Who Are We?

We are lay men and women from throughout the Herndon area who are learning to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis. We are teachers, nurses, accountants, homemakers, lawyers, retirees, computer wizards, gardeners, parents, grandparents, children and friends.

Is God calling you to the Secular Franciscan Order?

The process of becoming a professed Secular Franciscan is a journey that involves three separate stages and culminates in a lifelong commitment to live the Gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. This formation process unfolds in regu­larly scheduled formation sessions during which the home study mate­rial is thoroughly discussed.

ORIENTATION
The first stage, Orientation, provides time for dialogue and developing rela­tionships in the fraternity. During Ori­entation, you will be introduced to the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare and share in Franciscan prayer life. You will be given general information about the Secular Franciscan Order.

Orientation is a time to discern whether the Spirit is calling you to a Secular Franciscan vocation. The period of Orientation is a minimum of three months.

INQUIRY
The second stage, Inquiry, is the first formal period of initiation. It is a time of in-depth study of the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare. During Inquiry, you will learn about the Franciscan charism and Franciscan history. You will deepen your understanding of what it means to be secular and Franciscan, and you will continue to discern whether the Spirit is calling you to the Secular Franciscan way of life. The period of Inquiry is a minimum of six months. If a vocation is discerned, the Inquirer is received into the Order.

CANDIDACY
The third stage, Candidacy, is the final formal period of initiation. It is a time of preparing for permanent commit­ment by immersion in fraternity life. Central to this stage of formation is the period of Candidacy, which is a minimum of 18 months and culmi­nates in permanent commitment to the Gospel life. After profession of the Rule and permanent commitment to the Gospel way of life, the newly professed member continues with the rest of the fraternity in ongoing formation.