About Us
"www.dmfofs2.com" formerly the website of Fred Schaeffer, OFS and Divine Mercy Fraternity, is now being used as a Franciscan website for Spiritual Reflections, under the name of "broFredsReflections". The reflections were always on this website. Fred Schaeffer OFS, began writing Spiritual Reflections 26+ years ago. He is a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order (31+ years), now with Our Lady of the Angels Fraternity. We prefer not to change the site URL at this time.
We invite you to read my reflections. They are written to bring you closer to Jesus Christ. I am a Roman Catholic, and a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, an Order for lay people.
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
July 3, 2025
What is the Secular Franciscan Order?
Secular Franciscans, as the name implies, live their lives in the world rather than in religious communities. They may be single or married, women or men, in all walks of life. They live the Gospel in a Franciscan manner according to their own Rule which they profess after a period of initial formation. Profession as a Secular Franciscan is a lifelong commitment. Formation and profession of the Secular Franciscan takes place within a local community called a fraternity. Life in fraternity is an essential aspect of the Secular Franciscan vocation. The fraternity is a community of love, the privileged place for the sisters and brothers to develop their sense of Church and the Franciscan call. Although a self-governing Order, each Secular Franciscan fraternity receives guidance in spiritual matters from a spiritual assistant, usually a friar from one of the other Franciscan Orders. These relationships are particularly strong between Secular Franciscans and the Franciscan friars with whom they share common roots in the Franciscan penitential tradition.