the European Province, and under the authority of the European Minister Provincial. Second Order (OSC) Third Order (TSSF) The Third Order, Society of St. Francis (TSSF), was founded in 1936. It consists of individual men and women, lay and ordained, married and single, who have taken vows and are followers of a version of the Franciscan rule but do not live together in community or wear habits. As many secular Franciscans have family and work responsibilities, they do not live a life of literal poverty as Francis chose it for himself and his friars minor. TSSF is divided into five provinces: Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the Americas. Companions (CompSSF) The Companions of the Society of St Francis (CompSSF) are individual men and women, lay and ordained, married and single, who wish to follow the spirituality of Francis of Assisi together with the Sisters and Brothers of the Society but without taking formal vows. Instead they undertake to pray for the Sisters and Brothers of the Society and support their work through giving alms. Companions of the Society of St Francis are encouraged to pray and read the Bible each day, to aim at simplicity of life, and to help those in need. In some areas, CompSSF regularly meet for fellowship, prayer and mutual support. Meetings are not obligatory but are valuable in the exchange of ideas and thoughts of those following the same Christian commitment and service. In the European Province, CompSSF are currently led from Alnmouth Friary in Northumberland. See also Community of St. Francis Franciscan orders in the Anglican Communion Franciscan orders in Lutheranism Little Brothers of Francis Footnotes External links First Order (Society of Saint Francis, SSF) WorldWide links to Anglican Franciscans European Province – Brothers (SSF) and Sisters (CSF) Province of the Americas – Brothers Australian Province New Zealand Province Brazilian Friary – Comunidade do Brasil, in Portuguese (Brazilian) A Life in Order: the memoirs of Brother Francis SSF 2003 autobiography with photographs First Order (Community of Saint Francis, CSF) Province of the Americas – Sisters Second Order (Community of Saint Clare, OSC) European Province Third Order (TSSF) European Province Province of the Americas African Province Province of Australia, Papua New Guinea and East Asia New Zealand Province Records of the Society (1920–2005) at Lambeth Palace Library Companions (CompSSF) European Province Province of the Americas Christian organizations established in 1905 Anglican religious orders established