession, Tertiaries commit themselves to Christ with the Third Order with lifelong intention.

Download the Application

Companions

Persons associated with the Order, who are not Postulants, Novices, Professed Brothers or Sisters, or Oblates of St. Francis, are referred to as Companions. It is anticipated that those seeking Companion status will participate in the devotional and prayer life of the Order through the recitation of the daily prayer and the support the Order financially with their alms.

Companions are included on our mailing list to receive the Order’s Newsletter, the Franciscan Greetings, and they may attend, without voice or vote, Convocations and General Chapter meetings of the Order. Those wishing to become Companions of the Order are invited to make application through the Secretary-General of the Order by writing to the Secretary-General at the Order’s published address.

The Provincial Minister for the Diaspora is responsible for attending to the needs of our Companions.

Download Companion Application

The Offices of the Order

The Franciscan Order of the Divine Compassion has a canonical structure to assist with the running of the Order while serving it's membership. The Minister General serves as the head servant and assisting him, is a council of advisors, known as the Discretorium.

The Discretorium includes the follow servant members:

Vicar General - who assists the Minister General in the daily, world-wide running of the Order

Secretary-General

Almoner and Procurer General

Provincial Minister of the Americas

Provincial Minister of Papua New Guinea

Provincial Minister of the Diaspora

Each office is filled by members selected by the Minister General and all offices are servants of the Order and it's membership.