Frequently Asked Questions
What is religious life?
Religious life is a way of life followed by Christians who choose to follow the rule as directed by their order’s founder. Some aspects of religious life are “traditional”, with a communal life often lived as celibate members, while other “dispersed” ways of religious life are lived out in the world with members either married or single. There is no one way of being a member of a religious community, and we hope that the following comments help to answer your questions.
What patterns of religious life exist in the Anglican Communion?
The Holy Spirit has blessed Anglican religious communities with a wide diversity of styles and charisms. In the Episcopal Church we usually speak of Religious Orders and Christian Communities.
A Religious Order of this Church is a society of Christians (in communion with the See of Canterbury) who voluntarily commit themselves for life, or a term of years: to holding their possessions in common or in trust; to a celibate life in community; and obedience to their Rule and Constitution. The Episcopal Church is in communion with the See of Canterbury, or the worldwide Anglican Communion.
A Christian Community of this Church under this Canon is a society of Christians (also in communion with the See of Canterbury) who voluntarily commit themselves for life, or a term of years, in obedience to their Rule and Constitution and whose member not necessarily are celibate or live in community. (Cf. Title III. Canon 14 of The Episcopal Church Constitution and Canons)
The Community of Francis and Clare identifies with the second pattern, that of a Christian Community.
What does life in the Community of Francis and Clare look like?
A sister or brother in the Community of Francis and Clare (CFC) may be married or single, lay or ordained, who discerns God’s call to them to be part of a dispersed community. They will be members of the Anglican Communion (or a denomination in Communion with the See of Canterbury) in good standing with their bishop and parish community, and seek to live a life of prayer, study, work, and service. They will commit themselves to the fourfold Daily Office, frequent reception of the Eucharist, study of the scriptures and Franciscan theology and spirituality and to service to their sisters and brothers, especially those in most need. Each member progresses in the community through the making of vows at the annual Chapter. Community members may wear a habit when entering the novitiate and a cross of the Community. Members keep in touch through social media, conference calls, telephone and old-fashioned mail, and gather for the annual Chapter meeting.
What are the differences between a monk and a friar and a nun and a sister?
Traditionally monks are single people who, upon entering a community, stay in that house for the rest of their lives. Monks pray and eat together and live in individual “cells” within their house or monastery. Friars have traditionally lived out in the world, sharing the Gospel and working to provide for themselves, even if they live in a common house. Both monks and friars are referred to as "brothers". In ordinary conversation, the terms nun and sister are sometimes used interchangeably. However, like monks, nuns live a contemplative life in a monastery which is usually cloistered (or enclosed) or semi-cloistered. The ministry of a nun is a life centered on prayer. Sisters on the other hand, live, minister, and pray within the world. A sister's life is called "active" or "apostolic" because they engage in works of mercy and other ministries that take the Gospel to others wherever they happen to live.
Who can join the CFC?
Applications may be received from women and men over the age of eighteen years who are in full communion with the See of Canterbury and active in their local communities. To see the list of ecumenical and interreligious full communion partners, CLICK HERE. There is no upper age limit and each applicant is considered on their own merit. The discernment process is explained more fully in the Rule.
What is a vow?
A vow is a statement of commitment and intent before God, and in CFC all vows are received by the community of sisters and brothers at the annual Chapter, sometimes in the presence of the Bishop Visitor.
What vows do you take?
Francis and Clare strove for humility and minority. They rejected the seductions of power, position, and status. We vow poverty, chastity, and obedience, seeking to place these evangelical counsels into a contemporary expression.
The vow of poverty (simplicity) reminds us that God’s love is uncomplicated and unconditional. We seek to live simply as an expression that God and God’s love are enough to sustain, nurture, challenge, and bring us to fullness.
The vow of chastity (fidelity) reminds us that God is faithful in love, and is expressed in treating another person in a way that honors their personhood and the Christ within them. The vow of Chastity also guides those who wish to be celibate as is appropriate with their status in life.
The vow of obedience (humility) reminds us that God is both within and without us. Obedience calls us to listen for God in the beauty of creation and the hearts of our companions and those we serve. We approach the world with open heartedness and humility. Obedience opens us to hear the God in all manners of life and in this we develop the spirit of hospitality.
How do you sustain yourselves?
Community members provide for their own needs and are generous in assisting those with lesser means.
Do you live together?
Although it is a possibility that could be explored, at this time community members do not live in communal houses.
How much do you pray? How do you do it?
Community members are required to pray four times each day, using the authorized liturgies of our home provinces. Each member sets aside a place for prayer in their home or in their local church.
Is the Community of Francis and Clare canonically recognized by the Episcopal Church?
Yes! In 2022, the Community of Francis and Clare has received full canonical recognition from the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church. Visit https://www.episcopalchurch.org/who-we-are/religious-orders-and-christian-communities/ for more information about religious communities in the Episcopal Church.