Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis Austria OFS

The Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis (German: Franziskanischer Säkularorden) is part of the so-called Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi and thus of the Franciscan religious family. The Catholic Institute of Consecrated Life is made up of women and men who feel connected to the Franciscan idea and tradition and want to live in this spirit "in the world".

The OFS is one of the oldest lay spiritual movements in the Catholic Church still in existence today. Its beginnings date back to the 13th century. However, it was not founded by Francis himself, even though this has long been portrayed as the case; Francis is considered the initiator of the "penitential brotherhood" for lay people. When believers who did not want to live in a celibate monastic community, but still wanted to live their lives according to the Gospel, asked Francis for inspiration for their lives, he gave them an impulse for an intensive Christian life in the family and working world with his "Letter to the Faithful" in 1221. The community was not officially recognized by Pope Nicholas IV until 1289, long after Francis' death.

The current version of the Rule was confirmed by Pope Paul VI in 1978 and the order was officially renamed "Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis" (OFS). During this time, the name "Franciscan Community" became common for the Third Order in German-speaking countries and was used publicly until 2012. According to the new rule, the members of the community were to be guided less by specific behavioral or prayer obligations (as stipulated in the Rule of Leo XIII. of 1883), but more on the suggestions that Francis himself had given his followers to "follow in trust in the Father, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the footsteps of Jesus Christ through a life according to the Gospel: In response to God's love, as brothers and sisters of all creatures, undemanding and willing to serve, grateful and joyful, committed to peace in every way, missionary through simple living with others, especially attached to the poor and weak, co-responsible for building up the Church through constant renewal, contemplative in everyday life, seeing in creatures and in events God's history with humanity."

Members of the Third Order generally remain in their profession and living environment, including their marriage and family if necessary. Similar to the First and Second Order, admission is preceded by a period of getting to know each other. This is usually followed by a period of instruction lasting at least one year, after which the members make a temporary or lifelong commitment to the community. Members do not take a vow to the evangelical counsels (poverty, celibacy and obedience). In the canonically established local congregations, the members of the OFS meet at least once a month for prayer and scripture reading.

The homepage for Austria is www.ofs-oesterreich.at.