Vocations
Through baptism we share a common vocation: “To Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) Entering into a time of discernment is about discovering how best to love God and one another. This is something we are all called to, not just those discerning a vocation to religious life.
A religious vocation is a special call from God and is different for each person. As unique as we are in the sight of God, that’s how unique your call to our Franciscan way of life might be.
Franciscan friars are men who choose to live a simple lifestyle in community. Ours is a life of prayer and service to the Church and the world,following the life and example of St. Francis of Assisi. As brothers, we strive to follow the Gospel living the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
We try to walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ by living and proclaiming the Gospel, using our God-given talents to serve the poor and marginalized.
If you’ve ever considered a life of fraternity and service as a brother or priest, please contact [email protected] or 1-800-677-7788 ext. 345. Our vocation personnel will help you discern God’s call in your life and connect you with a friar nearest to you.
Please note the beautiful vocation icon showcasing the image of the San Damiano Cross – the crucifix that “spoke” to St. Francis during the early part of his discernment, inviting him to go and rebuild God’s church.
The icon is divided into six separate, yet unified pieces, as a metaphor for the connection among six OFM Franciscan provinces in the United States: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province, Holy Name of Jesus Province, Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, Sacred Heart Province, St. Barbara Province, and St. John the Baptist Province.
Additionally, you’ll notice a simple, yet stylized corpus, providing a modernized interpretation of the San Damiano crucifix for 2020 and beyond. The icon highlights Francis’s constant draw to the crucified Christ.
Is God calling you, or someone you know, to be a Franciscan?
Get in touch with us by filling out an initial contact form here, emailing us at [email protected], or calling us at 1-800-677-7788 ext. 345.
US-6 OFM Franciscan Vocation Office
129 West 31st St. 2nd Fl
New York, NY 10001-3403
General Guidelines for Admission to the Friars
A candidate for our way of life is:
- a man between 21 and 45 years of age
- a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.
- in good physical and mental health
- open to learning about and living a Franciscan religious life in the 21st century
- committed to living the vows of celibate chastity, poverty and obedience
- prayerful with a desire to mature in the spiritual life
- seeking to live and serve in fraternal communities
- a practicing Roman Catholic for at least two years after the completion of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion)
- free of significant financial and family obligations
- a high school graduate, or, if you wish to minister as a priest, completion of at least two years of college
Vocation Library
These documents explain more about the Franciscans and the vocation process.
Check out Breaking in the Habit, by Casey Cole, OFM: A Youtube channel offering personal reflections and explanations from a Catholic and Franciscan perspective for Christians who want to become better disciples of Jesus Christ and discern their vocation.
