What’s The Difference?

In many years of ministry, I have heard people comment that Franciscan priests are different from diocesan priests. Yet, when I’ve asked them what makes us different the usual response is, “I don’t really know – you’re just different.”

I have come to believe that the difference or distinction can be found in the Franciscan charism of fraternity. Francis once wrote, “And the Lord gave me brothers.” In the early days of the Order\ there were very few clerics among the brothers. It was only as time went by that some of the friars received Francis’ permission to train as priests. But, for Francis the focus remained on forming a community of friars – both religious brothers and priests – who lived and ministered together.

Without denying the paternal nature of priesthood, this lived experience of community highlights the fraternal nature of all our ministries. Francis emphasized that all the friars are called to be companions to all on the road to salvation and we are to invite the People of God to be co-ministers with us.

To be an authentic son of Francis, the friar priest finds that his identity is clearest when it is seen through the lens of fraternity. To be a brother to his brothers is essential to understanding his role and effectiveness as a minister of the Gospel. This understanding is essential for the ministry of our religious brothers as well!

It is the religious brothers of our community who witness to the friar priests about Francis’ unwavering fraternal vision of life and ministry. It is their witness that reminds us that we, friar priests, exercise a ministry that is different (not better or worse) from secular priests. To be a Franciscan priest complements and is not in competition with diocesan priesthood. Not unlike priesthood in the Benedictine or Jesuit tradition, our Franciscan priesthood is
just one more unique expression of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.