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The leadership of the Province today is as follows: Minister Provincial: Caoimhín Ó Laoide
Vicar Provincial: Hugh Mc Kenna
Definitors: Joseph Condren, Brendan McGrath, Pat Younge and Bernard Jones
Provincial Secretary: Joe MacMahon |
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 There are three groups of Catholic Franciscans:
- the first Order (men) called "Friars Minor";
- the second Order (women) called "Poor Clares";
- and the third Order (men and women) which divides up into "Regular Franciscans" and "Secular Franciscans".
Within the "Friars Minor" there are three distinct traditions, each a separate family now. These are the "Order of Friars Minor" (OFM) with about 17,000 members; the "Order of Friars Minor Capuchin" (OFM Cap.) with about 12,000 members; and the "Order of Friars Minor Conventual" (OFM Conv.) with about 3,500 members.
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 When writing the Rule or "Way of Life" for the first Order, Francis wrote:
"The Rule and Life of the Friars Minor is this, namely, to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." The essence of this Franciscan life remains the same today, despite changes in times and circumstances through eight centuries of history. |
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 Clare was born in Assisi about 1193. Despite violent opposition from the men in her family, she decided to follow this new way of gospel life, inspired by both the preaching and the example of Francis. She developed the new "form of life" in a community for women, marked by sisterly communion, prayer and manual labour, with no stable sources of revenue.
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The "Order of Friars Minor" today is one branch of the First Order of Friars Minor founded by St. Francis of Assisi. Down the years since Francis died in 1226, the Order he founded experienced various divisions as different aspects of the charism of Francis were given greater emphasis. Today there are three main branches of the First Order, the Friars Minor (OFM), the Conventuals (OFMConv.) and the Capuchins (OFMCap.) Each owes its existence to the original charism of Francis, and each looks to francis as its original founder. Each has its own jurisdiction today, but there is a shared sense of brotherhood.
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