Fraternal Life

“The Humility of God, the Poverty of God in the Child in Bethlehem, who suffered for lack of the necessities of a newborn babe. See how he lays in the manger.”

All members of the Secular Franciscan Order are called to live in humility with each other, following the Gospel like St Francis, emphasizing mutual love, service, and Gospel simplicity.

They are each called to do so within their fraternities, which are small communities focused on prayer, formation, and supporting each other in daily secular life, fostering unity through shared activities like meetings, outreach, and encouraging each other’s journey of faith with active listening, forgiveness, and co-responsibility. Being in a fraternity is both an important and essentially hallmark for the us secular franciscans. It is our training school, where we are formed and transformed!

Core Principles for Fraternal Life:

Gospel as the Center: Christ is the vital center; members focus on reading the Gospel and living it out in their daily lives (“from gospel to life, and life to gospel”).

Unity and Love: The primary values are mutual love, respect, and courtesy, seeing each other as images of God, fostering unity over rigid structures.

Simplicity & Poverty: Evangelical poverty (detachment from worldly things) is foundational, supporting unity and a simple, Gospel-centered life.

Service & Mission: Members are called to serve the Church and world, carrying each other’s burdens and performing corporal and spiritual works of mercy together.

How Members Live Together (Practical Aspects):

Regular Gatherings: At least monthly meetings for prayer, formation (learning the Franciscan charism), conversation, and fun.

Mutual Support: Members help each other through active collaboration, listening, forgiveness, and bearing one another’s burdens.

Witnessing Community: Members strive to be a visible sign of an integrated Christian life in the world, demonstrating Christ’s love.

Co-Responsibility: Everyone shares responsibility for the good of the fraternity and the Order, participating actively in its life.

Key Actions for Members:

Participate Actively: Attend meetings, collaborate on projects, and pray together.

Practice Forgiveness: Offer mercy and forgiveness to brothers and sisters, especially when it’s difficult.

Show Co-Responsibility: Be invested in all aspects of fraternity life, not just their own roles.

Seek Formation: Engage in ongoing learning about the Franciscan way of life.

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Fraternities

In Singapore, the Secular Franciscan Order has several canonically established local fraternities under the emerging National Fraternity of St Anthony of Padua. These communities meet regularly for prayer, formation, and fellowship, and are supported by the Franciscan Friars.

As of 2026, the Secular Franciscan Order in Singapore has five canonically established fraternities, and they were setup in the following order: 

St. Joseph (Husband of Mary) Fraternity (1952, see documents below)
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity (1988)
St. Margaret of Cortona Fraternity (1988)
St. Clare of Assisi Fraternity (1990)
St. Bonaventure Fraternity (1991)

These fraternities sometimes gather at the Church of St Mary of the Angels in Singapore, which is a key center for the Franciscan Family in the region. 

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity in particular, is founded and meets regularly at the Church of St Mary of the Angels. The rest of the other fraternities meet at the other locations in Singapore, accordingly:

• St. Joseph Fraternity – CANA The Catholic Centre, Waterloo Street
• St. Margaret Fraternity – Franciscan Missionary of Mary (FMM) House of Prayer and Formation, Holland Road
• St. Clare Fraternity – CANA The Catholic Centre, Waterloo Street
• St. Bonaventure Fraternity – In abeyance

How to Learn More or Join the Fraternities

If you are a practicing Catholic interested in exploring the Secular Franciscan way of life, you can reach out for more information. 

You can reach out to the National Minister of the OFS in Singapore, Janet Lim, via email: <ofs.sg.contact@gmail.com>, follow us on Facebook here or leave us your name and contact, and we will connect to arrange a meet up.

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The Story of The Nativity

God created the world, and God saw it beautiful. Pride tempted man; Disobedience followed. Death is part of the world now. The world is dark, but not totally dark. Dry, but not totally dry.

In the midst of darkness and thirst of our soul, God becomes flesh.

He was poor, lowly, and had nothing. But in his nothingness, Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love became visible. The sea wil be blue again, she wil be blue again, alive again.

In our darkness and drought, Let us strip ourselves. Let go. May we find Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love in our nothingness.

Reflection

• What does these words from “Prayer of St Francis” mean to you?

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To beloved as to love with al my soul

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to al men that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life