Ministries
Secular Franciscan Order (OFS)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit sed. Do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna.
The Secular Franciscan Order (Latin: Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis, abbreviated as OFS) is an official order within the Catholic Church consisting of lay men, lay women, and diocesan clergy who commit to living the Holy Gospel in their ordinary daily lives according to the spirit and example of St. Francis of Assisi.
The fundamental meaning of the Order is summarized by the Franciscan motto: “From Gospel to life and life to the Gospel.” Rather than withdrawing into a cloistered monastery, members live “in the secular world”—maintaining their careers, marrying, raising families, and managing everyday civic responsibilities—while intentionally using Christ as the center of their lives.
Key Characteristics of the OFS
What marks the Order
A Canonically Recognized Order
It is not merely a club, society, or volunteer group. It is a fully recognized, self-governing Order within the Church with its own papal-approved Rule of Life.
The "Third Order"
St. Francis founded three orders. The First Order comprises Franciscan Friars, the Second Order is the Poor Clares (cloistered nuns), and the Third Order (OFS) is for those living in the world.
Profession vs. Vows
Members do not take traditional religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Instead, they make a lifelong public Profession to live out the Gospel message using simplicity, humility, and peacemaking.
Fraternity-Based
Spiritual life is not practiced in isolation. Members belong to a local community called a fraternity. They gather at least monthly for prayer, fellowship, and ongoing spiritual formation.
Historical Roots
Originally established by St. Francis over 800 years ago, members were initially known as the “Brothers and Sisters of Penance.”
What Secular Franciscans Do
Secular Franciscans strive to combat consumerism through simple living, promote social justice, care for creation, and serve marginalized communities. They typically find employment across all professional sectors, serving as “the saints next door” by quietly bringing Franciscan values into modern workplaces and neighborhoods.
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) in Malta is an active, vibrant lay community rooted deeply in Maltese history. Locally known in Maltese as L-Ordni Franġiskan Sekular. Because the Franciscan presence in Malta dates back to the 15th century, the OFS is highly integrated into local parish networks.
Structure and Local Fraternities
Maltese Secular Franciscans are organized into local fraternities linked to and spiritually guided by the three branches of the First Order (Franciscan Friars) present on the islands:
The Friars Minor (O.F.M.)
The Franciscan Conventuals (O.F.M. Conv.)
The Franciscan Capuchins (O.F.M. Cap.)
Local fraternities exist across several towns in Malta and Gozo, meeting regularly in local friaries or parish halls for prayer and formation.
What the OFS Does in Malta
Members volunteer extensively in local parishes, helping with catechism, liturgical animation, and community support. True to the Franciscan spirit, they help marginalized groups. They actively promote environmental care on the islands, reflecting St. Francis’s patronage of ecology.
How to Connect or Join
If you want to learn about the formation process, you can explore the community online via the Secular Franciscan Order Malta Facebook Group.
Alternatively, you can inquire directly with the National Spiritual Director Fr Paul Attard OFM on : frangiskan@gmail.com