WHO WE ARE
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"The object, therefore, of the First Order, is to build up a body of men and women who, accepting Christ as their Lord and Master, will seek to follow him in the way of renunciation and sacrifice as an act of witness and for the loving service of his brothers and sisters in the world."
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The Principles, SSF
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EPISCOPAL FRANCISCANS?
“Wait, there are Episcopal Franciscans?”
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We are part of a vibrant group of religious orders in the Americas. Founded in 1919, we are Franciscan Brothers, fully part of the Episcopal Church and part of the world-wide Society of St. Francis with five provinces for brothers around the world. We live in single sex community houses under the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Currently, there are eight of us living in the United States, ranging in ages from 40’s to 90’s.
We exercise a variety of ministries: living with and serving the poor, caring for the environment, supporting the church through active involvement in parish life and national church governance. We have a collaborative leadership model, so while we have named leaders, we work to make decisions together. Being brothers in community means we value the experience and contributions of all our members from the newest to the most senior. Prayer, work and study fill our days and we aim for humility, love and joy in all that we do.
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FAST FACTS
Father Joseph Crookston founded the Order of St Francis in the USA in 1919. OSF merged with the English SSF in 1968.
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SSF in the Americas is part of the Episcopal Church, USA.
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SSF has Brothers worldwide in England, Australia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, and the United States.
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The Brothers live under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. We hold all property in common, remain unmarried, and share common responsibility for major decisions and the direction of the community.