Spirituality
Spirituality
Our spirituality is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition and is shaped by the teachings and example of Francis and Clare of Assisi. It guides us in our daily lives and inspires us to live a life of love, humility, and service.
Franciscan Spirituality
Christian spirituality, which is grounded in God and revealed through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit, is made concrete in Franciscan spirituality through the example of Francis and Clare, who lived according to the Gospel. It is continued by individual religious communities with their own emphases.
“We love because he first loved us.”
– 1 John 4:19
Following Jesus Christ
Our goal is to follow Jesus’ life and teachings – not as mere imitation, but as an expression of empowerment through the Holy Spirit.
The Three Evangelical Counsels
The call and endeavor to follow this claim led to the formation of a specific way of life, which is expressed today in the three evangelical counsels. Celibacy, poverty, and obedience are – corresponding to Jesus’ way of life – essential characteristics of religious life.
Francis Clare
In all centuries, there have been awakenings in which the Gospel was brought to light anew. At the beginning of the 13th century, it was Francis of Assisi who felt deeply affected by the Word of God and subsequently lived it radically. His passion for Christ had a contagious effect, both on men who joined him and on women, especially Clare of Assisi, who in turn founded a new movement through her way of life.
Franciscan Family
Thus, the Order of Friars Minor (First Order, today Minorites, Franciscans, and Capuchins) and the Poor Clares (Second Order, today all women’s communities living contemplatively according to the Rule of St. Clare) came into being. People who did not join the brotherhood or sisterhood but remained in their sphere of life as married or single women and men were also attracted to Franciscan spirituality. From this grew the Third Order, which is divided into a “secular” branch – now called “Franciscan Community” – and a monastic “Regular” branch.
Like many independent religious communities worldwide, we Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity also belong to the Regular Third Order.
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
– Galatians 2:20
Franciscan Characteristics
Francis was overwhelmed by God’s poverty and humility in the Incarnation, the Eucharist, and Jesus’ death on the cross. Accordingly, the manger, the cross, and the Eucharist are the three pillars of Franciscan spirituality. They led Francis to those attitudes of faith that we now call “typically Franciscan”.
Our Mission of Love
The essence of our community is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ, who loved us first. This love is the driving force behind our service and our life in community.
Our vocation is to pass on the love we have received from Christ. This service to the least among us is our way of fulfilling Jesus’ mission.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
– Matthew 25:40
