“Which type of Franciscan are you?”
While strangers on the street may ask me if I’m in a renaissance fair or am impersonating a Jedi, this is the most common question I get asked by fellow Catholics and other religious. They know that I’m a religious, can tell that I’m probably a Franciscan, but which one?
Benedict Groeschel’s group? No. The friars on EWTN? Nope. Capuchin? Not today. The friars at Stuebenville University? Different friars.
As the conversation continues, we usually end up in one of two places: “Why are there so many types of Franciscans?” or even better, “Which one is the real/original one?” My response? “It’s complicated.”
And it is. Our history is fragmented and diverse. It’s needlessly complicated and unlike all other religious orders. There are three branches of Franciscans, and within each branch there are many different types, either breaking off from previous groups or starting as another order and then be assimilated into the Franciscans years later. There are hundreds, and new ones even created today.
Many have asked me to explain the difference between the groups and I have always resisted. While each group is definitely different and I could probably make some generalizations about many of them, there are also exceptions to each generalization and overlaps to difference. Because the groups developed organically over time, its hard to make clear distinctions between them; we’re all Franciscan… just a slightly different thread of the same cord.
That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to share, though. In this second installment of Catholicism in Focus, I look at the historical development of the three branches of the Franciscan Order to try to make as much sense of it as I can. It’s not complete, and it’s by no means perfect, but maybe it will help put some things into perspective.
For those reading this through email, click here to watch the video.
Breaking In The Habit 
Really enjoyed your short brief on the Franciscan Order. I recently started to read of the early years of the Order, and was amazed at all the problems that were encountered back then. Reading about Bernadino Ochino who was General and ending up leaving the Church altogether was a shocker for me. It’s a read that can only be done in small doses!!!
Anyway many thanks for your insights. You are gifted!
Enjoyed the video; good intro. into a subject I thoroughly enjoy-
I enjoy mysteries and thrillers. Pax et Bonum!
Thanks, This is very, very good.
Within the last two years on TV, I heard Fr. Groeschel state that his community, the Franciscan Friars of Renewal, had petitioned to rejoin the Capuchin Franciscans.
I see some of my favorite current Franciscans in your composite photo. Thank you
Thanks for a delightful video – as an associate of the Dubuque Franciscan sisters (a Third Order Regular). The growing presence of associates is adding another type of Franciscan. That’s something to consider.
The cleansing business executes cleansing of spaces of various sizes as well as setups.
The company’s experts provide cleansing with the help of contemporary technologies, have special tools, as well as also have licensed cleaning agents in their toolbox. In addition to the above advantages, white wines provide: beneficial prices; cleaning quickly; excellent quality results; more than 100 favorable reviews. Cleaning offices will certainly assist maintain your office in order for the most productive job. Any type of company is incredibly important environment in the group. Cleaning up solutions that can be gotten inexpensively now can assist to arrange it and also give a comfy space for labor.
If required, we leave cleansing the cooking area 2-3 hrs after positioning the order. You get cleansing asap.
We offer expert maids for exclusive customers. Making use of European equipment as well as certified devices, we accomplish optimal outcomes and also provide cleaning quickly.
We provide discount rates for those that use the solution for the first time, as well as desirable terms of teamwork for routine clients.
Our friendly team supplies you to get acquainted with desirable terms of participation for corporate clients. We responsibly approach our activities, clean utilizing expert cleansing items and also specific devices. Our staff members are educated, have clinical publications as well as are familiar with the nuances of eliminating complex and also hard-to-remove dirt from surface areas.
We offer top notch cleansing for huge ventures and little companies of various directions, with a discount rate of as much as 25%.