Francis, the son of a rich merchant, was born into a violent period of history. His times were filled with warring factions between the classes. While Francis was convalescing from a grave illness after having been a prison-of-war, he felt a calling to convert his life. He decided to serve the poorest of the poor, those whom everyone had abandoned.

Francis' new lifestyle attracted others. They joined his company and he formed them into the Order of Friars Minor. Women also longed to live his simple and poor Gospel life. With the young Clare he founded the Second Order of Poor Ladies. Other men and women, who were not called to the religious life, desired to live as much as possible according to Francis' Way. At their request he wrote a simple Rule. Thus began (possibly in 1209) his Third Order of the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. Pope Honorius III approved this Rule in 1221. For centuries it was called the Third Order of St. Francis (TOF); now it is called the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO).

The greatest benefit derived from membership in the SFO is to be an heir to its time-tested and well-balanced spirituality, which is rooted firmly in the Gospels. Franciscanism stresses these Gospel virtues:

• A childlike devotion to God the Father
• Love of all people
• Esteem for all God's creatures
• Inner repentance
  
• Sincere humility
  
• A chaste life according to one's single or married status
  
• Confident patience
  
• Cheerfulness
  
• A high regard for all kinds of work, even menial
  
• Devotion to the Immaculate Virgin Mary
  
• Loyalty to the teachings of the Church