WHO WE ARE
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"The object, therefore, of the First Order, is to build up a body of men and women who, accepting Christ as their Lord and Master, will seek to follow him in the way of renunciation and sacrifice as an act of witness and for the loving service of his brothers and sisters in the world."
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The Principles, SSF
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EPISCOPAL FRANCISCANS
​“Wait, there are Episcopal Franciscans?”
We are part of a vibrant group of religious orders in the Americas. Founded in 1919, we are Franciscan Brothers, fully part of the Episcopal Church and part of the world-wide Society of St. Francis with five provinces for brothers around the world. We live in single sex community houses under the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Currently, there are eight of us living in the United States, ranging in ages from 40’s to 90’s.
We exercise a variety of ministries: living with and serving the poor, caring for the environment, supporting the church through active involvement in parish life and national church governance. We have a collaborative leadership model, so while we have named leaders, we work to make decisions together. Being brothers in community means we value the experience and contributions of all our members from the newest to the most senior. Prayer, work and study fill our days and we aim for humility, love and joy in all that we do.
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We are Anglican Franciscans, part of Society of St. Francis which has five provinces: the Province of the Americas, the European Province, the Province of the Divine Compassion, the Province of the Solomon Islands, the Papua New Guinea Province.
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There are about 145 members of the Society of St Francis world-wide.
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St. Francis is our Patron and we follow a modern rule inspired by his teaching and example. The Society of St. Francis, Province of the Americas originated as the Order of the Poor Brethren of St. Francis of Assisi, founded in 1919 by Fr. Joseph (Claude) Crookston, an Episcopal priest. The Order later amalgamated with the Society of St. Francis in the UK in 1967 and became the Society of St. Francis, Province of the Americas.
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Our Friary in the Province of the Americas is located in the heart of San Francisco and welcomes inquirers to our way of life from all over the United States.
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We are a Province and a Friary that celebrates the richness of our community regardless of race, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation or national background.
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We engage in a variety of active ministries serving all people regardless of gender, age, marital status or religion. We do this by preaching, spiritual direction, reconciliation, caring for the environment, supporting the Episcopal Church, working with homeless people.