Like the Gospel itself, which St. Francis committed himself to live with all his heart, the spirit of Francis radiates in every direction and spills over into every walk of life. It is no wonder that Francis' spirit embraces not only men and women in the first and second orders, but also lay men and women who draw motivation and power from the Rule of Francis in community.

Over the years, various individuals came to our retreat centers to volunteer their talents and services, in return for living in and benefiting from community life - a mutual convenience for them and for the friars. This loose form of interdependence has evolved into a formalized procedure: the Franciscan Covenant Program, first systematized by Art Ambrose and later by Franciscan Sister Julianne Graf. The Franciscan Covenant Program is now co-directed by Tom & Rena Grant.

Today, candidates are carefully screened, given orientation days and retreats, exposed to community life and trained in Franciscan ideals. There are presently ??? Covenanted persons in ??? houses, both married couples and single persons with ages ranging from twenty to sixty. Their ministries include: receptionist, book/gift shop management, plant management, housekeeping, accounting, maintenance, nursing cooking, gardening and bookkeeping.