The Secular Franciscan Order (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis) is the Third Order of St Francis for lay Catholics. Wherever you live and work, you can live the Franciscan life - in community with other brothers and sisters, under a Rule approved by the Church.
Pax et Bonum - Peace and Good - the greeting St Francis gave to all. It is our daily standard: to bring peace, reconciliation and goodness wherever we are sent.
We live the Rule and Life of the Secular Franciscan Order, written in the spirit of the Gospel and the example of St Francis - prayer, penance, fraternity, simplicity and care for the poor.
We gather in local fraternities across the Diocese of Uyo for prayer, formation, sharing and service - supporting our pastors, serving our parishes and caring for creation.
In communion with the Bishop of Uyo and the priests of our parishes.
Pope Leo XIVSupreme Pontiff
Bishop John Ebebe AyahBishop, Diocese of Uyo
Rev. Fr. John Cosmas EffiongPriest in Residence“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith.”- Prayer of St Francis of Assisi
The Secular Franciscan Order lives by the Rule approved by Pope Paul VI in 1978. These are the pillars of our life together.
Daily prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Eucharist and the sacraments - the source of all our doing.
Following St Francis, patron of ecology, we are stewards of nature and instruments of peace in our communities.
Detachment from excess, joy in simple things, and loving service to the poor and least - as Francis served the leper.
Regular fraternity meetings for formation, accountability, celebration and mutual support on the journey.
Read the approved Rule. Add the official PDF file to this folder as ofs-rule.pdf to enable the download.
If the file is missing, the link will show a download prompt error. Upload ofs-rule.pdf to the site folder.
A structured path - from Aspirancy, through Candidacy and Temporary Profession, to Definitive Profession.
| Stage | What it means |
|---|---|
| Aspirancy | Come, see and pray with the fraternity. Learn the life of St Francis. |
| Candidacy | Deeper formation in the Rule, Franciscan history and spiritual writers. |
| Temporary Profession | Commit for a season while you discern and grow. |
| Definitive Profession | Full profession of the Rule - a lifelong commitment to the Franciscan life. |
The Tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and was the mark of the chosen in the Book of Ezekiel. St Francis adopted the Tau as the sign of salvation and blessing. Secular Franciscans wear the Tau cord as a reminder of conversion, simplicity and the Cross of Christ. It points to baptism, penance and new life in Christ.
Meaning in our fraternity: commitment, humility, peace and good. The Tau is blessed and given at profession as a sign that the wearer belongs to Christ and to the Franciscan family.
Before the little church of San Damiano outside Assisi, the crucifix spoke to St Francis: Repair my church. That same image, showing Christ enthroned with angels and saints, became the heart of Franciscan prayer. It shows the risen Lord who calls us to rebuild lives, parishes and communities.
Meaning in our fraternity: it is a cross of resurrection and mission. It reminds us that where the Cross reigns, renewal begins, and that our work of peace building starts with Christ at the centre.
Placeholders for Uyo fraternity photos. Photos will be uploaded soon.
Ten clergy and ten lay. Together they show the two callings that live in one Franciscan family.
Initials used as placeholders until official portraits are added.
Are you in Uyo? Do you feel drawn to the life of St Francis - peace, simplicity, prayer and service? You are welcome to visit a fraternity meeting.
Local fraternities meet monthly in parishes across the Diocese of Uyo. Contact us for the nearest fraternity to you.
Our principal feast. Join us for Mass, Tau blessing, fraternity celebration and works of charity.
Speak to your parish priest or a professed brother/sister, or send us a message - we will walk with you from Aspirancy.
Phone / WhatsApp: +234 806 875 1432
Email: ofs.uyo@dioceseofuyo.org
Catholic Diocese of Uyo ↗
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