what is a Secular Franciscan?
The Secular Franciscan Order is a community of Roman Catholic men and women in the world who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. The preaching of St. Francis, as well as his own living example and that of his first disciples, exercised such a powerful attraction on the people that many married men and women wanted to join them.
Francis formed the Secular Franciscan Third Order because, as he preached penance in one place after another, devout lay persons who were bound by family responsibilities begged to be taught a more perfect way of life. He showed them how they must lead the Gospel life at home and at their work and spread the Gospel teaching by work and example among their neighbors, in imitation of the poor and suffering Christ.