Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 3/22/2004

Question
Hello,

I am doing a paper for my high school English class on Francis and I was wandering if you could tell me the different "rules" or guidelines that the Franciscans have to follow.  I already know about the Rule of 1221, are there any others, if not can you tell me about the rule of 1221?

Thank you for your time!

Answer
                   Shalom


Dear Monica
   I can't give there proper names. He founded or co-founded three orders.

 1. The First Order: male only religious which has three branches. All equally "founded" by him or a later member who brought reform to the order. They are:
    
Friar Minors
     Friar Minors-Conventual   
a site of a friary in the USA: www.marytown.org i got their shrine 2x a year.
      Friar Minor-Capuchin
a reform moved found by Blessed Mathew of Brassi



2 Second Order: the Poor Clares
  co founded  with st Clare of Assisi who wrote their formal years after his death, about month before her own.
It has three or four branches as well. All are cloisted nuns. I try to contact a former novice i know that might be able to give me more details.


3.Third Order of st Francis of Assisi
  Has two branches: Secular and Regular. He co founded the order with a married couple, Blessed Lusiuo and Donnabonna about 2 years before St Clare took her first vows. The secular which I am a member was found for secular laity (non vowed) and diocesan clergy. It has had 5 rules, each more detailed and fitting for the times. The last form was approved by Pope Paul VI in 1978 i believe. Regular was formed by Diocesan clergy that wanted to be of an religious order but couldnt for some reason.


Besides 3 Rules total but each branch of the orders has a Constitution that spells out there difference in life style. Other then the above other "francisan" are really the see more as grandfather then a father to their order in a sense :)

I can help also name some franciscan saints and other notables of the orders.  


                              Your servant but His First
                                   george card