The traditional form of the observance of the Rule of St. Francis is that which was perpetuated faithfully from St. Francis to the recent times by the Order of Friars Minor of the Observance.

It consists in the observance of the Rule of St. Francis, not according to human prudence nor personal inspiration, but according to the declarations of the Supreme Roman Pontiffs, especially those of Popes Nicholas III, Clement V, and St. Innocent XI.

The Rule of St. Francis is distinguished from all others rules by its obligation to fulfill the counsels of Christ regarding personal and communal poverty, the non-use of money, coins and all financial instruments, and the obedience of members to superiors in all things which are not contrary to the Rule, to right doctrine and to right morals.

The Goal of the Rule of St. Francis is the perfect love, imitation and service of Jesus and Mary

To those who would want to perfectly accomplish the will of the Blessed Virgin Mary, She Herself said at Cana, "Do whatever He tells you." The Rule of St. Francis obliges the actual undertaking of the same Apostolic Life which Christ taught to the Apostles after the miracle of Cana.

To those who would love God perfectly, Our Lord Himself said, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all your goods, and give them to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven." St. Francis did this at the beginning of his religious life; and the Rule of St. Francis obliges the same communal and personal poverty.

To those who would believe in God perfectly, Our Lord Himself said, "Thou art Rock and upon this rock I shall build My Church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against Her." The Rule of St. Francis obliges obedience and reverence to the Pope, and an unspotted Catholic faith.

To those who would trust in God perfectly, Lord Himself said, "Take nothing with you on the way, neither gold, nor silver, nor two tunics ...." The Rule of St. Francis obliges communal poverty, the non use of money and the simple clothing of a tunic and sandals, and traveling in poverty.

To those who would keep perfect chastity of mind and body, Our Lord Himself said, "If a man looks at a woman with desire, he commits adultery with her in his heart." The Rule of St. Francis obliges perfect interior and exterior chastity and the abandonment of all suspicious familiarity with women, even nuns.

To those who would dedicate themselves to the greater glory of God, Our Lord Himself said, "Go make disciples of all nations ...". The Rule of St. Francis obliges the community to undertake the apostolic work of seeking the conversion of sinners and going to the missions.

To those who would seek the perfection of humility, Our Lord Himself said, "Without Me you can do nothing." And again: "If you wish to be My disciple, take up your cross and follow Me." The Rule of St. Francis obliges the primacy of prayer and devotion, fasting and penance.

The Classical Form of the religious life of the Friars Minor is thus a perfect conformity to the mind and hearts of Jesus and Mary.

To profess the Rule of St. Francis in this manner is to consecrate oneself perfectly to the Immaculate Virgin, by actually doing what She counseled at Cana. It is to perfectly consecrate and imitate the poverty and humility and self sacrifice of Christ Crucified. And for this reason, Our Lord Himself testified to St. Margaret Mary Alaquoque, that of all the Saints after His own Blessed Mother, St. Francis was the most perfect imitator of His Most Sacred Heart.

The excellency of the Rule of St. Francis is that it obliges nothing but what Jesus and Mary taught; adds nothing to the Gospel and imposes only those things which lead to one's personal salvation and that of one's neighbor.

The wisdom of the Rule of St. Francis is that it humbly accepts at face value the superiority and supremacy of the Mind of Christ and Mary as to the quickest, surest, and most effective path to holiness of life and the salvation of one's neighbor. It contains no admixture of private opinion, whatsoever. As such it is perennially and perfectly Catholic.

St. Francis's dedication to the Classical Roman Liturgy

The Rule of St. Francis obliges all clerics to fulfill their duties secundum ordinem sanctae Ecclesiae Romanae (according to the Ordo of the Holy Roman Church). In St. Francis' day the classical Roman Rite was not celebrated anywhere, except in the Papal Chapel and then only one or two feasts, such as that of the Chair of St. Peter. Out of devotion to the Apostle Peter, recognizing that the Roman Rite could be traced directly back to the Prince of the Church, who was the Rock of Stability and Orthodoxy and a model of penitence, St. Francis asked and received permission to impose its celebration on his Order. Faithful to his will, the Friars Minor propagated the Roman Rite throughout the world and with such success that at the time of Pope St. Pius V, it was gladly received by the whole Western Church as the liturgical norm. Nowadays, it is often forgotten that without the Friars Minor the Tridentine Rite may have passed away centuries ago. As such it is the mission of those who observe the Rule of St. Francis, without mitigations, to preserve and propagate this Rite.

Traditional Franciscan Formation

Traditionally, a candidate undergoes a short postulancy, a year of novitiate, three years of simple vows, before making solemn vows.

In postulancy one discerns his call to community life, studies the catechism, and shares in a life of prayer, work and learning.

In novitiate one studies the Rule of St. Francis, according to the teachings of the Roman Pontiffs, the life and writings of St. Francis, as well as the fundamental obligations of religious life. A foundation for the life of prayer and meditation, of poverty, humility and penitence is begun.

After novitiate all friars study Latin. Clerics, and those brothers who are able, study philosophy and theology according to St. Bonaventure, Bl. John Duns Scotus and St. Thomas Aquinas; the other Franciscan Doctors of the Church (St. Anthony of Padua and St. Lawrence of Brindisi) and writers. In moral theology clerics study the doctrine of St. Alphonsus dei Liguori, who builds on St. Thomas and St. Bonaventure.

After three years of temporary vows, a friar makes solemn perpetual vows and begins a life of prayer and service. It is after solemn vows that candidates to the priesthood are ordained, after having completed the necessary studies.

A Traditional Franciscan Horarium

Midnight: Matins & 1 hour of Meditation
Dawn: Lauds, Mass, Prime & Breakfast
Early Morning: Work & Study
9 AM: Terce
Late Morning: Work & Study
Noon: Sext, Lunch & Recreation
Early Afternoon: Work & Study
3 PM: Nones & 1 hour of Meditation & Benediction
Late Afternoon: Work & Study
Sunset: Vespers & Dinner
Early Evening: Study, Compline & Grand Silence

Requirements for Candidates

The Church requires that potential religious vocations accept the whole Catholic Faith, be over the age of 16, free of debt, in good health and free of the duties of married life (either single or whose wives have become nuns and whose children are adults).

For More Information

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