Along with the entire Franciscan family, the spirituality of the secular Franciscan is intensely Christocentric and focused on Jesus, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, who became one of us in the Incarnation. Franciscan spirituality is primarily focused on Christ’s Incarnation, His Passion, and His Presence in the Eucharist.  For secular Franciscans, Jesus is the inspiration and center of our life with God and with people.  He is the way to the Father, and the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us. (OFS Rule, Article 4).  In His passion, Christ shows us how to embrace the will of the Father and to accept the crosses in our lives.  And in the Eucharist we experience the gift of God’s love and the reality that Christ remains among us.  In one major respect, secular Franciscan spirituality differs from that of the religious. Secular Franciscans live in the world and their primary sphere of activity and influence is in the ordinary events of daily life: in their families, their communities, their workplaces, and their parishes.

For Up to Now: Foundational Topics for Initial Formation (FUN Manual)

On the FUN Manual page, you will find these resources:

  • Reflections on Formation Topics in the FUN Manual by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
  • FUN CD Contents
  • Various Other FUN-Related Documents
  • Ordering Information

  1. Introduction
  2. Propositum Vitae
  3. Primary & Alternate View
  4. Clare – Poverty & Humility
  5. Bonaventure
  6. Scotus & Franciscan Theology
  7. Eucharist
  8. Secular Spirituality

Selected Bibliography