The spiritual and pastoral care of the OFS, in virtue of its belonging to the same spiritual family, is entrusted by the Church to the Franciscan First Order and the TOR, to whom the Secular Fraternity has been united for centuries.
Religious and Secular Franciscans in fact, in various ways and forms but in lifegiving union with each other, aim to make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the Church and of society. Therefore, as a concrete sign of communion and co-responsibility, religious superiors must assure spiritual assistance to all the fraternities of the OFS (Statutes 1).
From the beginning, the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) has had its own proper place in the Franciscan Family. It is formed by the organic union of all the Catholic fraternities whose members, moved by the Holy Spirit, commit themselves through profession to live the Gospel in the manner of St. Francis, in their secular state, following the Rule approved by the Church. (CC.GG. 1, 3)
(CC.GG. 2, 2)
The OFS is open to the faithful of every state of life. The following may belong to it: the laity (men and women); the secular clergy (deacons, priests, bishops). (CC.GG. 2, 2)
THE FRANCISCAN YOUTH
The Youfra is an experience of fraternity, a community of young believers, sons and daughters of the same Father, who share their faith, based on (fraternal) love. Their fraternity is inserted in the ecclesial community in which it lives and acts.
The Youfra walks in the light of the message of St. Francis of Assisi; they discover gradually and assume this project of life and its values. It belongs to the Franciscan family as an integral part of the OFS and considers the Rule of the OFS its inspirational document.
