Who Are We????

         "The Franciscan family, as one among many spiritual families raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Church, unites all members of the people of God--laity, religious, and priests-- who recognize that they are called to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. In various ways and forms but in life-giving union with each other, they intend to make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the Church. (Rule, Chapter I, Article I)

          "The Secular Franciscan Order (Ordo Franciscanus Sæcularis, OFS), formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis, is an official Order within the Catholic Church and was established by St. Francis of Assisi in 1221 for lay men and women wanting to follow his way of life. Today's Secular Franciscans follow the Rule approved by Pope Paul VI in 1978.

           "The Five Franciscan Martyrs Region is one of 30 regional fraternities throughout the United States and itself is organized into 40 local fraternities, which are grouped into three areas in Florida, South Georgia and Lower Alabama. Unlike religious brothers and sisters, those in the Secular Franciscan Order (once known as Third or Tertiary order) don't remove themselves from the world but remain in it and "bring the Gospel" to others by the way they live..