We are an international group of Franciscan women committed to a Gospel life inspired by St Francis and St Clare.
Where We Are and Where We Have Been
We are a relatively small congregation – under 180 sisters – spread across 8 countries. You can read about our origins in Heritage – a beautiful spirit led story of faith, perseverance and hope. Our story has, over the decades, led us to five continents. Where we currently serve can be found in FMDM Worldwide. As pilgrims we are called to respond to what God is asking of us and then when we have ‘done what is ours to do’ (cf St Francis) to move on in accordance with our missionary charism and the call of God’s Spirit.
Internationality and Cultural Diversity
As an international congregation we celebrate the rich diversity of our sisters whose cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds give us so much to celebrate and learn from and an opportunity to be witnesses to deep unity in diversity. Living in culturally diverse communities enriches so many aspects of our lives as sisters to one another.
Prayer
At the very heart of our lives is our relationship with God. We are nourished daily in personal and communal prayer, pondering the scriptures and in the celebration of the Eucharist. We draw inspiration from Our Lady who was so attentive to the voice of God and who “treasured all these things in her heart” as she sought to make sense of all that God was asking of her. St Francis and St Clare model deep contemplative prayer and have left us so much guidance and inspiration through their writings and those who wrote about them.
Community
The gift of our religious vocation is that we are never alone. We journey with others who support, challenge and encourage us to respond daily to all that God is asking of us. The model and shape of our community life varies across the world. We live in a spirit of interdependence, making our needs known to the community which supports us in every way. Whatever our role is in community we work together, supporting the service of authority by co-responsibility, community discernment and regular evaluation. (Constitution 51)
Ministry
As Franciscan women our primary ministry is one of presence; living in right relationship with our sisters and brothers and all of creation. Whatever practical work we may do, wherever or whomever we may serve, whatever ministry we find ourselves involved in, we are called to ‘be sister’. To see each person we encounter with the eyes and heart of Christ knowing that we are all daughters and sons of the one God who loves and cherishes every created being. We seek always to witness to the goodness and beauty of God in our world. Our FMDM ministries vary across the globe; our priorities are always to serve the poor and the vulnerable; those who find themselves marginalised. You can see more of our ministries in FMDM worldwide.
Considering a Vocation to Religious Life?
Each of us is cherished and called by God to fulfil what He wants for us. If you are reading this with a sense you may be called to live your life as a Religious Sister, then do get in touch with us through the Contact Us link on our website. The journey of vocational discernment is personalised for each woman who approaches us searching for what God is asking of her.