The Three Aims of the Orthodox Anglican Society of St. Francis (ASF) are
To make our Lord known and loved everywhere by word and example. Friars and Sisters witness to Christ in their daily lives. By prayer and sacrifice they help forward God’s work wherever they are called.
To spread the spirit of fellowship by working happily with people regardless of race, creed, color, education, or disability. Friars and Sisters seek to break down the divisions in the world. They try to live in the spirit of the Prayer of St. Francis: “Lord make me an instrument of Your peace.”
To live simply acknowledging that everything belong to God, Friars and Sisters seek to use God’s gifts wisely, acting as good stewards of this fragile earth, never destroying or wasting what God has made. They provide the things necessary for themselves and their families without demanding luxuries. They seek never to forget the needs of others.
The Rule and Life of the Orthodox Anglican Society of St. Francis is this: To live according to the Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Embracing the spirit of continual conversion as St. Francis did, the Friars and Sisters, by living the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience seek to live lives that place them in the position of continual turning to the Lord, attempting to rid themselves of the distractions that hinder union with Our Lord. They seek always to witness to the joy of following Our Lord Jesus Christ, so that by their words and actions they may lead others to Christ.
CHAPTER ONE: ECCLESIASTICAL OVERSIGHT
The Orthodox Anglican Society of St. Francis is a Religious Order of the Orthodox Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Guardian of the Society is The Most Rev Dr. Scott E. McLaughlin, Primate of the Communion. The Friars and Sisters commit their obedience to him and to his successors.
CHAPTER TWO: STAGES OF COMMITMENT
Each member will progress through the following stages of commitment:
1. Postulancy. This is the period of time after a Friar or Sister makes application to join the Society and is accepted as a Postulant. At this time the Friar or Sister seeks to become familiar with the life of St. Francis and his spirituality. The length of the postulancy shall not be less than three months.
2. Novitiate. This is a period of time devoted to preparation for the vowed life of a religious. The Novice is devoted to the study of the Rule of the Society and to the reading and study of the Gospel. It is meant to be a time of intense prayer and soul searching as the Novices prepare themselves for commitment to the Society and this way of life. Traditionally, the length of the novitiate is one year and one day.
3. Temporary Profession. During this time the Friar or Sister continues to study the Rule of the Society and begins to incorporate the Rule of the Society and the spirituality of St. Francis into their daily lives by engaging in ministry and prayer. They make monthly reports on their progress and activities and seek to prepare themselves for their final commitments. Upon prayer and reflection and with consultation with those assigned to assist them in their spiritual growth, they may make their final, or Solemn Profession. The period of Temporary Profession will not be less than one year.
CHAPTER THREE: DAILY LIFE
The Friars and Sisters of the Society shall dress simply when in secular clothing. Those who are accepted into the Society may wear a Tau cross either outside or under their clothing as an ever present reminder of the commitments they have made. They may also wear the habit of the Society when in church, when functioning in any ministerial role, and at meetings of the Society. The novice wears an unknotted cord.
The Friars and Sisters should refrain from attending unseemly parties, shows or dances. In the spirit of metanoia they should avoid all unholy conversation, being always mindful of the purity of life to which all Christians are called.
In keeping with traditional Franciscan values, each Friar or Sister is encouraged to be involved in service to the poor and needy, remembering our Lord’s preferential option for the poor and oppressed. They are to refrain from involvement in public political and partisan activities.
CHAPTER FOUR: FASTING AND OTHER PENITENTIAL DISCIPLINES
Being ever mindful of the Lord’s call to continual conversion, the Friars and Sisters are expected to take on practices which will enable them to control their passions and help rid them of distractions in their spiritual lives. These practices may take the form of fasting, special periods of intercessory prayer, self-denial, or the giving up of various pastimes and forms of entertainment. During the penitential seasons of the year, they should take on whatever extra forms of penitential disciplines to which they feel called.
CHAPTER FIVE: PRAYER
The Friars and Sisters are to pray the Daily Office of the Church, consisting of, at least, Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer according to the usage in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and other authorized versions. Those from other jurisdictions, while encouraged to use the Book of Common Prayer, are also welcome to use sources from their respective traditions. Other prayer services developed for the Society may be substituted occasionally. When possible, the Friars and Sisters should also pray the minor daily offices. They should also be devoted to reading and meditating on the Sacred Scriptures and to daily periods of personal prayer and devotion.
CHAPTER SIX: THE SACRAMENTS AND OUR LIFE OF WITNESS
In the spirit of a life of continual penance, the Friars and Sisters are to make a confession of their sins at each Office and at the Service of Holy Communion. Those who have committed grave sin should make their confession to a priest, as directed by the Book of Common Prayer.
Desiring a life of union with Our Lord, the Friars and Sisters are to receive communion at least weekly on Sunday, and more often if available. Those ordained as Priests or Bishops should make an effort to celebrate the Holy Communion daily.
In recognition of our call to make all people aware of the presence of God in their lives, the Friars and Sisters are to live in harmony with all people; to be reconciled with their neighbors; and to always act in a manner in keeping with the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. They should strive always to be witnesses of the life of peace and holiness to which all followers of Christ are called.
The Friars and Sisters are to seek ways to support their local church community. They are to do so by finding ways to commit their time, their talent, and their treasure to the building-up of the church, always remembering the Lord’s words to St. Francis: “Rebuild my Church…”
In keeping with the wishes of St. Francis, the Friars and Sisters are not to take up lethal weapons. Those in the Military and those required to do so by occupation are dispensed from this obligation. Those who hunt for food may continue to do so. Hunting for sport is not permitted.
CHAPTER SEVEN: CORRECTION, DISPENSATION AND MINISTERS
The person elected at the General Chapter to be the leader of the Society shall be known as the Minister General. The election is to be held every third year at a time and place designated by the current Minister General. All members of the Society are permitted to vote.
Each Friar and Sister owes obedience to Almighty God, to the Rule of the Society and to the Primate of the Orthodox Anglican Communion. They also vow obedience to the Minister General and to their local or provincial ministers.
If anyone learns that a Friar or Sister is involved in scandal, it shall be reported to the Minister General. If the offending member is the Minister General then it is to be reported to the Episcopal Protector. All attempts and counseling the member should be made, allowing that member the possibility of repentance and amendment of life. If the offending member remains unrepentant, then the Minister General or Episcopal Protector may expel the member. Without exception, any behavior of a criminal nature is cause for immediate dismissal from the Society.
CHAPTER EIGHT: POVERTY
The Friars and Sisters commit to living with a spirit of detachment, not allowing possessions or their desire for possessions to control them. They should not seek to attain to positions of authority, and should continually set their minds on the Lord, allowing themselves to be witnesses to the Kingdom of God.
CHAPTER NINE: CHASTITY
The Friars and Sisters are called upon to always be faithful and true to their status in life, whatever it may be. Those who are married should strive to be the best spouses they can be, always supporting their partner with prayer and good works. Those who are unmarried should give witness to a proper and holy Christian lifestyle, never being a cause for scandal. Those who work should strive to be good employees and should also strive to be witnesses to the Gospel life at all times.
CHAPTER TEN: OBEDIENCE
Recognizing that their obedience is primarily to God Almighty, the Friars and Sisters must always place themselves before Him in prayer, so as to listen to Him and discern His will for them. They should remain open to His presence in all their activities, allowing themselves to be transformed into His image and likeness and striving always to be witnesses to His love. In doing so, they will further the Kingdom of God and make His presence known to all people.
“Whoever will observe these things shall be filled with the blessings of the Most High Father in Heaven, and on earth with the blessings of His beloved Son, with the Holy Spirit, and with all the virtues and with all the saints.
“And I, Friar Francis, your little one and servant, in so far as I am able, confirm to you within and without this most Holy Blessing.”
HERE ENDS THE RULE OF THE ORTHODOX ANGLICAN SOCIETY OF ST. FRANCIS
