The Franciscan Breakdown

Many of you have asked about the Capuchin religious order that I am joining in September and if it is actually Franciscan. The answer is YES and very much so! The Franciscan family is a very large and diverse group. Praised be Jesus Christ for that! The basic breakdown within the Catholic Church is into three orders:

First Order: Male, broken down into 3 groups: 

1) OFM
2) Capuchins (OFMCap)
3) Conventuals (OFMConv)

Second Order: Female, consisting of various groups of Poor Clare Nuns

Third Order: Both male and female.  
There are 2  breakdowns here:

1) Third Order Regular
2) Third Order Secular (Secular Franciscan Order)

Further breakdowns are made into provinces, which are sometimes geographical and sometimes not. Along with this there can be vice-provinces and custodies. There can also be groups outside this structure such as various pious associations, secular institutes and non-canonical groups. There are also some meta-organizations built around Franciscans in a certain country or working in a particular kind of ministry.  There are even some Franciscan groups outside the Catholic Church, like the various groups of Anglican Franciscans.

By far the most diverse part of the Franciscan Family is the Third Order Regular groups. The largest male group is the TOR’s, but there are also other smaller male groups. The female groups are very numerous and widespread, and each is an order unto itself.

(Taken from The Franciscan Institute Library; St. Bonaventure University)

Each one of these orders and groups makes up St. Francis' Family tree and each have their own beautiful and intriguing origins and stories. All worth reading about and studying! I hope this helps to give a basic understanding!  PAX ET BONUM (Peace and All Good)!