About Us... Join Us!We are UNITED Franciscans - Promoting PEACE and LOVE through the Teachings of Christ and the Spirituality of Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi.
Welcome Brothers and Sisters! Peace and Goodness to ALL who enter here! WE WELCOME ALL Roman Catholics and Christians Who Seek to Promote WORLD PEACE and LOVE! Through our Beloved, Simple Founder from Assisi, Italy - Saint Francis - We hope to learn and be inspired by him, Saint Clare, and by one another to live a heart filled Christian Life, striving to follow the Rule of the Franciscan Third Order Regular.
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Become an Associate or Member of the Order of Franciscan Hermits
Inspired by our beloved Popes Francis, St. John Paul II, and Benedict XVI’s ecumenical outreach (especially with Pope Benedict’s erection of the Personal Ordinariates established in accordance with the apostolic constitution Anglicanorum coetibus of 4 November 2009), and the Order of Friar Minor’s "Decision 7" of the 2015 General Chapter regarding Hermitage Fraternities, Br. Paul, OFH, a Roman Catholic, founded The Order of Franciscan Hermits (OFH) on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 31, 2015, as an International Franciscan Contemplative Community. The Lord has blessed our Community with over 2300 Associates and Members who live in over 89 countries worldwide.
The Order of Franciscan Hermits Associate's and Member's Mission or Calling is the same as St. Francis’ given by the Crucifix of San Damiano, to “Rebuild the Church” and Promote World Peace. We primarily accomplish this through contemplative prayer, compassionate dialogue, fraternal interaction, nonviolent action, and performing the good works asked of us in the Gospel, striving to Build and Unite the Body of Christ which suffers from many divisions, fostering a more perfect life, and exercising other works of the apostolate (Canon 298).
We choose to focus on what UNITES us as Franciscans and Christians, rather than what Divides us, as St. Paul "begs" of us in Ephesians 4:1-6:
"therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all Humility and Gentleness, with Patience, bearing with one another in Love, making every effort to maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. There is One Body and One Spirit, just as you were called to the One Hope of your calling, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of All, who is above All and through All and in All."
Because there is only "One Body... One Spirit... One Hope... One Faith... One Baptism... One God and Father of All" - Franciscans of any Church affiliation/denomination or canonical status (vowed or not; single or married), are invited in the Spirit of Ecumenism and Fraternity, to be UNITED as One Greater Franciscan Community - You are invited to join the Order of Franciscan Hermits as an Associate. We work to Support and Foster a Sense of Belonging and Unity of Purpose as we strive to live the Rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi. Our Order provides a meeting place for like-minded Souls, Common Ground for those who feel called to the Contemplative Life, Blessed by Franciscan Charism and Spirituality.
As Hermits, we cherish substantial silence, substantial solitude, contemplative prayer and penance. You don't have to live in a cave or on a mountaintop to be a Hermit... you don't have to be a recluse or eat grasshoppers to choose to commit to live a deeper Spiritual life in the "silence of solitude, and assiduous prayer and penance" (Canon 603). You choose to "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
The Order of Franciscan Hermits does not oversee the profession vows, so please coordinate with your Local Ordinary (Bishop) or (priest/minister if appropriate), if you would like to make a public profession or you may take private vows if you so wish.
The Order of Franciscan Hermits does NOT ordain priests. Those persons desiring to seek Holy Orders (to become a priest), will need to contact your local priest or the vocations office of your Church organization to inquire about the process and requirements of becoming a priest. On our Franciscan Websites page, there are links to many Franciscan Orders and Congregations who you can contact regarding their Vocation process.
Each Associate and Member of the Order of Franciscan Hermits is Independent and is responsible for his or her own financial support. We do not have scholarships for Seminarians or for any other ministerial support. Membership is voluntary and no dues or fees are ever collected to be an Associate or Member of the Order. No stipends are given to Members for being part of the Order.
Before you Ask to Join the Order of Franciscan Hermits as an Associate or Member, Please read ALL of our Frequently Asked Questions and agree to the terms of the following Disclaimer:
*DISCLAIMER: The Order of Franciscan Hermits is not affiliated with any established legal or ecclesiastic entity and will NOT be held responsible for actions of any kind of any of its independent Associates or Members. Membership does not convey ministerial authorization to perform Sacraments or to conduct business on behalf of the Order of Franciscan Hermits. Members (not Associates) may use the initials OFH after their names to show their Fraternal Association with the Order, but no other benefits or guarantees are implied other than use of this website and associated social media to help facilitate communication with the Members. The Order of Franciscan Hermits reserves the right to revoke Individual Membership and/or change and amend the terms of membership at any time without notice. Associates and Members are expected to be respectful of others and only post appropriate, non-political information of interest to world-wide Franciscans.
Only Associates who are not in another Franciscan Community (whether from the First, Second or Third Orders) may become a "Member" of the Order of Franciscan Hermits. Associates who wish to become a "Member" of the Order of Franciscan Hermits, after a period of discernment and active participation in the Order of Franciscans Facebook Group (typically 6 months to a year, then ongoing), if they feel that they have found a "Home" in the OFH, they should contact Br. Paul (BrPaul@FranciscanHermits.org) to discuss their desire to become a Member. Discernment is a process between the Associate, the Guardian (Br. Paul) and the Holy Spirit. He or She should be inspired by the Life and Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, live a life of substantial silence, substantial solitude, contemplative prayer and penance and be over the age of 18. Those Associates who wish to become an OFH Member who are in another Franciscan Community shall remain Associates unless they leave their former Community to join the OFH as a Member. We strongly encourage these Associates to remain in their existing Communities to help build Unity within that Community. Associates and Members are equally Cherished within our Order of Franciscan Hermits Family. Membership signifies that you have found a "Home" in the OFH.
The Order of Franciscan Hermits Associate's and Member's Mission or Calling is the same as St. Francis’ given by the Crucifix of San Damiano, to “Rebuild the Church” and Promote World Peace. We primarily accomplish this through contemplative prayer, compassionate dialogue, fraternal interaction, nonviolent action, and performing the good works asked of us in the Gospel, striving to Build and Unite the Body of Christ which suffers from many divisions, fostering a more perfect life, and exercising other works of the apostolate (Canon 298).
We choose to focus on what UNITES us as Franciscans and Christians, rather than what Divides us, as St. Paul "begs" of us in Ephesians 4:1-6:
"therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all Humility and Gentleness, with Patience, bearing with one another in Love, making every effort to maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. There is One Body and One Spirit, just as you were called to the One Hope of your calling, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of All, who is above All and through All and in All."
Because there is only "One Body... One Spirit... One Hope... One Faith... One Baptism... One God and Father of All" - Franciscans of any Church affiliation/denomination or canonical status (vowed or not; single or married), are invited in the Spirit of Ecumenism and Fraternity, to be UNITED as One Greater Franciscan Community - You are invited to join the Order of Franciscan Hermits as an Associate. We work to Support and Foster a Sense of Belonging and Unity of Purpose as we strive to live the Rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi. Our Order provides a meeting place for like-minded Souls, Common Ground for those who feel called to the Contemplative Life, Blessed by Franciscan Charism and Spirituality.
As Hermits, we cherish substantial silence, substantial solitude, contemplative prayer and penance. You don't have to live in a cave or on a mountaintop to be a Hermit... you don't have to be a recluse or eat grasshoppers to choose to commit to live a deeper Spiritual life in the "silence of solitude, and assiduous prayer and penance" (Canon 603). You choose to "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
The Order of Franciscan Hermits does not oversee the profession vows, so please coordinate with your Local Ordinary (Bishop) or (priest/minister if appropriate), if you would like to make a public profession or you may take private vows if you so wish.
The Order of Franciscan Hermits does NOT ordain priests. Those persons desiring to seek Holy Orders (to become a priest), will need to contact your local priest or the vocations office of your Church organization to inquire about the process and requirements of becoming a priest. On our Franciscan Websites page, there are links to many Franciscan Orders and Congregations who you can contact regarding their Vocation process.
Each Associate and Member of the Order of Franciscan Hermits is Independent and is responsible for his or her own financial support. We do not have scholarships for Seminarians or for any other ministerial support. Membership is voluntary and no dues or fees are ever collected to be an Associate or Member of the Order. No stipends are given to Members for being part of the Order.
Before you Ask to Join the Order of Franciscan Hermits as an Associate or Member, Please read ALL of our Frequently Asked Questions and agree to the terms of the following Disclaimer:
*DISCLAIMER: The Order of Franciscan Hermits is not affiliated with any established legal or ecclesiastic entity and will NOT be held responsible for actions of any kind of any of its independent Associates or Members. Membership does not convey ministerial authorization to perform Sacraments or to conduct business on behalf of the Order of Franciscan Hermits. Members (not Associates) may use the initials OFH after their names to show their Fraternal Association with the Order, but no other benefits or guarantees are implied other than use of this website and associated social media to help facilitate communication with the Members. The Order of Franciscan Hermits reserves the right to revoke Individual Membership and/or change and amend the terms of membership at any time without notice. Associates and Members are expected to be respectful of others and only post appropriate, non-political information of interest to world-wide Franciscans.
Only Associates who are not in another Franciscan Community (whether from the First, Second or Third Orders) may become a "Member" of the Order of Franciscan Hermits. Associates who wish to become a "Member" of the Order of Franciscan Hermits, after a period of discernment and active participation in the Order of Franciscans Facebook Group (typically 6 months to a year, then ongoing), if they feel that they have found a "Home" in the OFH, they should contact Br. Paul (BrPaul@FranciscanHermits.org) to discuss their desire to become a Member. Discernment is a process between the Associate, the Guardian (Br. Paul) and the Holy Spirit. He or She should be inspired by the Life and Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, live a life of substantial silence, substantial solitude, contemplative prayer and penance and be over the age of 18. Those Associates who wish to become an OFH Member who are in another Franciscan Community shall remain Associates unless they leave their former Community to join the OFH as a Member. We strongly encourage these Associates to remain in their existing Communities to help build Unity within that Community. Associates and Members are equally Cherished within our Order of Franciscan Hermits Family. Membership signifies that you have found a "Home" in the OFH.
