The General Constitutions of the Ordo Franciscanus Secularis (or Secular Franciscan Order) is a document that expands and explains how Secular Franciscans might live out the Rule of the OFS in their daily lives. It is organized into chapters corresponding to the chapters of the Rule. Chapter One (Articles 1-7) addresses the Secular Franciscan Order. Chapter Two (Articles 8-27) discusses the Forms of Life and Apostolic Activity. Chapter Three (Articles 28- 103 ) focuses on Participation in the Life of the Fraternity, including the organization of Fraternities at local, regional, national and international levels, Franciscan Youth, and Spiritual Assistance.
The following is an excerpt from a letter written by CIOFS General Minister,Tibor Kauser:
“ … The Rule, the General Constitutions and the Ritual are the official and vital documents of our Secular Franciscan Order. They are not simple readings or juridical regulations but guiding principles for us to live our vocation. It is important that not only the content but their structure be as accurate as possible. This objective has inspired the previous Presidency of the CIOFS to launch the project of the revision of the translation of these official documents of the OFS and the current Presidency endeavored to continue and complete this work…
This is not a revision of the content of the documents themselves. It has to do only with the translation from the original version. The original version of the Rule and of the Ritual are in Latin. The original version of the General Constitutions is in Italian. ... So now, with this letter, dated on December 8th, 2020, the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary, 20 years after the approval of the General Constitutions, I am glad to send you the revised translation of the official documents. I invite all of you to love, study and live these documents. Use them as an instrument to live your vocation, strengthen the fraternal life and improve the formation …”
Below is the revised version of the General Constitutions:
“ … The Rule, the General Constitutions and the Ritual are the official and vital documents of our Secular Franciscan Order. They are not simple readings or juridical regulations but guiding principles for us to live our vocation. It is important that not only the content but their structure be as accurate as possible. This objective has inspired the previous Presidency of the CIOFS to launch the project of the revision of the translation of these official documents of the OFS and the current Presidency endeavored to continue and complete this work…
This is not a revision of the content of the documents themselves. It has to do only with the translation from the original version. The original version of the Rule and of the Ritual are in Latin. The original version of the General Constitutions is in Italian. ... So now, with this letter, dated on December 8th, 2020, the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary, 20 years after the approval of the General Constitutions, I am glad to send you the revised translation of the official documents. I invite all of you to love, study and live these documents. Use them as an instrument to live your vocation, strengthen the fraternal life and improve the formation …”
Below is the revised version of the General Constitutions:
Download General Constitutions