Franciscan History

THE FRANCISCAN CREED
Inspired by the vision of Saint Francis
we commit ourselves to the Gospel as our way of life. Our world view is centred in Christ

We see Jesus Christ as beginning the way and goal of all creation. This world-view reveals to us a God who is Father and a life which is Love.

This demands of us a life as brothers and sisters of all people 
and of creation. We are on a pilgrimage trying to reach our Father, trying to live a life of Love.

We have not yet arrived; we are sinners, but we are called 
to be Saints. As sinners, weak human beings, we must undergo a continuing conversion, returning always to the Father as prodigal sons and daughters.

Christ was poor and Christ was crucified; we seek to share in his poorness and in his suffering. We further commit ourselves to the service of the poor. 

In making our way through life, we are guided more by simplicity, humility, and littleness than by power, 
prestige and status.

Like Christ, like Francis, we seek to become
 instruments of peace, peacemakers. Acknowledging the 
guiding presence of the Holy Spirit,

We declare our loyalty to the Church in a spirit of dialogue 
and cooperation with her ministers and shepherds. 
We are conscious of our obligation to share in the
 life and mission of the Church.

We are lay apostles called by Christ to continue his work 
on earth. Our life and our spirituality, however is characteristically secular, in the world and for the world.

Joy sustains our lives, fulfills our living.  We seek the same for others. To achieve all this is difficult; hence 
we declare our need for Christ’s Eucharist, 
for personal, communal and liturgical prayer.