Who We Are

…living the Gospel Life embraced by St. Francis of Assisi

The Conventual Franciscan Friars are followers of Francis of Assisi.  In 1226 shortly before his death, he wrote in his Testament addressing the friars: After the Lord gave me some brothers, no one showed me what I had to do, but the Most High Himself revealed to me that I should live according to the pattern of the Holy Gospel. His words sum up the purpose of Franciscan living.  Ours is a shared life, patterned after the Gospel.

The Conventual branch of the Franciscan family chose to minister in the heart of large towns rather than in remote hermitages; they banded together in concentrated communities.  Hence the suffix, Conventual, as derived from the Latin, convenire, “to come together.” 

Today, we Conventual Friars continue to live in “convents” or friaries, as they are more commonly called.  Our community is spread throughout the world, structured into various Provinces, with over 4000 total members. 

We wear a black or gray habit, as distinct from the brown garment typically worn by other Franciscan communities, with a simple three knotted cord representing our Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.  Our Minister General resides in Rome at the Santi Apostoli.  The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi remains the spiritual center of our Order.  Here countless pilgrims journey to be touched by the message of St. Francis and the ministry of the friars.  In addition the Conventuals are the Vatican confessors at St. Peter’s Basilica.  We are responsible for the care of the Basilicas of St. Francis in Assisi and St. Anthony in Padua, Italy.  In Christ’s name we continue the ministry of healing and preaching so fundamental to the understanding of St. Francis.

Our Charism

The Conventual charism is a specific focusing of the Gospel Life embraced by St. Francis of Assisi through:

• Dedication to a life of prayer, both private and communal;
• Fidelity to the Church in collaboration with the pope and the magisterium;
• Commitment to a common life where the friary is the center of fraternal sanctification;
• The Chapter as the form of governance;
• Flexibility in apostolic endeavors, adapting to the changing needs of the times;
• Encouragement of the highest standards of preaching and liturgical prayer;
• Pioneering academic development in both the sacred and secular sciences.

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