Franciscan

Franciscans are orders of men and women seeking to follow Jesus Christ in the way of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi.

Riven with infighting and inequality, Thirteenth Century Italy was the crucible from which emerged two of the greatest Saints of the Church; St Francis (Francesco Bernardone) and St Clare (Chiara Offreducio) of Assisi. Born into comparative wealth each found profound inspiration in the ‘poor naked Christ’ and, eschewing the greed and emptiness of the world, passionately desired to share their ‘pearl of great price’ (Jesus) with all people in word and in action prioritising especially those considered ‘untouchable’ or ‘unimportant.’

Although neither appears to have intended to found a Religious movement nonetheless many women and men over the centuries have been inspired by their example to live out their own Christian discipleship as Franciscan Brothers and Sisters seeking, in their own context, to share Jesus with all people irrespective of social status, creed or race.