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The People
Friars |
Vocations |
Volunteers
Who are these women and men who, not satisfied with being "Christian," insist on being called "Franciscans?" They come celibate and married; they are women and men. They are Seculars "living in the world." They are Poor Ladies living in cloister. They are volunteers, sisters and brothers of such a variety.
 They are Franciscans. With varying success they live out their lives following the Gospel as poor men and women - friars, sisters, Secular Franciscans and volunteers.
Because Francis of Assisi built a bridge of love over the world, his call to follow Christ is heard by many. Francis loved freely and fiercely and he returned all to his father and kissed a leper. He repaired churches, washed feet and gave the world the Christmas creche. He walked the sands of Arabia, offering Jesus Christ to the Sultan and stood in the papal court offering the same. Francis bore in his body "the marks of the Crucified One," yet wept, naked on his death floor, confessing, "We have done little. Let us begin anew."
These are the men and women, lay and religious, who are taking up Francis' call.
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