Forming a Servant Community:
Our Mission is to heal wounds, to reunite that which has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.
- St. Francis of Assisi

Thank you for your interest in the Lesser Franciscans. We are a servant community, a fellowship of like-minded Christians seeking to live our Christianity in a fresh and exciting way. The vision for the Lesser Franciscans began years ago while I was visiting the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi. I always had a curiosity and interest in Saint Francis, although I confess it was purely intellectual. But that all changed.

When I walked into the basilica under which the body of St. Francis is laid, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of holy presence. I have felt this kind of presence in the past, but usually it was part of a renewal experience, like Cursillo. I never expected to feel this in the tomb of a man who had been dead for 800 years. But I did.

Then and there, I realized God was calling me to look more closely at this man, and the life he led for the sake of Christ. I knew what I had to do; at least, I thought I did.

Following my usual way, I began to read every book I could find, and the more I read, the more dissatisfied I felt.
You see, Francis was all about living the Christian life, without excuses and without compromise. He would act on what the scriptures said; he would not just ponder them. I knew then that anything I did concerning Francis required action, not study alone.

I shared my experience with a few friends and asked for their prayers and help. Together, we prayed for guidance and the Lord's assistance. With so many Franciscan organizations in existence, we couldn't see why God might want one more. But as the weeks and months went past, we began to see more clearly the vision of the Lesser Franciscans you see today. As you visit this website I invite you to pray about whether or not God is leading you to discover more of this most gentle ministry.

God bless!

Fr Lance