Secular Franciscan Order, Lady Poverty Region at 1111 Freyburg Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203-1211 US - Links"

Institute for Contemporary Franciscan Life The Institute for Contemporary Franciscan Life (ICFL), established at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, in 1991, is a non-credit program of study. Designed for members of the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) in response to their educational, spiritual, and ongoing formation needs, the Institute originated to help Secular Franciscans learn more about their unique identity in the contemporary world. Now open to all interested persons, the self-paced program provides a framework for studying the heritage of Saint Francis of Assisi and the Secular Franciscan Order Rule of 1978. A viable alternative to traditional classroom learning, the Institute for Contemporary Franciscan Life focuses on adult independent learning in a distance education format. International Fraternity The international Fraternity is constituted by the organic union of alll the Catholic Secular Franciscan Fraternities in the world. It is identical with the SFO (Constitutions 69,1); guided and animated by the Minister or President with the International Council (CIOFS), that has its seat in Rome (Italy)" (Constitutions 69,2). The International Council meets in the SFO General Chapter with legislative, deliberative and elective powers" (Constitutions 70,3). National Fraternity Welcome to the web site of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) in the United States of America. The Secular Franciscan Order, formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis, is an official Order within the Catholic Church, and was established by St. Francis of Assisi early in the thirteenth century. Members do not live in community, but live their everyday lives in the world. However, members gather together in fraternity on a regular basis. By profession, they promise to follow a Rule of Life approved and confirmed by Pope Paul VI in June of 1978. Saint of the Day A popular feature offered by AmericanCatholic.org and Saint Anthony Messenger Press - Franciscan Communications. TheCatholicDirectory.com Over 26,000 Catholic listings in the U.S., over 96,000 listings in countries around the world. Lookup churches, find Mass Times, view weekly bulletins, web sites, email addresses, maps, directions, staff, and other important information.