The Order of Friars Minor (O.F.M.), popularly known as the Franciscan Friars, was founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209. St. Francis was born in 1181 (or 1182) in the town of Assisi, Italy. Though he came from a wealthy merchant family, Francis felt called by God to renounce his wealth and embrace a life of poverty in order to follow Jesus more closely.
Francis and his first companions, inspired by the example of the Lord Jesus, turned away from a society absorbed in the pursuit of power, glory, and wealth. Their goal was simple: to follow in the footsteps of Jesus by living according to the pattern of the Holy Gospel. In this spirit, they placed themselves at the humble service of others, seeking neither profit, prestige, nor power.
St. Francis saw the presence of God in every created being and loved and cared for all of creation with reverence and wonder. For this reason, he is honoured today as the patron saint of ecology.
The Order of Friars Minor is one branch of the wider Franciscan family, which also includes the Conventual and Capuchin Franciscans, as well as the Poor Clares and the Secular Franciscan Order. Today, the Order is present in 110 countries worldwide, organised into 103 Provinces, 8 autonomous Custodies, 14 dependent Custodies, 20 Foundations, and 1 Federation, grouped into 14 Conferences of Provincial Ministers. The Order's General Curia is headquartered in Rome.
