“The Franciscan Journey” By Lester Bach OFM Cap.
A commentary:
In the late 90s, my journey intertwined with Lester Bach—a mentor, visionary, and steadfast guardian of the Franciscan spirit, as a Regional Minister, National Councilor, and later a student and teacher of his transformative Spiritual Assistant formation program. I witnessed firsthand his profound devotion to the Secular Franciscan Order. Lester was more than a colleague; he was a compass for our community, steering us through turbulent waters with a rare blend of wisdom, humility, and unshakable integrity. His love for the Franciscan way of life was contagious, and his legacy lingers in the quiet spaces where I still find myself wishing for his counsel or the calm certainty he brought to every challenge.
Now, as our fraternity opens a new chapter of Inquiry—a time of discovery for those drawn to the Franciscan path—Lester’s teachings echo louder than ever. His belief in formation as a journey of the heart, not just the mind, inspires me daily as I join our formation team, eager inquirers, and the broader community in this sacred work. Together, we honor his memory not through words but by nurturing the seeds of curiosity, service, and fraternity he spent decades cultivating.
I step forward with gratitude for the past and hope for the future. Chapter One begins now—and every voice, question, and story has its place here.
Chapter 1: Orientation in the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS)
Introduction to the Franciscan Way of Life
Chapter 1 of Lester Bach’s The Franciscan Journey serves as both a doorway and a blueprint for those drawn to the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS). Bach frames the OFS not merely as an institution but as a living, breathing call to embody Franciscan spirituality in the grit and grace of everyday life. With clarity and warmth, he emphasizes that Secular Franciscans are not bound by traditional vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Instead, they align their lives with the radical spirit of the Beatitudes—Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels that call followers to humility, mercy, peacemaking, and solidarity with the marginalized.
The chapter also sets clear expectations: commitment to the OFS is not a passive affiliation but a call to ongoing conversion. Members are invited to deepen their prayer life, nurture fraternal bonds within their local community, and actively engage in works of mercy and ecological care—all while embodying the joyful, countercultural hope of the Gospel.
The chapter also acts as a gentle yet honest bridge for newcomers, demystifying the commitments of the Franciscan path. Bach underscores that embracing this vision demands more than admiration—it requires a willingness to let go of ego, prioritize community over individualism, and engage in ongoing conversion of heart. Formation, he suggests, is not a checklist but a lifelong dance between contemplation and action, where the Rule of the OFS becomes a compass rather than a rigid map.
By grounding lofty ideals in practical steps—prayer, simplicity, service—Bach assures readers that the Franciscan journey is neither solitary nor static. It is an invitation to walk alongside others, fueled by the same fire that animated St. Francis: a love that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Integration of Franciscan Values
Bach emphasizes that embracing the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is not about acquiring knowledge for its own sake. It is about weaving Franciscan spirituality into the very fabric of daily life. For newcomers, this means moving beyond intellectual understanding to a lived experience. The principles of the OFS shape not only actions but also attitudes. They influence relationships and worldviews as well.
This integration is deeply practical, touching every aspect of existence. It calls for a shift in how one engages with others, approaches challenges, and finds meaning in the ordinary. Franciscan values like simplicity, humility, and service are not abstract ideals to admire from afar. They invite us to live differently. We are called to see the divine in the marginalized. We find joy in letting go of excess. We serve others with a heart free of self-interest.
Such a transformation aligns with the radical vision of St. Francis of Assisi, who didn’t just preach the Gospel but embodied it in every breath. Bach reminds us that the Franciscan journey is not a passive observance but an active commitment—a call to “become the Gospel” in a world hungry for authenticity and compassion.
Formation Process
Bach frames Franciscan formation not as a program to complete. Instead, it is a pilgrimage of the heart. This journey is a dynamic, lifelong immersion into the charism that defined St. Francis. The process is designed to awaken more than knowledge; it seeks to transform seekers into living witnesses of Franciscan spirituality.
Central to this journey are three intertwined practices. Readings root individuals in the rich soil of Franciscan history and theology. Reflections bridge ancient wisdom to modern struggles. Active participation in a community allows faith to be lived out loud. Formation here is not passive—it demands hands, heart, and mind. Through shared prayer, service, and dialogue, members learn to “see with the eyes of the Gospel” and respond to the world’s fractures with healing presence.
Crucially, Bach reminds readers that formation never truly ends. A rhythm of study, prayer, and action deepens, calling individuals to continual conversion. Like St. Francis, who spent a lifetime relearning how to love, we are invited to embrace growth. It should be seen not as a burden but as a sacred unfolding—one step, one choice, one act of radical love at a time.
Church Documents and Franciscan Sources
- The Word of The Church
The Secular Franciscan Order’s Rule bridges 13th-century Franciscan roots and modern magisterial teachings. St. Francis’s Letter to All the Faithful (1221) laid an early foundation. Nicholas IV’s Supra montem (1289) formalized lay Franciscan life. Vatican II emphasized lay holiness. Paul VI approved the modern Rule (1978). Through these events, the OFS remains a dynamic vocation. It calls members to embody Gospel simplicity, serve the marginalized, and transform society, guided by centuries of Church wisdom and Franciscan charism.
The OFS Rule, rooted in these magisterial texts, unites the Franciscan charism (Seraphicus Patriarcha) with Vatican II’s vision of lay holiness (Lumen Gentium) and evangelization (Evangelii Nuntiandi). From Leo XIII’s social emphasis to John Paul II’s call for communion, these documents guide Secular Franciscans to live as “leaven” in the world, balancing prayer, conversion, and service.
2. Francis of Assisi: Early Documents (13th-Century Texts)
The Early Documents—including Thomas of Celano’s First and Second Life of St. Francis, St. Bonaventure’s Major Legend, and the poignant Legend of the Three Companions—offer an unfiltered window into the radicality of St. Francis’ life and mission. These texts, written by those who knew him intimately, reveal a man who embodied the Gospel with unsettling intensity. They recount his rejection of wealth to embrace “Lady Poverty,” his daring peacemaking during the Crusades, and his revolutionary ethic of kinship that extended even to “Brother Wolf” and “Sister Moon.”
The documents highlight Francis’ belief that peace is not passive but requires active justice: he rebuilt ruined churches, confronted greed in the marketplace, and dialogued with Sultan Al-Kamil amid interfaith hostility. He loved creation, famously exemplified in his preaching to birds. This was not sentimentalism but a theological conviction. All beings reflect the divine. For modern Franciscans, these texts go beyond being historical records. They are provocations to live with the same “holy boldness.” They encourage turning ideals of mercy, humility, and ecological care into tangible action.
3. The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS Rule, Church-Approved)
The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, formally approved by Pope Paul VI in 1978, distills the essence of Franciscan spirituality into a roadmap for laypeople living in the world. Grounded in the Gospels and the charism of St. Francis, the Rule is not a list of obligations but an invitation to “go from Gospel to life, and life to Gospel” (Article 4). It outlines three pillars:
Prayer: Daily communion with God through liturgy, meditation, and the Psalms, fostering a heart attuned to divine grace.
Fraternity: Active participation in local OFS communities, where members support one another in joy and struggle, embodying Francis’ ideal of “being brothers and sisters to all.”
Apostolic Mission: Engagement in works of justice, peace, and care for creation, driven by the conviction that “they must strive to bring joy and hope to others” (Article 14).
The Rule also emphasizes ongoing conversion, urging members to regularly examine their lives through the lens of Franciscan values. For example, its call to “simplicity of heart” challenges consumerism, while its mandate to “respect all creatures” demands ecological accountability.
Together, these texts form a living tapestry of Franciscan identity. The Early Documents preserve the fire of his original vision, and the OFS Rule provides the structure to incarnate that vision today. Collectively, they affirm that Franciscanism is not a relic of the past but a dynamic call to rebuild the Church—stone by stone, heart by heart—in every generation.
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