Franciscans of the Holy Cross.
The Franciscans of the Holy Cross (O.F.C.) a self-governing (Independent/Autocephalous) Ecumenical Franciscan Order based in North America, now with communities spreading throughout Europe. We are not under the jurisdiction of the Roman Church, or any other Church, but are fully Catholic in faith and tradition.
We are Franciscans men and women, who live and work together in a common journey of faith and service. We're building a new Franciscan family, and are seeking people who desire a deeper relationship with God and humanity through a life of prayer, fraternity and devoted service to Jesus Christ. We are a open and loving Order that does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, racial, ethnic or national origin, physical capabilities, marital status, sexual orientation/personal affection, employment or work history, education, or social status. We believe that we are the Children of God and are all equal in God's eyes. In every way, we strive to be an open and welcoming Franciscan family.
Our Order is generally a non-residential Religious Order, which means that most of our Franciscans do not all live in a monastery, friary or convent. We do not require our members to give up their jobs, or move away from their home, friends and families, or make a financial or life changing sacrifice to belong to our Order. In doing so, our Franciscans remain self-supporting and live, work and perform their individual Franciscan mission within their own hometown communities surrounded by their friends and family.
Our way of life is proscribed in our Rule of Life, which is based on the Original Rule, established in 1221, for the First Order of Franciscans (originally called the Order of Friars Minor). We strive to lead our lives according to the words and works of Jesus Christ, and by the example, ideals and spirituality of our fraternal father Saint Francis of Assisi.
We endeavor to live the evangelical life of the Gospels of Jesus Christ as proscribed by our Founder, St. Francis of Assisi under the vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. These are the traditional three vows of most Catholic Religious Orders and we take them very seriously and yet interpret them in a modern way. We are obedient to the Rule and Constitution of The Franciscan Order of the Holy Cross (O.F.C.) and to those officers and administrators who we elect as servant leaders to help guide our work and ministries within the Franciscans of the Holy Cross (O.F.C.) as outlined in our Rule and Constitution.
Therefore, our traditional Vows can be understood by the following:
POVERTY equals SIMPLICITY of life in all things.
CHASTITY equals LOVE. All Christians are called to be chaste in their relationships.
OBEDIENCE equals JOY. We find great JOY in living the Rule of our Order, and being obedient to our elected servant leaders in the Franciscans of the Holy Cross (O.F.C.). We know that such leaders come "Not to be served but to serve" for the good of the Order. We, therefore, do not take titles in Religion other than 'Brother or Sister" to show our equality in Christ Jesus and in the Franciscan Way of Life!
As Franciscans living in today's World, our mission is to continue the work which began when Our Lord spoke to our fraternal father, Saint Francis of Assisi as he prayed before the cross in the ruins of the Church of San Damiano, and said:
"Repair My House, which has fallen into disrepair."
We strive to reach out and serve all of God's Children and to overcome the many problems which have divided Christians and people of all faiths. Our goal is to build a community where all are welcomed. All members of OFC are seen as equals, as they are in the eyes of God. We look forward to the day that all of God's Children can live in harmony, peace and faith.
The Franciscans of the Holy Cross is a self-governing Ecumenical Order open to all Christians that wish to be a part of our Franciscan Charism. To find out more please contact our Minister General The Most Reverend +Jack Isbell OFC using our contact us page on this website.
Reflections on the Rule and Constitution Of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross (OFC)
The Franciscans of the Holy Cross began in the summer months of 2004 with Br. Michael Laven and Br. Jack Isbell working together. We did this via e-mail, by discussing and praying about our founding an Ecumenical Independent Catholic Franciscan Order. We corrected our current Rule and Constitution of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross (OFC). We were able to take our Life Vows as the first members, of this new Ecumenical Catholic Franciscan Order, on September 19, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland.
I was sorry to see Br. Michael leave the order later the same year. OFC has grown to 18 members. We are continuing to receive applications. Our members are in Hawaii, in several states on the U. S. Mainland, France, Spain, and in Belize.
I served as Provincial Minister until June 6, 2013 when I was elected Minister General, as a life time appointment, by a majority vote of the Order. We pray that God, the Holy Spirit, will continue to bless and help us grow in the Franciscan Tradition. We stand with other Franciscan world fellowships. We are blessed to have three branches within our OFC: The First Order of the Holy Cross (OFC), The Second Order of the Poor Friars of St. Clare (PFC), and the Third Order of the Companions of Sr. Francis (CSF).
The Rule of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross (OFC)
The Mission Statement of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross sums up the meaning and the direction of our Rule. It is the path, a curb, and starting point of our Franciscan Order. We do not consider it a law but rather see it as a Spiritual Rule to assist us with our vows in our committed life in the OFC. The Mission Statement of OFC is as follows: “As an Ecumenical Community of Franciscans, we are dedicated to knowing, loving and serving God via the communal celebration of Jesus Christ. Building upon our foundational ethnic and Catholic heritage we, as a Franciscan family, welcome diversity and value each other’s God-given gifts in a spirit of Franciscan Joy and love. Our members walk together to bring our community into the Dominion of God. We are a Catholic Order and we are autocephalous. The OFC is not under the authority of any church.”
Our Rule is not a burden but rather a daily living out of our lives in Religion, to mark who we are and to whom we are called to serve. The Spirit of God gives us the power and the assistance to live such a Life Rule.
The Constitution of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross (OFC)
Our Constitution is a living document accepted by the founding members of our Order of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross. It is further adopted by the on-going new members of our Order as they take their First Vows (Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience). Therefore, our traditional Vows can be understood by the following:
POVERTY equals SIMPLICITY of life in all things.
CHASTITY equals LOVE. All Christians are called to be chaste in their relationships.
OBEDIENCE equals JOY. We find great JOY in living the Rule of our Order, and being obedient to our elected servant leaders in the Franciscans of the Holy Cross (O.F.C.). We know that such leaders come "Not to be served but to serve" for the good of the Order. We, therefore, do not take titles in Religion other than 'Brother or Sister" to show our equality in Christ Jesus and in the Franciscan Way of Life!
The Constitution is subject to correction or amendment by a majority vote of the Life Members of our OFC at any given general chapter of our OFC and as approved by the Minister General.
We say it is “Living” because it assists our OFC as staying close to our founding traditions and statements of Franciscan Religious Life. It is the document that spells out how we govern ourselves. It is my prayer that it never becomes legalistic or a burden. The Constitution, along with our Rule, is the guide for our Lives and gives us Joy as Franciscans.
Pax et Bonum!
T Br. Jack Isbell, OFC Minister General of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross May 11, 2015
The Companions of Saint Francis.
The Companions of St. Francis are women and men, laity or clergy, who wish to support the work and objectives of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross. (O.F.C.). Conversely, members of the O.F.C. desire to support Companions in their own personal journey with God, following in the spirit and footsteps of our fraternal father, Saint Francis of Assisi.
A Companion takes no vows, nor are they expected to live under the OFC Rule as do our Professed members of Franciscans of the Holy Cross. They are encouraged to develop a personal rule of life for themselves to live. They promise to pray regularly for the Franciscans of the Holy Cross (O.F.C.), and to support the Order. They are asked to make OFC's work and ideals known in whatever way possible. There is also no expectation that Companions will join the Order. However, some may find that becoming a Companion is the first of many steps in discerning their vocation as a Franciscan.
The relationship between the Companions and members of the O.F.C. will depend greatly on the level of involvement that a Companion wishes to have.
However, the fundamental basis of the relationship between Companions and O.F.C. brothers and sisters is that of mutual prayer, friendship and support.
Some areas that Companions of Saint Francis may been involved include:
- Organizing local discussions on Franciscan Spirituality.
- Inviting brothers & sisters of OFC to speak at their parishes and other groups.
- Writing articles of interest to Franciscans, the Church, and the wider community through newspapers, newsletters, and magazines.
- Organizing special liturgical celebrations in their parishes, e.g. Earth Day services, Celebrations of Franciscan Saints Days and Retreats or Quiet Days.
- Working along side members of the O.F.C. in projects of mutual interest.
- Participating in the prayer life of the Order by attending some or all of the O.F.C. Prayer Services.
- Assisting with workshops run by the Order.
- To pray regularly for the Franciscans of the Holy Cross (O.F.C.).
- To support the Order and make its work and ideals known in whatever way they can.
As stated previously, the level of involvement is left to the person themselves to decide. The level of commitment is bound only by time and imagination, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The sisters and brothers are happy to assist where and when possible, and are pleased to be asked to be involved in projects organized by Companions.
Becoming a Companion is a very simple process. There is no fee involved and no great promises are expected - simply a desire to serve God and humanity. Once a person has decided that they would like to be a Companion, they should contact the Minister General. The address and e-mail and phone number of the Minister General is listed in several place on this website.
Contact us if you would be interested in establishing a Chapter in your area if you do not presently have one.
Please contact the Minister General of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross for more information using our contact us page on this website.
Our Minister General
The Minister General for the Franciscans of the Holy Cross, is The Most reverend + Jack Isbell, OFC. He is also the Presiding Bishop of the International Ecumenical Catholic Church and a Life professed member of The Franciscan Order of the Holy Cross.
Brother Jack also serves as vicar of Sts. Francis and Clare International Ecumenical Catholic Church, located in Nu'uanu (Honolulu) Hawai'i. Please Call the Friary at (808) 531-5288 for directions to the location of the Sunday Masses and for parking instructions..
He was appointed Minister General, for his lifetime, as the founder and Servant Leader of The Order of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross. This title was confirmed by a majority e-mail vote of those in Life Vows on June 6, 2013.
You may email him using our contact us page on this website, or contact him at the Friary: (808) 531-5288
Our Minister General The Most Reverend Br +Jack Isbell OFC
We currently have within our order 17 members in various stages of their professed life, we also have with us 8 members of the companions of St. Francis (CSF) below is a gallery of some of them.