St. Maximillian Kolbe

Secular Franciscan Order

We are a Secular Franciscan Order that meets once a month at Marytown Shrine, in Libertyville Illinois

"Let us give ourselves to the Immaculata entirely, completely, unreservedly. She will direct us, protect us, and help us to be faithful to the Rule of Saint Francis and to our mission as Franciscans in the world." St. Maximillian Kolbe

What Does It Mean To Live The Gospels?

As a Lay Secular Franciscan, also known as a member of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS), we belong to a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Francis of Assisi.

We are lay men and women, whether single or married, who live in the world but are profoundly dedicated to living out the Gospel and embracing the spirit of Saint Francis in our daily lives.

What Does It Mean To Become A Secular Franciscan?

Our Purpose

The Secular Franciscan Order was established by St. Francis of Assisi more than 800 years ago. Our purpose is to bring the Gospel to life where we live and where we work. We look for ways to embrace the Gospel in our lives and try to help others to do likewise.

Who can Join the Franciscan Order?

To become a Secular Franciscan, you need to be a Catholic in good standing, whether single or married. Diocesan priests and permanent deacons can join this joyful path. As a practicing Catholic who attends Mass every Sunday, stepping into the life of a Secular Franciscan is a deep and fulfilling commitment to living the Gospel more fully. If you’re at least 18, share the Catholic faith, live in communion with the Church, uphold good moral standing, and feel that special call in your heart, you might just be ready to take this wonderful step!

Celebrating 42 Years as a Fraternity!

What We Offer

As a Franciscan: Your soul in Eternity

Penance

Remove the Meaningless to Return the Meaningful

The aims of Penance can be found within the Secular Franciscan Rule and Articles and the examples of Clare and Francis of Assisi:

* To strive for perfect charity in our secular state.
* To live a Gospel life as St Francis did.
* To announce Christ to others – To be little sermons by our life-style, words and actions.
*To understand the treasure that humility brings not only to others but to the Self.
*To know the meaning of kenosis and how it frees the self from ego, thereby making more room from Christ-like qualities to develop within us.
*To contemplate on Christ – St Clare’s formula to gaze, to consider, to contemplate and then to imitate is a good example to follow.
*To intentionally chose work or develop a career that helps others.
*To receive the Eucharist as often as possible – to meet Christ at his altar.
* Build a more fraternal and evangelical world.

The Rule

From Gospel to life - from life to gospel

The Rule is the Franciscan guidebook, igniting Secular Franciscans to live the Gospel simply and boldly.

As a book, The Rule is a compact yet profound text, rooted in St. Francis’ vision and adapted for laypeople in the modern world.

There are 19 numbered articles (plus a prologue) that make up The Rule. Each article provides a specific directive or principle—effectively functioning as a “rule” for daily life and ongoing formation.

More than a set of directives, it’s a personal companion for ongoing formation—a lifelong roadmap that calls readers to weave Gospel values like peace, poverty, and love into their daily routines. Through its articles, it offers a structure for growth, urging Secular Franciscans to reflect, act, and return to Christ’s words, fostering a faith that evolves with every step of their journey.

Why Franciscan?

All my life I wanted to be a religious sister. I received my vocation watching the movie, “The Nun’s Story” in 1959; I was 8 years old. I wanted to be a missionary nursing sister for many years.

I went to Alvernia High School, an all girl Catholic school operated by the school Sisters of St. Francis, who wanted every freshman to join the Third Order of St. Francis. I realized I just wasn’t ready to join the Order at 13 years of age. I waited to fulfill my vocation until I was 32 years old. I finally decided that the Secular Franciscan Order was the right fit for me and that the Carmelite Order was not where my calling directed me.

I found a fraternity close to my home and entered the program, making my profession on July 17th, 1983. My daughter, Marie, was 15 months old and my second daughter was born in 1984. This July I will be professed for 44 years.

There never is a right time to join the Secular Franciscan Order. One is a member of a religious family, and God helps you make the decision to follow Him while living in the secular world. Like St. Francis struggling between the contemplative and apostolic lifestyles, one follows the Lord according to His plan for you.

My husband, Henry Blum, became a Secular Franciscan on June 10th, 2007 (17 years ago), following in his wife’s footsteps. He wanted to help others and took the name, Nicholas, after the Christmas saint. He is now an usher and Knight of Columbus serving our parish.

Dale (Therese Clare)Skinner-Blum

#Franciscans

Fraternity's Gallery (we need pictures)