Jane DeRose-Bamman, minister of the Secular Franciscan Order-USA, began her State of the Order at the National Chapter on Sept. 10, 2025, with words of inspiration taken from a 2018 letter by Tibor Kauser, minister general:

“Our goal is to become holy, to show God’s love to the world, to make the life of others better, to get closer to God and to bring others closer to God.”

These words, Jane said, remain the heart of the Secular Franciscan vocation.

The Secular Franciscan Order has experienced a steady decline in membership over the past 15 years. A polished database, along with deaths and departures of members, shows that national active, professed membership has dropped from 14,000 in 2010 to just under 10,000 today.

The nation’s oldest fraternity, founded 166 years ago in Utica, NY, proudly counted Sister Marianne Cope among its members. Today, the Order includes 534 fraternities, with new ones still forming. “That means there is a spark there,” Jane said.

Twenty fraternities have deactivated in the past few months, reflecting the shifting landscape of vocations.

The age of members highlights both vitality and challenge:

  • 9% are 60 years old and younger
  • 43% are between 61 and 79 years old
  • 21% are 80 years old and over
  • 7 members are 100 years old and older
  • 27% remain unaccounted for due to incomplete age data in the database

The bottom line, Jane summarized:

  • Membership is declining.
  • Members are aging.
  • The number of fraternities has remained steady over the last 50 years.
  • Strong, dynamic fraternities remain key to attracting new vocations.
  • Outreach must be tailored to reach different generations effectively.

Despite these challenges, Jane emphasized the vibrant life of service that defines Secular Franciscans:

“Who are we? We are servants who are building homes, caring for people in need at the, supplying food pantries and otherwise ministering to the poor,” Jane said.

Most recently, regions contributed $23,000 to a leprosy center in Zimbabwe, responding to a request from General Minister Tibor Kauser. This reflects the Franciscan mission of compassion and global solidarity.  Regions also responded with financial contributions to the floods in Texas.

The past three years have been a time of meaningful activity

  • Fraternal Visitations: 7 since the last Chapter; 26 over three years.
  • Regional Elections: 15 since the last Chapter; 32 over three years.
  • Virtual connections with the National Fraternity Council, including online meet-and-greets.

These efforts have strengthened relationships and provided continuity despite the challenges of distance and changing demographics.

Jane outlined a forward-looking agenda for the National Executive Council over the next three years:

  • Revision of the National Statutes
  • Rollout of a Communications Manual
  • New branding and vocational materials
  • Updated guidelines and translations
  • Continued publication of TAU-USA
  • Preparations for the 2026 and 2031 Quinquennials
  • An Action Plan for new priorities and leadership transitions
  • Planning for the 50th Anniversary of the OFS Rule in 2028
  • Focus on youth and young adult vocations
  • Stewardship of a major bequest

While Jane acknowledged realities, she also pointed to signs of hope: the spark of new fraternities, the witness of faithful service, and the enduring Franciscan call to holiness and mission.

The State of the Order reminds Secular Franciscans that renewal is not only possible but already happening in communities across the country. In Jane’s words, the future depends on building strong, dynamic fraternities where God’s love is alive and visible in service to the world.

A PowerPoint with the statistics Jane discussed can be found on the Chapter page of the website.