Main Stream: Franciscans

To live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, emphasizing: Fraternal life and COMMUNITY LIVING, often in larger friaries and convents; Preaching, pastoral care, and missionary work; Service to the poor, marginalized, and needy, along with dedication to prayer, the sacraments, and devotion to Mary. Conventual Franciscans are known for combining active ministry with communal stability, sometimes serving in parishes, schools, and missions.

After St. Francis’s death (1226), the Friars Minor spread rapidly into cities and universities. To support preaching, study, and pastoral ministry, many friars began living in large convents (conventus) and accepted stable houses and communal use of goods, though still personally poor. This practical adaptation gradually distinguished them from friars who wanted a stricter, itinerant poverty.
The tension between strict poverty and moderate communal life led POPE LEO X to intervene. In 1517, through the bull ITE VOS, he officially divided the Franciscan Order into two juridical bodies: Order of Friars Minor (Observants) – stricter poverty and Friars Minor Conventual – communal convent life, emphasis on study and ministry. From this moment, the Conventual Franciscans became an autonomous order, no longer subordinate to the Observants.
The Conventuals retained the foundational Franciscan title “Order of Friars Minor”, but with the qualifying term “Conventual” to express their distinct form of life.
Thus, their official designation became: Order of Friars Minor Conventual (Ordo Fratrum Minorum Conventualium) abbreviated as OFM Conv.
Over the following centuries, especially after: the Capuchins (1528) became a separate order, and the OFM union of 1897, the title OFM Conv. became firmly established in Church law and usage to clearly distinguish them from: OFM (Observants, unified in 1897) and OFM Cap. (Capuchins)

Regional Address: St. Maximilian M. Kolbe Friary, P.O. Box 78274, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, General Vocation Contact – International: ✉️ vocations@ofmconv.net — Email for inquiries about joining the OFM Conventuals.