My (Secular) Franciscan Journey (OBCL 157)

[@colleenorrick5415]

I have always loved St. Francis. I’m retired now and keep getting drawn to Secular Franciscan life.

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Many fraternities in the USA are meeting in person again and forming new classes. Let me know if you need help finding a fraternity or have any questions!

[@StarTigerJLN]

I've revently become interested in the OFS and this made me smile, because I'm exactly that mud puddle kid who loves nature, too.....

[@tiffanym663]

That’s so nice! I started that a few years ago as well, I go to the Adoration Chapel at midnight on my birthday! A great way to start a new year!!

[@dianarivers1885]

I love nature and grew up in wilderness Alaska. The mountains had presence and nature could keep me entertained all day. I felt there had to be a loving God. Yes, Francis caught me too. I have been a Secular Franciscan for 21 years now.

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

What is the Secular Franciscan experience like in Alaska? Are there many fraternities? Do you meet in person? I have so many questions!

[@maireahernofs6682]

So nice to see a younger person like myself in formation. My husband and I are in our second year. I have loved every step of the way! My mother and two siblings were professed years ago. Thank you for the video, there is not many out there.

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Thank you! It took me so long to find the Secular Franciscans because I didn’t know they existed. Getting the word out is so important (so that those hearing the call can find the path). What a blessing your family is! Thank you for sharing.

[@wilmerdeleon6415]

Nice to know your interesting experience sister. I hope to become a professed member of SFO also, I am still a novice. Greetings from Guatemala city! Pax et bonum!

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

W. David Herrarte peace and all good, my brother in Francis & Clare.

[@jenniferhosmer9180]

So great to see you and hear you! You had a vocation for sure!!! God bless you! Thank you for sharing. It made my day!

[@joseroca906]

I’m a current OFS candidate. I’ve learned a lot watching your KZbin channel. Thank you

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Thank you! Yes, I have learned so much about how the charism is lived by different Franciscan groups as well as within the OFS. It’s definitely a journey! “Further Up and further in!” (CS Lewis, not St. Francis)

[@aleksandraczapla209]

Great grandma from Canada...welcome! St Francis was inspired to call all of us for nothing is impossible with God who has prepared a place for those whom he loves and welcomes with open arms and unfathomable mercy.

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

One of mine own grandmothers, as a little girl, came to America from Canada! Nice to meet you.

[@aleksandraczapla209]

@@DeannaWillistonOFS Pokoj i dobro. (Peace and all good.) I have some family members in the States. Happy to meet you also. It is pleasant to send greetings beyond the borders of our home parishes.

[@marisantana6057]

Beautiful and so grateful that you shared your experience. I'm in the inquiring phase. Welcomed last Month. Feels like home thus far...such loving people ❤ 🕊🙏 from Massachusetts

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Welcome! 💕

[@joedi1656]

Priceless testimony 🕊

[@kevinkelly8037]

Thanks for being so inspiring and loving Jesus so much, Kevin

[@davidbmason]

Hi from Brisbane, Australia. Becoming a novice in two weeks and make my two year vows. Love the concept of listening to Gods voice in nature.

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Congratulations! Keep us updated on your journey...Also, you should check out my video on St. Francis’ Canticle of Jesus Christ.

[@joseroca906]

I might be professed this year and I draw inspirations from your testimonies.

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Oh, how wonderful! Please let us know the date & we can all pray for you.

[@juliawoods-larsen2088]

Fear of the Lord is part of the nature things too. It is a gift of fear of the Lord. ;) God Bless your journey.

[@54leonilda]

Great explanation

[@br.vincentmcdermott4383]

Very inspiring. Thank you

[@valorwalker2364]

Great video--super informative. Franciscans rock! :D

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Thank you for the good dialog; it really lets me reflect more deeply.

[@bryanlahaise595]

I got treated rudely, by the Franciscan Brother’s Of Peace. From Saint Paul, Minnesota. They Professed, someone who called My Mother and asked if I was Mental and His Dad was in Jail, for Realestate Fraud and Wire Tapping. A Drunk, who had a Kid out of Wedlock. Plus a Hatchit Murder and refused Me. Is that Fair.

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

I am so sorry that happened to you! I would make only two points: even religión orders are filled with humans who suffer the effects of the Fall & not every person is a good match for any given order. It sounds as if you were NOT a good match for that order. I will add your discernment as well as that order to my prayer journal. Peace and all Good, brother. 🙏

[@aliac4391]

Hello. I only recently discovered about Secular Franciscans. When I was reading about this Order I had this burning excitement within me. I plan to spend this Lenten season praying about it and contemplating it to see if it is what God is calling me to. I have a question about the Morning and Evening prayer. Is this something you personally do? Does it have to be done at exactly 6am and 6pm or can it be done at different times in the morning and evening?

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Great question! We need to participate in some form of the Liturgy of the Hours twice a day. Most people do Morning and Evening Prayer, but you can pick any two of the hours & the times do not need to be exact. You may also choose to pray two hours from the Office of the Passion or the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I pray Evening Prayer with friends over Zoom & then Night Prayer right before I fall asleep. I like the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the weekends. I only sporadically pray the Office of the Passion; I really like it, but haven’t found anyone else who prays that regularly.

[@aliac4391]

@@DeannaWillistonOFS Thank you for that information. Are the hours supposed to be prayed in group setting or can they be prayed alone?

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

@@aliac4391 Some people pray with their spouse and/or children & we pray it together at gatherings or retreats, but usually people just say it on their own. There are apps with audio, videos to pray along with, the four volume set, and Christian Prayer (“the one volume”). Lol I am thinking this should be a whole, new video.

[@aliac4391]

@@DeannaWillistonOFS great info. Yes that would be a great idea to make a video about the hours! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. God bless!

[@Lucy_Kachaka]

How can we connect. I recently joined last year

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

You can send me an email if you’d like. [e-mail] or just comment here so others can join the conversation.

[@melodie9109]

Do secular get the title sister too?

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

In some areas, they may, but most Secular Franciscans in American do not assume the formal title of Brother and Sister. However, we do often refer to each other as brother and sister. In some fraternities, a new name is given at Profession.

[@dcn.paulschwerdt1582]

Is being a Secular Franciscan different from being a Third Order Franciscan?

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

🤣 the million dollar question! Depends on when historically you are asking and sort-of. Secular Franciscans are Third Order Franciscans, but not all Third Order Franciscan are Secular Franciscans and also Secular Franciscans are the original Third Order Franciscans. We have had several rules and some people have either rejected the new rules and made their own groups or wanted to return to community life (think TOR or the many “Franciscan Sisters”) or were an order of another faith tradition and converted en masse (like the Grey Friars of upstate NY). The original Third Order Rule was written for those living in the world and so many religious communities who really work for the poor adopt this rule instead of the OFM or Poor Clare’s. But also, the Secular Franciscans (name changed in the 1990s I think, to help clarify our distinctness) are a true order and directly under the Pope, not a public association of the faithful under a particular bishop. We are considered one of the big brothers in the Franciscan family: OFM Cap, OFM Conv, OFM, TOR, & OFS. (Poor Clares are omitted from this list because they are cloistered and have a different structure.) -someone correct me if I am wrong.

[@reuelsukuleleGig1483]

Hello Sister, how to join ?

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Peace and all good! If you’re interested in learning more about Secular Franciscans, contact your local fraternity. In the USA, check out: www.secularfranciscansusa.org/ Outside the USA, go to: ciofs.info/2023/02/10/help-brother-and-sisters-in-syria-and-turkey/

[@Cadpat07]

What is expected of you being in the SFO?

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

Such a loaded question! The first thing is that you have discerned that you have a calling to follow Jesus in the footsteps of St. Francis. Hmm I should probably make a video on this 💕