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"We have been called to heal wounds, reunite what has fallen apart, and bring home those who have lost their way."- St. Francis of Assisi



Fr Lance ministering
Teach us today Lord to minister
more effectively.

We are a lay missionary order of the Province Rwanda and the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA). We share a rule of life for our own spiritual growth, and a common mission to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who need to hear and receive it.

Our newest ministry is The Anglican Lighthouse Project. This ministry has far reaching implications for the renewal and transformation of New England, the United States, and anywhere else the Lord leads.

We publish a quarterly newsletter. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please contact ministry@lesserfranciscans.org.



Upcoming Events:

September 8 2007
Lighthouse Project Seminar
10AM - 3PM
Focus for Today:

Sunday

Live More Simply

The daily life of a Third Order Franciscan reflected the voluntary poverty of the early Franciscans. St. Francis, in writing these provisions, understood the need to distinguish between full poverty and simplicity. The Third Order members were called to examine their clothing with an eye to simplicity, and to examine their entertainment with an eye to holiness. (From The First Rule of the Third Order, 1221)

  • Lesser Franciscans agree, with the help of a Spiritual Director, to examine the content of their lives and to make a plan that will gradually lead to greater simplicity and holiness.

Monday

Work More Cheerfully

The followers of St. Francis were in the world but not of the world. Work is necessary and provides a service for others. Lesser Franciscans understand the need to surrender the work God has given them to do, and to receive it back from God as a holy obligation. As Christians, we are to serve God in the world cheerfully and courteously. (From The First Order Rule, 1221)

  • Lesser Franciscans agree to examine their calling in the world with a Spiritual Director, and through mutual exploration, take those measures necessary to insure our work is honest, honorable, and a source of personal satisfaction. We are then able to work with a cheerful countenance as befits those who are in Christ.

Tuesday

Pray More Deeply

St. Francis took prayer very seriously. Third Order Franciscans were expected to maintain the sacred rhythm of the day by keeping the discipline of canonical hours. Allowances were made for those who, because of secular matters or personal infirmity, were unable to keep this rule. (From The First Rule of the Third Order, 1221)

  • Lesser Franciscans agree to establish a pattern of daily personal prayer.

Wednesday

Eat More Sensibly: Abstinence and Fasting

St. Francis knew that Third Order members, caught up in the daily cycle of business and commerce, could easily forget their true Master-Jesus, our Lord. Regular days of abstinence and fasting served as a reminder and set them apart from the secular society. The rule of abstinence and fasting is flexible and takes account of a person's health and circumstances. (From The First Rule of the Third Order, 1221)

  • Lesser Franciscans agree to examine their lives and, and along with a Spiritual Director, establish a sensible pattern of fasting, abstinence and feasting. Because God gives everything we have, including the food we eat, Lesser Franciscans give thanks to God at each meal.

Thursday

Reconcile More Fully

Third Order Franciscans were required to make a self-examination and confession three times a year. This represents a Christian lifestyle that is fully committed to the God of peace, and which seeks full reconciliation with God and others. Consequently, the Third Order Franciscan was better prepared to witness with a clear conscience. One practical measure, taken when one first entered the Order, is best stated in the words of Francis: They are to be reconciled with their neighbors and to restore what belongs to others. They are to make up for past tithes and pay future tithes. (From The First Rule of the Third Order, 1221)

  • Lesser Franciscans agree to take each of these points under advisement with a Spiritual Director and with assistance, examine and modify their relationships.

Friday

Minister More Effectively

St. Francis had, as did our Lord, a particular reverence for the poor. Local monthly gatherings of the Third Order, held for instruction and for the development of community, included an offering that was distributed to the poor. (From The First Rule of the Third Order, 1221)

  • Lesser Franciscans agree to work within their local church and to hold a monthly service of fellowship and worship (whenever possible this is to include a Eucharist) with the especial intent of Christian instruction and offerings for the poor. This offering should be given to the minister of the church, to be held in and distributed from, a discretionary fund.

Saturday

Serve More Willingly

The Holy Spirit, living in us, is constantly calling us to live our lives in community with other Christians. As we draw closer together, spend more time together, and know each other better, we have more occasion to fall into sin. St. Francis knew this was true. When one or more inevitably fell into sin, he directed his brothers and sisters in Christ to give Satan no further opportunity or foothold. All Franciscans were bound to give the sinner spiritual aid and to guard against any anger or upset. No one was to have authority over another; that is not the way of Christians. Instead, Franciscans were to seek more opportunity to serve one another gladly. (From The First Order Rule, 1221)

  • Lesser Franciscans agree to carry a stone as a reminder of our Lord's saying let he who is without sin throw the first stone (Jn 8:7). Because we are not without sin, we strive to keep our stone without throwing it, doing and speaking only charitable deed and words.
  • Lesser Franciscans agree to work with a Spiritual Director to discover where we are most vulnerable to Satan's suggestions and react with intolerance towards others.