As Felician-Franciscans, followers of St. Francis, we aim to be gospel centered. We strive to live out the original spirit, which makes the gospel alive and fresh for us today as it was for St. Francis.

We find that this can be done most effectively by living the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. This way of life when lived faithfully, witnesses to all people the need to enflesh Christ in our time.

Francis based his poverty on the fact that everything he was and had was a pure gift of God's love. This belief basically merges into living out the poverty of spirit, which embodies the qualities of simplicity, humility, and service to others. Felicians strive to possess no other power or strength but that of the Word of God.

Material things can fail in two ways. When they are so abundant, they constitute wealth; when there is so little - degrading poverty results. By professing the vow of poverty, we view things in their proper perspective. We value material things only to the extent they are needed to help others. We are also content with the necessities of our own living.

The vow of poverty plunges us into the struggle to live in the spirit of dependency upon God, who alone gives us existence, accompanies us on the way, and waits for us at the end of life.

When Francis decided to answer God's call, he found no better way than that of chastity, since that was the choice Jesus Himself made. Chastity is neither better or worse than marriage. It is, basically, another way of answering the call of building God's Kingdom.

Francis with his followers lived in community, sharing a common life. As in the day of Francis, so we, Felician Sisters, today continue to live in community.

The call to live the consecrated life is one that is structured and lived in a way where God is the center of our lives. It is a life that impels us to dedicate ourselves to God for the spiritual renewal of the world.

The vow of chastity enables us to witness to God's generous love for all humanity. This enhances the quality of relationships with God and His people by being available and ready to serve others. It frees us and calls us to a way of celibate, loving relationships. It also calls us to be there with others and for others in a oneness of heart - walking with the sorrowing, working for reconciliation among our brothers and sisters. Discovering the blessedness of the peace-maker is truly Franciscan.

Francis's view of obedience was modeled on Jesus the obedient Son of God. Francis sought to follow, as closely as possible, in the obedient Christ's footsteps. He did this by living the gospel in a manner that was typical at that time.

Felicians pattern our vow of obedience on the gospel, which is a series of signposts that show the way of recognizing the will of God in our lives. We are called to live the gospel in community. When uncertainties arise, the discernment process and consultation are used to validate our judgement.

Some form of authority is necessary in community living. It must preserve the gospel traits. Whatever power authority possesses, it is derived from the gospel - the power to serve.

The word obedience means "to listen." The vow of obedience impels us to listen to the voice of the Spirit and follow that call with faith and trust.