Our Vision

The Vision of the Franciscan Federation is to deepen the understanding and love of the Third Order Regular Charism in our lives in order to share this gift with the Church and the World.

Our Mission

The Mission of the Franciscan Federation is to promote exploration and study of Franciscan Evangelical Life and its implications for these times and for our world. The Federation provides national and regional opportunities to collaborate, gather, and celebrate so that the brothers and sisters can better live the Third Order Regular call to conversion, contemplation, poverty, and humility.

Third Order Regular Rule 1982

“Inspired by the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, the members of the Third Order Regular set forth to follow Jesus Christ by living in fraternal communion, by professing the observance of the evangelical counsels of obedience, poverty and chastity in public vows, and by giving themselves to innumerable expressions of apostolic activity.  To actualize in the best way possible their chosen way of life, they dedicate themselves unreservedly to prayer, strive to grow in fraternal love, live true penance and cultivate Christian self-denial.”

(Given at Rome, at Saint Peter’s under the ring of the Fisherman, on the 8th day of December, 1982, the fifth day of our pontificate by  John Paul II as a Perpetual Memorial.)

Bylaws – The Franciscan Federation, Third Order Regular, of the Sisters and Brothers in the United States

“And wherever the brothers and sisters may be together or meet (other) brothers and sisters let them give witness that they are members of one family. And let each one confidently make known his (or her) need to the other, for if a mother has such care and love for her son born according to the flesh (cf. Thess. 2:7), should not someone love and care for his (her) brothers and sisters according to the Spirit more diligently?” (cf. Reg B 6, 7-8; cf. Reg TOR 7:23; cf. Writings of Francis and Clare)