Franciscans of Divine Providence

United States of America

TRINITARIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH F.D.P. Official Web Site Copyright © 1995 F.D.P., 2008 T.C.C. All Rights Reserved. No part of the electronic, intellectual or proprietary content of this web site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the written or expressed permission of the Presiding Bishop of the T.C.C. For permission to use copyrighted materials contact us by e-mail. [Franciscans of Divine Providence] 1995-2008 This Site Was Last Updated on 8/21//08		*Who we are . . .* The Franciscans of Divine Providence is an open and affirming, Independent Catholic family of Laity and Clergy who have joined together to form a Religious Order with an ecumenical, Franciscan charism. We are a canonical Religious Order to the TRINITARIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Our Church is an Autocephalous, Independent Catholic Jurisdiction under the Episcopal protection of our Presiding Bishop who has valid Apostolic Succession through both the Latin and Orthodox Rites of the Church. We are not in union with nor are we under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. We are believers in Jesus Christ who live according to the Apostolic, Catholic tradition, in the manner of St. Francis and Saint Clare. We respect and participate in the life of the Universal Church which, beginning with the ministry of the first Apostles called by Jesus Christ, continues through to our time. We respect and revere all Catholic Rites and traditions. We have the utmost respect for the Bishop of Rome as a successor to Peter and as the spiritual leader and pontiff of the Roman Church. We regard the Roman Church and the roots of Her tradition with deep respect. We have the highest respect and regard for the Orthodox Church and for the Eastern and Western Rites of the Apostolic, Catholic tradition who have proceeded from Her. We are an Autocephalous, Independent Catholic Jurisdiction, under the Episcopal authority of a valid, Independent Catholic Bishop. We are not in union with, nor are we under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church. *(Click here for info related to our Apostolic lineage)* We wish to make it quite clear that we are not schismatic Catholics, nor are we, as some put it, "Protestants who left the Church". For many of us, the doors of the traditional, mainline Church have been closed to us. We have decided, with God's help, to gather the lost and alienated "stones" which the builders rejected in order to repair and perhaps even to rebuild God's House. As baptized Catholics we proclaim our birth right as true Catholics to practice our faith according to the Gospels and in keeping with the accepted Creeds, Ecumenical Councils, Traditions and teachings of the Apostolic, Catholic faith. We are at heart an inclusive, open and affirming, "Ecumenical, Independent Catholic experiment" in the simple practice of Gospel living in the secular world. We regard ourselves as peacemakers and bridge-builders who live and work in harmony on a common journey of faith and service. We're working to build a Franciscan family from the "stones" that others have rejected. We give equal consideration to candidates who have been previously ordained or who have had prior religious life training as well as to those who have no prior religious life experience. We are not seeking people who think they are perfect, but rather those who realize that they are imperfect, and who desire a renewal of a deeper relationship with God and humanity through a spirit-filled life of prayer, fellowship and stewardship to Jesus Christ, in the manner of St. Francis. We are members and believers in the Catholic faith and tradition who identify more closely with the Ecumenical, Independent Catholic movement in the Americas whose valid lines of Apostolic Succession proceed from the Independent Catholic churches established by the late Archbishop Carlos Duarte Costa (b. in 1888; d. in 1961) of Brazil. The Franciscan Friars of Providence, as we were first known, was founded in 1995 in the State of Rhode Island (USA). Gathered around the inspired Word and works of our Lord, Jesus Christ and following the example of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, we aspire to lead our lives in the simple manner of the Gospels. As an inclusive Order of Catholic women and men, we are now known as the The Franciscans of Divine Providence (FDP). Comprised of Priests, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Religious Sisters, our Order strives to become a model of contemporary spirituality and stewardship to the Universal Church of today. The Franciscans of Divine Providence (FDP)* is a non-residential Religious Order, which means that we do not live together in friaries, monestaries or in convents. In the Franciscan tradition, each of us are self-sufficient and self-supporting while living and working within our various communities serving in various ministries* (what we do inside the Church) and apostolates (what we do in the secular world). We are not a cloistered or monastic Order, but rather an active, Apostolic Order that engages itself in the life of the greater community as a witness to Christ's presence in the world. Our particular way of life is guided by the Gospels and by our Rule and Constitutions. We are guided by the Holy Spirit and the words and works of Jesus Christ, as revealed to us in the Gospels, and by the example, ideals and spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi. As contemporary Franciscans, our mission is to continue the work which began when Jesus spoke to our spiritual father, Saint Francis of Assisi, as he prayed before the cross which hung in the ruins of the Church of San Damiano, saying: "Repair My House, which is falling into ruin." We dedicate ourselves to continue his ministry and apostolic mission to the whole Church. We have chosen Jesus Christ, the Stone which the builders rejected, to be our cornerstone. Following the example of St. Francis, we accept the human "stones" that God offers us to repair His House. It is the expressed policy of the Franciscans of Divine Providence that we do not discriminate against qualified candidates based upon age, gender, racial, ethnic or national origin, physical challenges, marital status, sexual or affectional orientation, previous religious life experience, profession or ordination, work or professional background, socio-economic status, education, or place of residence. In every way, we strive to be an open and welcoming* Franciscan family which affirms people from all segments of society. We strive, in our own small way, to build bridges to span the obstacles which have divided Christians and people of all faiths. Our goal is work towards that day when all of God's children might put aside their pride, fears and prejudices toward one another and journey together in fellowship, harmony and peace according to the plan of our One Creator. Where has your life's journey leading you? If you've thought about becoming a Franciscan and believe that a non-residential, contemporary, "back-to-basics" Canonical Religious Order founded upon a Catholic, Ecumenical tradition, is what you want, please write and tell us about yourself. We'd like to hear from you! There are many choices available to aspirants to the religious life these days and there are real challenges, expectations and responsibilities that go along with joining any religious Order. Active life within a religious Order is not everyone's calling. It requires maturity, personal discipline and a deep sense of commitment of both your time and talents. Holy Scripture reminds us that, "Many are called, but few are chosen." We ask that you read our web site carefully and pray to God for spiritual guidance if you feel that you have a vocation to our Order. An admissions process is a standard procedure in most religious Orders. We have requirements to gain admission for those who wish to become members. We believe ours to be necessary, impartial and fair in light of the fact that most of our aspirants come to us from a variety of distant places, varied backgrounds and different levels of professional and life experience. If you feel that our Franciscan charism speaks to your heart, we invite you to apply for admission. Scripture also reminds us that, "the Harvest is great, but the laborers are few." Is God calling you to work in the harvest as member of the Franciscans of Divine Providence? In the simple tradition of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, we live and work among God's people. Not set apart from society, but rather living in it, we are employed in various ordinary labors whereby we strive to plant the seeds of Christ's presence in the secular world. In the Franciscan spirit, our mission is to continue to build bridges that lead to Peace by working for Social Justice, Equality, Diversity, Reconciliation, Civil and Human Rights and Dignity for all of God's people. Jesus Christ spoke to St. Francis of Assisi while he prayed before the cross in the church of San Damiano saying, "Repair My House, which is falling into ruin." This commission to repair and to rebuild the Church is at the heart of our mission and ministry. In our own small way, we too hope to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, in the manner of Saints Francis and Clare and those Franciscan men and women who walked in their footsteps. The members of the Franciscans of Divine Providence are inspired by the Gospel message of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Following the example of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, we aspire to live our lives in service to others in the simple manner of the Gospels for the good of all people of faith. Our Members establish a Mission presence in their respective communities in order to serve God's people and to establish the Order's presence so that we might attract new members and friends to join us on our faith journey. Our primary ministry is within the United States, which is where the majority of our members come from. We also have one member in Mexico and two in Costa Rica . We are committed to accept the challenge of building a diverse community of service and worship. Our provincial jurisdiction is presently restricted accepting new members from the United States. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead Please mail written correspondence to us at the following address: Franciscans of Divine Providence International Provincial Center Res: 967 Elms Common Drive, #212 Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067-1816 (Footnote: by experiment,* we refer to the term used by Roger Williams, the founder of the first settlement of Providence in what is now the capital of the State of Rhode Island (USA), who used the word to describe his fledgling faith community which was based upon the universal right to religious freedom)