| The Rule of Franciscans of Divine Mercy |
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Rule for the
Franciscans of Divine Mercy and Love of God
I. In the name of the Lord, the life of the Franciscans of Divine Mercy and Love of God begins.
The rule and life of the brothers and sisters of the Franciscans of Divine Mercy is this: To
observe the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience without anything of our
own, and in chastity. Brother Francis promises obedience and reverence to all the Patriarchs
canonically elected successors, and to the Old Catholic Church; as the first brothers were
obliged to obey Francis and his successors. Franciscans of Divine Mercy and Love of God
look to Saint Francis, our Seraphic Father as the guide to their living out the Gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ. St. Francis told his first companions at the end of his earthly life, “I have
done my duty; may Christ teach you yours” (1 Celano, 214). So, Saint Francis says this to us. In
seeking our duty, we turn to Saint Francis who was called by God to “Go and repair my
church”. We see ourselves doing our small part in repairing the Church into a more inclusive
Church through a life which announces in word and action the Infinite and Divine Mercy and
Love of Almighty God for all His Children. It is with this dedication at heart that we follow
the example of our holy Seraphic Father in adopting this as our rule of life.
II. Our foundation
The rule and life of the Franciscans of Divine Mercy is this:
To observe the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, desiring to be “founded on holy
Humility, and to imitate pure Simplicity, holy Prayer and our Lady Poverty” (Speculum
Perfectionis, 72). Franciscans of Divine Mercy, as Catholics-in-exile, hold the Roman Tradition
as their own and respect the Pope as the Bishop of Rome, a Patriarch who is first among
equals with all the Patriarchs. As the first companions were obliged to obey Francis and his
successors, so do Franciscans of Divine Mercy oblige themselves by their commitment to
obey the Minister-General and the Abbot Bishop of the Old Catholic Church.
III. Concerning those who wish to adopt this life
If someone should wish to adopt this life, he or she must go to the Minister-General to whom
alone is granted the right to receive members. The person should be examined carefully
regarding the Catholic faith and Sacraments of the Church as professed Reformed Catholic
Church International (RCCI) Profession of Faith. If they believe all these things, wishing to
confess them faithfully and observe them diligently until the end, then let them make an
application to the Order.
Those wishing to commit themselves to the order should submit a letter to the Father
General explaining why they desire to become a Franciscan of Divine Mercy, what
qualifications they believe they have to be accepted into the order, and what form of ministry
they feel call to be servants of God in.
Applicants undergo a minimum six-month Novitiate which will include a regimen of prayer,
reading, ministry and spiritual direction under the guidance of a member of the Order.
Should the novice, their spiritual director and the Minister-General all concur in the
readiness of the novice to pronounce a commitment to the Order; a First Profession will be
made. This will be the first of two one-year commitments. Should it be God’s will, Solemn
Profession follows and is renewed every three years at the General Chapter of the Order.
Should an applicant be or have been a member of a Franciscan community upon applying to
the Franciscans of Divine Mercy, Upon examination of their prior Franciscan formation and
experience, such an applicant may be granted profession without a novitiate. Such an
applicant may also be granted to make Solemn Profession after one year of Profession.
IV. Concerning the divine office and fasting; and how members ought to travel through the
world
Clerics are to perform the divine office according to the approved rites of the Church, and
may use the THE OFFICE OF THE PASSION OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, THE LITURGY OF THE
HOURS, or the soon to be published book of Franciscan Prayers and when traveling THE
MAGNIFICAT to fulfill their obligation. Lay members may use THE MAGNIFICAT or THE DIVINE
OFFICE.
All Members and companions of the order are required to pray the office at least three times
a day, Morning, Afternoon, and Night. All companions should pray for one another, for
vocations, and for the needs of the Order, the poor, disenfranchised and abused children of
God.
Companions should fast according to the Church’s the rules of the church and senior
members who can fast without causing danger to their health should also follow the rules of
Fasting and Abstinence on all days during Advent and Lent, except for Sundays. They are not
required to do so at other times. They should practice abstinence according to the rules of
the Church. In case of obvious necessity, however, they are excused from bodily fasting
and/or abstinence.
I counsel, admonish and beg my companions that, they be gentle, peaceful and unassuming,
courteous and humble, speaking respectfully to all they encounter as brothers and sisters in
Christ. Whatever house they enter, they are first to say, “The Peace and all God’s goodness
be with you”
The habit of the Order is a Brown Tunic, Capuche, and Knotted Cincture with the Seven
decades of St. Francis rosary suspended from their cincture on the left side and a San
Damiano Cross visible on a simple cord over the Capuche. When this is not practical or
desirable, companions who are clerics should wear clerical attire with the San Damiano Cross
on a simple cord around their neck; they can also wear the San Damiano Cross on a simple
cord around their neck over lay attire. Lay companions when not wearing the habit should
wear the San Damiano Cross on a simple cord or as a pin prominent on the outside of their
clothing.
V. On their manner of working
Companions whom the Lord favors with the gift of working should do so faithfully and
devotedly, to sustain their daily lives and provide for their personal needs. Companions
whose employment situation does not allow for the wearing of any of the religious attire
described in Chapter IV are excused from that provision of the Rule.
VI. The companions’ living situation; and concerning sick companions
Companions are required to provide for their needs, including lodging for themselves. This
will vary according to the living situations of the companions be they single, married or in a
holy union same sex commitment.
Wherever companions meet one another or other religious they are act like members of a
common family. Companions are to be welcoming to each other and seek and assist in the
needs of one another. When ever possible the companions and Sisters and Brothers of the
Franciscans of Divine mercy are to offer support to one another, the order and the parent
mission of the order according to their financial condition.
The brothers should go confidently after alms, serving God in poverty and humility, as
pilgrims and strangers in this world. Nor should they feel ashamed, for God made himself
poor in this world for us. This is that peak of the highest poverty which has made you, my
dearest brothers and sisters, heirs of the kingdom of heaven, poor in things but rich in
virtues. Let this be your portion. It leads into the land of the living and, adhering totally to it,
for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ wish never to have anything else in this world, beloved
brothers.
Companions of the Franciscans of Divine mercy are to send 10% of any financial
considerations or donations they receive for services performed like weddings, funerals,
Baptisms or memorial masses to the Father General for use in furthering the work of the
order, Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus and the Old Catholic Church.
Let all members and companions of the order securely make their needs known to one
another, and if one of them should become ill, let the others serve them as they themselves
would like to be served.
VII. On the penances to be imposed on sinning companions
If any of the companions should sin mortally they should recur to the Minister-General
without delay if the sin is one of those for which such recourse is required. The minister, if a
priest, should mercifully prescribe a penance for them. If not a priest, they should see that it
is prescribed by others in the Order who are priests or of the Old Catholic Church who are
such, as seems best to them according to God.
VIII. On the election of the Minister-General of this Order; and on the General Chapter
The companions are always bound to have a member of the Order as Minister-General and
servant of the entire Order, and they are strictly bound to obey the Minister-General. The
Minister-General is elected by simple majority for a term of three (3) years by all companions
during the General Chapter. The length of term is to be determined by the General Chapter.
The General Chapter should meet every three (3) years or sooner or later if the Minister-
General should so ordain.
In the event of incapacitation or death of the Minister-General, the companions are required
to elect by simple majority one of their members as interim Minister-General to function with
all the responsibility and authority of a Minister-General until the next General Chapter.
If at some point it should appear to the companions that the Minister-General is incapable of
serving the companions properly, the companions should, in the name of God, choose
someone else. There should be agreement among at least two-thirds (2/3) of the companions
for this to occur. The election itself will require a simple majority.
Besides the General Chapter, the Minister-General may call the companions to a chapter or
retreat on alternate years, if he/she wishes and it seems worthwhile. All companions should
feel free to counsel the Minister-General on this matter of growing our sense of community
life.
IX. On preachers
I admonish and exhort the companions that in their preaching their words be studied and
chaste, useful and edifying to the people, telling them about vices and virtues, punishment
and glory; and stressing the Divine Mercy and love of God for all His children. Their
preaching ought to be brief, and Gospel centered stressing Christ’s commandment “Love
one another as I have loved you”.
X. On friendship among companions; and the admonition and correction of companions
Companions must make an effort to develop friendship in the Lord among them. This may be
done by visits, telephone, letter and electronic messaging. The sending of photographs is
encouraged. Care should be taken to be patient and generous of spirit with each other.
I admonish and exhort the companions in the Lord Jesus Christ to beware of all pride,
vainglory, envy, avarice, worldly care and concern, criticism and complaint. And I admonish
the illiterate not to worry about studying but to realize instead that above all they should wish
to have the spirit of the Lord working within them, and that they should pray to him constantly
with a pure heart, be humble, be patient in persecution and infirmity, and love those who
persecute, blame or accuse us, for the Lord says, "Love your enemies, pray for those who
persecute and accuse you" (Mt. 5:44). "Blessed are those who suffer persecution for
justice's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mt. 5:10). "He who has persevered until
the end, however, will be saved" (Mt. 10:22).
XI. On establishing missions or ministries.
Companions and members of the Franciscans of Divine Mercy are encouraged to form
ministries that serve their regions and the needs of God’s children in that region with the
knowledge that these missions or ministries are a part of the Franciscans of Divine Mercy
and subject to monthly reports of their ministry and any financial remuneration the
mission/ministry may have received to the Father General and the orders parent mission of
Sts. Sergius and Bacchus under whose corporate umbrella the order is incorporated. The
reports are to reach the Father General on or about the 12th of every month in order for
them to be included in the monthly News Letter of Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus with any
tithe for the month.
XII. Concerning the relationship to the Church
As an Order within the Old Catholic Church the Order of Franciscans of Divine Mercy and
Love of God and her members are bound to obedience to the Bishops of the Old Catholic
Church as governor, protector and abbot of the Order so that we servants will always
observe the simplicity, humility and holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which we firmly
promised and continually live a live of love and compassion for all God’s children.
I (Print Name) ______________________________________ have read the rule of the
Franciscans of Divine Mercy and Love of God and fully acknowledge and accept them as a
provision to my being accepted into the order as a lay companion or a vowed religious.
Signature ____________________________________________ Date __________________
Portions of this rule have been taken from The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi, Paschal
Robinson, trans, (Philadelphia: Dolphin Press, 1906).
