Within the vast, international--and ecumenical-- Franciscan family, there are three major groups or "orders.”  Within the Roman Catholic community,  they are generally organized into the Friars Minor (First Order), the Poor Ladies or Poor Clares ( Second Order), and the Brothers & Sisters of Penance (Third Order Secular: OFS / Third Order Regular: TOR, OSF, etc.)

For more information on each of these orders, please click on the links below:

• Friars Minor (First Order)
• Poor Ladies or Poor Clares ( Second Order)
• Brothers & Sisters of Penance (Third Order Secular: OFS / Third Order Regular: TOR, OSF, etc.)