Vows

1.  Poverty.  We take a vow of poverty and simplicity of life.  Since we live a semi-monastic life in the world, we do not take a vow of absolute economic poverty, but we do vow to live simply without attachment to physical goods or anything else which is a barrier to our imitation of Christ.  We also take a vow of spiritual poverty, which may also be understood as a vow of humility.  At the end of the day, we realize that we are nothing special, but just common people trying in an intentional way to live the life God calls us to live.

2. Chastity.  We take a vow of chastity, not a vow of celibacy.  Our members come from all stations of life; married, partnered, and single.  A vow of chastity entails abstaining from sexual behavior in the absence of a committed relationship and fidelity within a relationship.

3. Obedience.  Of course, ultimate obedience is limited to God alone, but we also vow obedience to the Rule of Life of the Ecumenical Franciscans of the Reform.  We vow to be faithful to the requirements and responsibilities of the Order.

Membership

Details of the discernment process may be found on the Vocations page of this website. This section lists requirements and responsibilities involved in membership.

Requirements

• To apply, potential members must be at least 18 years of age.
• Members may not have had a felony conviction for crimes against persons or property in the last ten years.
• Members must pass a criminal background check.
• Members may not be registered sex offenders.

Responsibilities

• Members must have a spiritual director.
• Members must contribute $5 per month/$60 per year for administrative costs. Married or partnered couples will pay $5 per month for the couple.
• During the novitiate, novice members shall send quarterly reports to the Minister General.
• Members shall send annual reports to the Minister General.
• Failure to submit the reports in a timely manner may be cause for dismissal from the Ecumenical Franciscans of the Renewal.
• Members shall, at a minimum, recite morning and evening prayer on a daily basis and attend the worship service of their Church community every Sunday, except in cases of extreme illness.
• Members shall receive the Eucharist (Holy Communion) on a regular basis.
• Members shalll engage in daily periods of silent prayer.
• Members shall be involved in community service as a part of their ministry that reflects God's preferential option for the poor.
• Members shall wear either a San Damiano crucifix or a Tau cross over their clothing.
• Members may not wear a habit of any kind, but members may wear a dark colored hooded baja shirt with the cross of the Order when engaged in active ministry.
  
• There may be other responsibilities as determined by the Minister General.

Privileges

• All members, whether lay or ordained, are properly addressed as "brother" or "sister".
• Members may use the designation "EFR" after their name as in "John Doe, EFR"
• Novice members may use the designation n/EFR after their name.