Secular Franciscan Order

Tuesday, February 11

A celebration 800 years in the making

It is 800 years since St Francis of Assisi made the first Christmas crib in the Italian village of Greccio.

Carrying on Franciscan fraternity

When the Capuchin friars leave the Adelaide Archdiocese early next year, the Franciscan spirit will remain strong through the Newton fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS).

Giovanna Mercuri with her late husband Gervasio and family members.

Striving for perfection in the footsteps of St Francis

King Louis IX, Dante Alighieri, Thomas More and Louis Pasteur are just a few of the many famous people who have been secular Franciscans. So where did this order of lay people originate and what is its presence in Adelaide today? Warren Featherstone OFS outlines the history of the order in its 800th anniversary year.