From the Rule:

As the Father sees in every person the features of his Son, the firstborn of many brothers and sisters, so the Secular Franciscans with a gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ.
A sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ. -Chapter 2, Section 13 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone “who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a man himself,” let them exercise their responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service. -Chapter 2, Section 14 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Let them individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and their courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith. -Chapter 2, Section 15 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Let them esteem work both as a gift and as a sharing in the creation, redemption, and service of the human community. -Chapter 2, Section 16 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order.

In their family they should cultivate the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity, and respect for life, striving to make of it a sign of a world already renewed in Christ. By living the grace of matrimony, husbands and wives in particular should bear witness in the world to the love of Christ for His Church. They should joyfully accompany their children on their human and spiritual journey by providing a simple and open Christian education and being attentive to the vocation of each child. -Chapter 2, Section 17 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which “bear the imprint of the Most High,” and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship. -Chapter 2, Section 18 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others. Since they are immersed in the resurrection of Christ, which gives true meaning to Sister Death, let them serenely tend toward the ultimate encounter with the Father. -Chapter 2, Section 19 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Regional JPIC Contact:

For more information on the Region’s JPIC initiatives, contact, Jeff Gumz, OFS, via phone at (920) 866-2005 or via email at

Important JPIC Materials

• “Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching.” These themes guide our JPIC work.
• “How is Franciscan Life Distinct?” (41K PDF) This document helps us live out the JPIC mission in our lives.
• “Guided 1:1 Prompts: ‘How did Francis find you?'” (110K PDF) “One-to-one” is a conversation between two people. It should last 30 to 45 minutes in order to discover common interests and get a deeper appreciation of one another. Using this one-to-one method can:
  • deepen relationships within fraternities;
  • build relationships within regions;
  • foster relationships with outside groups and individuals.

Links

NAFRA JPIC webpage

Franciscan Action Network (FAN)