Interested in learning more about St Francis?

Young Franciscans is a community for people aged 18–35 exploring together how the events and writings of Francis’ and Clare’s lives connect with, and support, our lives as young people in the 21st Century. We meet each Tuesday at 8pm on Zoom for an hour. Within a framework of prayer, we look at a text from the life or writings of St Francis and St Clare, explore it together, and pray for one another. Every four weeks, a member of our Order will join us, and help us explore a theme in greater depth together.  We ask our members to be with us each week, or once a month at least.
This community is for everyone! whether you’re a regular churchgoer or are just beginning to explore the world of faith, all are very welcome.

If you…
•are aged 18–35,
•want to learn more about Francis, his life and his teaching,
•would like to belong to a community of prayer and support,

…then Young Franciscans is for you.

Want to be involved? If so, fill in the enquiry form here, and send it to: young.franciscans@tssf.org.uk.

Further information:

Structure

Silence
Each week, we begin with three minutes of silence, to settle ourselves and to deepen our awareness of God’s presence in our midst.
Introduction
We introduce ourselves briefly to the group: a chance for us to get to know one another, and where we are on our journey.
Opening Prayer
We begin and end our sessions with prayer, to frame our time together within the love of God.
Reading and Discussion
We listen to readings from Francis or Clare, explore them together, and discuss what they mean to us. The discussion is structured so all may contribute if they wish, or simply listen as they feel comfortable. Once a month, a member of our Order will join our meeting to explore with us our week’s readings.
Prayer for each other
As a community of prayer, friendship and support, we draw our meetings to a close with a time in which each person talks about their life and asks for prayer, as and if they feel comfortable. After each person finishes, we reflect and pray in silence for them and, if moved, say a short prayer for them.
Final Prayer
We conclude our meetings with a final prayer, and say together Francis’ blessing for Brother Leo.
The Blessing for Brother Leo
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you his peace.
My brothers and sisters, the Lord bless you. Amen.

Themes
Our meetings follow a twelve-week cycle of themes, with a member of our Order helping to lead our discussion every four weeks or so.
Week 1: Francis and ecology
Week 2: Holy Poverty
Week 3: Franciscans as Peacemakers
Week 4: Franciscan Prayer
Week 5: Holy Obedience
Week 6: Franciscan Joy
Week 7: Francis on Love
Week 8: ‘Francis, go and build my church’
Week 9: Holy Simplicity
Week 10: The poor and marginalised
Week 11: Francis on spreading the gospel message
Week 12: Franciscan humility