"From the depths of their inner life
let them love, honor, adore, serve,
praise, bless and glorify
our most high and eternal God
who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit ".

(RegTOR, 9)

Since the Trinity is the source of our mission for peace,
We, the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis
Are called to incarnate the Gospel "of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Through whom all things in heaven and earth
Have been brought to peace and reconciliation".

(RegTOR, 12)

In the Spirit of our Third Order Regular Rule
We are called to continuous conversion,
contemplation, poverty and humility.

(RegTOR, 2)

• We seek to integrate our spirituality, mission and "fraternitas" so as to more fully express the Trinitarian community of love.
• Troubled by structural injustices, we risk courageously to believe, to dream and to act.
• Contemplation of the union and harmony of the Trinity urges us to more fully realize communion, inclusion and mutuality.

“ In greetings others, let them say, "God give you peace!" ”

(RegTOR, 20)

Assisi,
June 2005
 
 

<Recommendations and Decisions>

1. Hold Congresses for young Franciscans on the continents so that we can all more fully live this evangelical conversion of life in a spirit of
   contemplation, of poverty and humility (TOR).
2. Collaborate with Franciscans International to build right relationships.
   FI is the common project of the Franciscan Family, which focuses us
   together on:
   
   
   1. concern for the poor
   2. peace making
   3. care of creation
      
   
   
3. Pursue collaboration on the translation and publication of TOR sources.
4. Promote communion among all Franciscans, different Christian
   denominations, people of all faiths and all creation.
5. Increase communication with all IFC‑TOR members through collaboration with Franciscans Federation in our various countries.
6. Become a mutual, viable presence within the Conference of the Franciscan
   Family.
7. Organize Itinerant Schools t to give assistance in formation wherever needed.
8. Prepare for Jubilee celebrations by renewed interpretation of our TOR
   Rule and life
   (e.g.
   
   - 2007: 25th anniversary of our TOR Rule and Life,
   and the 800th anniversary of the birth of St. Elizabeth, the patroness of the Third Order;
   
   ‑ 2009: 800th anniversary of the approval of the First Rule of St. Francis by Pope Innocent III;
   
   etc.).

 
  General Assembly in 2001

We are Franciscan Sisters and Brothers, representing over 200 congregations of the IFC-TOR family from around the world, gathered in Assisi, our birthplace, for our 5th General Assembly, to reflect on Incarnation as experienced in our lives today. Our reflection has been enriched by presentations, prayer, and our interaction with each other. All this has deepened our desire to strengthen our relationship with God, with creation, and with all our sisters and brothers throughout the world.

We believe that openness to new ways is essential for Franciscan life today, because we are faced with new challenges which call for new responses. Human beings have done harm to creation. Therefore, we feel called to promote respect for all life and to re-establish cosmic harmony.

We carry in our hearts the desire expressed in the words of Saint Francis "My God, my God, Who are You?" We also desire to know where God can be found today. Today like Francis, we long to discover God who is Love. Francis encountered God on the streets, in creation, in the embrace of the leper, and the encounter with the Sultan. Like Francis' pilgrimage, ours also must be to the hearts of others. We go forth with a fundamental attitude of respect and reverence. Even if we cannot proclaim Christ in words, we can witness Christ by our lives of compassion and love. In this way, we invite others to listen to God in their own hearts. The virtues of humility, mercy and service to others are found not only in our own Christian tradition but also in other religious traditions.

In this world full of suffering and beauty, we commit ourselves:

• to contemplate and live the mystery of Incarnation-Passion-Eucharist in a way that gives hope and nurtures life;
• to a life in openness to dialogue and communion;
• to join with the whole Franciscan Family in global service, strengthening Franciscans International as a common Instrument of Peace.

“ May the Peace of Christ continue to disturb all of us ! ”

Assisi
May 2001
 
 

<Recommendations and Decisions>

1. To strengthen and continue the Itinerant School.
2. To foster greater communion and collaboration between the IFC-TOR Council with the national Franciscan federations/associations specifically through the Secretariat .
3. To find a way to build up contact with those Congregations in areas where the language is not one of the official languages of the IFC-TOR.
4. To support and promote the Inter-Franciscan project of FI.
5. To create and promote communion and collaboration with the Anglican Franciscans and Franciscans of other Christian traditions.
6. To explore possibilities of electronic communication (web site, etc.).
7. To compile a list of persons, materials and Resource Centers for the study of:
   • Franciscan spirituality in the TOR Rule,
   • Theology and Philosophy.
8. To promote, strengthen and deepen interreligious awareness and dialogue.
9. To seek new forms of Franciscan life in community for the 21st century.
10. The decision regarding membership feeis is delegated to the IFC-TOR Council and the Treasurer within the term of 2001-2005. This decision and rationale will be communicated to the member congregations. Accommodation will continue to be made for those who wish to be members but who find the fees too expensive or prohibitive.
11. Regarding the next General Assembly, the following are recommended :
• To find ways of including the concerns of the young sisters and brothers.
• To consider as a possible theme, our contemporary understanding of the Trinity and its significance for us.
• To keep Assisi as the venue.