The Old Catholic Order of St. Francis (OCF)
The General Rule of the Order...
The Three Aims of the Old Catholic Order of St Francis are:
To make our Lord known and loved everywhere
By word and example, Brothers and Sisters witness to Christ in their daily lives. By prayer and
sacrifice they help forward God's work, wherever they are called.
To spread the spirit of fellowship
By working happily with people regardless of race, colour, creed, education and opportunity,
Brothers and Sisters seek to break down the divisions in the world. They try to live in the spirit
of St Francis' prayer: "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace."
To live simply
Acknowledging that everything belongs to God, Brothers and Sisters seek to use Gods gifts
wisely acting as good stewards of this fragile earth, never destroying or wasting what God has
made. They provide the things necessary for themselves and their families without
demanding luxuries. They seek never to forget the needs of others.
Chapter One: Ecclesiastical Oversight
The Old Catholic Order of St Francis is a self-governing, independent, religious Order within
Old Catholicism. The founding Brother and first Minister General of the Order is: + Father
Richard Kalbfleisch, OCF
Chapter Two: Stages of Commitment
Each member will progress through the following stages of commitment:
Chapter Three: Daily Life
The Brothers and Sisters of this Order shall dress simply when in secular clothing.
Those who are accepted into the Order shall be presented with a Tau Cross pendant which is to
be worn either outside or under secular clothing as an ever-present reminder of their
professed vows. Bishops of the order may wear their pectoral cross instead of the Tau Cross
pendant.
Those who are professed members of the Order may wear the habit of the Order to services of
Divine worship and at meetings of the Order. The habit of the Order should not be worn in
public or when working in a secular occupation. Brother or Sisters who live in a friary or convent
may wear their habits at all times.
The Brothers and Sisters should refrain from attending unseemly parties, shows or dances.
They should avoid unholy conversation - always mindful of the purity of life all Christians are
called to.
Each Brother or Sister is encouraged to be actively involved with issues of the environment,
children, the elderly, the poor, race relations, human rights, ecumenism, etc. This involvement
may be expressed either as involvement with groups relating to these issues, personal work
with individuals and by intercessory prayer.
Chapter Four: Abstinence, Fasting and other penitential disciplines
All Brothers and Sisters shall abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year and observe a strict
fast on one Friday of each month, and all Fridays of Lent. After discussion with their Spiritual
Director, any Brother or Sister may substitute abstinence and fasting with any other specific
behaviour which, for them, will require sustained and meaningful discipline to maintain.
Any Brother or Sister who is ill or suffers from a chronic health condition that would preclude
them from fasting is dispensed from such obligation.
Any Brother or Sister who is over the age of sixty is automatically dispensed from the
obligation of fasting and abstinence. This does not preclude a Brother or Sister from either
penance on an occasional basis, as they are so inclined. Other acts of charity or penance such
as visitation to the sick and infirm or additional time of prayer and meditation may be
substituted and are encouraged, following discussion with a Brother's or Sister's Spiritual
Director, by any province at their discretion.
Chapter Five: Prayer
All Brothers and Sisters are to pray the Daily Office of the Church consisting of, at least,
Morning, Evening & Night prayer.
All Brothers and Sisters are to prayerfully read and ponder the daily Mass lectionary or its
equivalent especially the Gospel of our Lord each day.
Chapter Six: The Sacraments, Other Matters
All Brothers and Sisters are to make a confession of their sins through the sacrament of
Reconciliation at least once a year, unless they have committed grave sin in which case
confession should be sought as soon as possible.
Brothers and Sisters are to receive communion at least weekly on Sunday and more often if
available. Those ordained as Priests or Bishops should make every effort to celebrate the
Mass daily.
Brothers and Sisters are to be reconciled to their neighbours and to restore what belongs to
others.
Tertiary Brothers and Sisters are to financially support their local church community so to do
the work of the Lord. (The amount of financial support is not prescribed. All offerings should
be freely given as so inclined.)
Brothers and Sisters are not to take up lethal weapons, or bear them against any person.
Brothers and Sisters are to refrain from formal oaths, unless necessity compels for peace, for
the Faith, to refute slander, and in bearing witness.
Chapter Seven: Correction, Dispensation and Officers
The Brother elected at the General Chapter to be the leader of the Order shall be known as
the Minister General. This election is to be held every third year at a place and time
designated by the current Minister General. Postulants and Novices may not be counted in the
voting process, but may speak and express opinion. Sisters who choose to live in a convent
community shall elect one of the sisters to be the Mother Superior of the convent. She will
serve in this capacity for three year terms. Every community of brothers living in a friary shall
elect one of the brothers to serve as the Minister Guardian of the friary to be served in three
year terms.
Each Brother or Sister owes obedience to Almighty God and to the "Rule". In addition, a vow of
obedience is expected to the Minister General, Mother Superior or Minister Guardian.. Only
those solemnly professed may hold any of these Offices.
If anyone learns that scandal is occurring relative to a Brother or Sister of the Order, it shall be
reported, to the Minister General. If the scandal continues after counseling and the offending
Brother or Sister remains unrepentant, the Minister General may expel them from the Order.
Any behaviour of a criminal nature will be immediately reported to the proper civilian
authorities - without exception.
Chapter Eight: Special Mass, Monthly Report and Annual Meeting
All Brothers and Sisters are to gather together at the time the Minister General shall see fit, in
a church or meeting place the Minister will make known, and there assist at Divine services
and fellowship. These Chapters are usually held once every three years.
All Brothers and Sisters are to send a monthly report to their Spiritual Director (or Mentor)
sharing how following in the Rule of the Order has helped in their spiritual growth in that time.
The report should share their joys, expectations, concerns and needs. The Spiritual Director
(or Mentor) should send a quarterly report regarding the same to the Minister General of the
Order.
All Brothers and Sisters should make every effort to attend the General Chapter of the Order.
It is at these meetings that Brothers and Sisters will make their permanent profession and
seek the blessing of, and instruction from, the Minister General.
Here ends the Rule of the Old Catholic Order of St Francis.
"All powerful, all holy, most high and supreme God, sovereign good, all good, every good, you who
alone are good, it is right that we must give all praise, all glory, all honour, all blessing: to you we
must refer all good always. Amen"
Revision dated: May 7, 2006
+ Father Richard Kalbfleisch, OCF
Minister General
Old Catholic Order of St. Francis (OCF)
The Three Aims of the Old Catholic Order of St Francis are:
To make our Lord known and loved everywhere
By word and example, Brothers and Sisters witness to Christ in their daily lives. By prayer and
sacrifice they help forward God's work, wherever they are called.
To spread the spirit of fellowship
By working happily with people regardless of race, colour, creed, education and opportunity,
Brothers and Sisters seek to break down the divisions in the world. They try to live in the spirit
of St Francis' prayer: "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace."
To live simply
Acknowledging that everything belongs to God, Brothers and Sisters seek to use Gods gifts
wisely acting as good stewards of this fragile earth, never destroying or wasting what God has
made. They provide the things necessary for themselves and their families without
demanding luxuries. They seek never to forget the needs of others.
Chapter One: Ecclesiastical Oversight
The Old Catholic Order of St Francis is a self-governing, independent, religious Order within
Old Catholicism. The founding Brother and first Minister General of the Order is: + Father
Richard Kalbfleisch, OCF
Chapter Two: Stages of Commitment
Each member will progress through the following stages of commitment:
- Postulancy - This is the period of time after a Brother or Sister makes application to
join the Order and is accepted as a Postulant. The Postulant is assigned to and works
with a mentor, studies the life of St Francis of Assisi, and reflects on the Rule of the
Order. Upon recommendation of the assigned mentor, the Postulant is admitted as a
"Novice". The length of Postulancy is not less than three months, and no more than
twelve months. - Noviciate - This is a period of not less than twelve months in which the new Brother or
Sister continues to work and communicate with their assigned mentor. These
communications may be either in person, via telephone or via the internet. Thirty days
prior to the expiration of the Noviciate, the novice and their mentor will communicate to
the Minister General the Novice's decision to move to the next stage. This
communication will be written, dated, and signed by the novice and the mentor. The
length of Noviciate is not more than two years. - First / Temporary Profession - The Brother or Sister will live under temporary vows for a
period of not less than one year. Two contacts per month between them and their
mentor are required. The mentor will make monthly written reports to the Minister
General pertinent to the Brother's or Sister's progress toward solemn profession. The
length of Temporary Profession is not more than three years. - Solemn Profession - The temporarily vowed Brother or Sister can make a permanent
profession of vows at their own written request to the Minister General after a minimum
of one year under temporary vows.
Chapter Three: Daily Life
The Brothers and Sisters of this Order shall dress simply when in secular clothing.
Those who are accepted into the Order shall be presented with a Tau Cross pendant which is to
be worn either outside or under secular clothing as an ever-present reminder of their
professed vows. Bishops of the order may wear their pectoral cross instead of the Tau Cross
pendant.
Those who are professed members of the Order may wear the habit of the Order to services of
Divine worship and at meetings of the Order. The habit of the Order should not be worn in
public or when working in a secular occupation. Brother or Sisters who live in a friary or convent
may wear their habits at all times.
The Brothers and Sisters should refrain from attending unseemly parties, shows or dances.
They should avoid unholy conversation - always mindful of the purity of life all Christians are
called to.
Each Brother or Sister is encouraged to be actively involved with issues of the environment,
children, the elderly, the poor, race relations, human rights, ecumenism, etc. This involvement
may be expressed either as involvement with groups relating to these issues, personal work
with individuals and by intercessory prayer.
Chapter Four: Abstinence, Fasting and other penitential disciplines
All Brothers and Sisters shall abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year and observe a strict
fast on one Friday of each month, and all Fridays of Lent. After discussion with their Spiritual
Director, any Brother or Sister may substitute abstinence and fasting with any other specific
behaviour which, for them, will require sustained and meaningful discipline to maintain.
Any Brother or Sister who is ill or suffers from a chronic health condition that would preclude
them from fasting is dispensed from such obligation.
Any Brother or Sister who is over the age of sixty is automatically dispensed from the
obligation of fasting and abstinence. This does not preclude a Brother or Sister from either
penance on an occasional basis, as they are so inclined. Other acts of charity or penance such
as visitation to the sick and infirm or additional time of prayer and meditation may be
substituted and are encouraged, following discussion with a Brother's or Sister's Spiritual
Director, by any province at their discretion.
Chapter Five: Prayer
All Brothers and Sisters are to pray the Daily Office of the Church consisting of, at least,
Morning, Evening & Night prayer.
All Brothers and Sisters are to prayerfully read and ponder the daily Mass lectionary or its
equivalent especially the Gospel of our Lord each day.
Chapter Six: The Sacraments, Other Matters
All Brothers and Sisters are to make a confession of their sins through the sacrament of
Reconciliation at least once a year, unless they have committed grave sin in which case
confession should be sought as soon as possible.
Brothers and Sisters are to receive communion at least weekly on Sunday and more often if
available. Those ordained as Priests or Bishops should make every effort to celebrate the
Mass daily.
Brothers and Sisters are to be reconciled to their neighbours and to restore what belongs to
others.
Tertiary Brothers and Sisters are to financially support their local church community so to do
the work of the Lord. (The amount of financial support is not prescribed. All offerings should
be freely given as so inclined.)
Brothers and Sisters are not to take up lethal weapons, or bear them against any person.
Brothers and Sisters are to refrain from formal oaths, unless necessity compels for peace, for
the Faith, to refute slander, and in bearing witness.
Chapter Seven: Correction, Dispensation and Officers
The Brother elected at the General Chapter to be the leader of the Order shall be known as
the Minister General. This election is to be held every third year at a place and time
designated by the current Minister General. Postulants and Novices may not be counted in the
voting process, but may speak and express opinion. Sisters who choose to live in a convent
community shall elect one of the sisters to be the Mother Superior of the convent. She will
serve in this capacity for three year terms. Every community of brothers living in a friary shall
elect one of the brothers to serve as the Minister Guardian of the friary to be served in three
year terms.
Each Brother or Sister owes obedience to Almighty God and to the "Rule". In addition, a vow of
obedience is expected to the Minister General, Mother Superior or Minister Guardian.. Only
those solemnly professed may hold any of these Offices.
If anyone learns that scandal is occurring relative to a Brother or Sister of the Order, it shall be
reported, to the Minister General. If the scandal continues after counseling and the offending
Brother or Sister remains unrepentant, the Minister General may expel them from the Order.
Any behaviour of a criminal nature will be immediately reported to the proper civilian
authorities - without exception.
Chapter Eight: Special Mass, Monthly Report and Annual Meeting
All Brothers and Sisters are to gather together at the time the Minister General shall see fit, in
a church or meeting place the Minister will make known, and there assist at Divine services
and fellowship. These Chapters are usually held once every three years.
All Brothers and Sisters are to send a monthly report to their Spiritual Director (or Mentor)
sharing how following in the Rule of the Order has helped in their spiritual growth in that time.
The report should share their joys, expectations, concerns and needs. The Spiritual Director
(or Mentor) should send a quarterly report regarding the same to the Minister General of the
Order.
All Brothers and Sisters should make every effort to attend the General Chapter of the Order.
It is at these meetings that Brothers and Sisters will make their permanent profession and
seek the blessing of, and instruction from, the Minister General.
Here ends the Rule of the Old Catholic Order of St Francis.
"All powerful, all holy, most high and supreme God, sovereign good, all good, every good, you who
alone are good, it is right that we must give all praise, all glory, all honour, all blessing: to you we
must refer all good always. Amen"
Revision dated: May 7, 2006
+ Father Richard Kalbfleisch, OCF
Minister General
Old Catholic Order of St. Francis (OCF)
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