Our vow of poverty calls us, in an age of unbridled materialism and consumerism, to focus on putting not things, but people and the needs of others, especially the poor, before all else as we go on through ourconsecrated life. The vow of poverty impacts not only those material things we may use in our lives but also any attachment that might result from such use, all for the sake of the kingdom.

All the baptized are called to the virtue of chastity, that is, an appropriate expression of our gift of sexuality according to our state in life: whether married, single, or religious life and Holy Orders. Our vow of consecrated chastity as Franciscan Friars directs our energy and focus on the Lord and the people of God we are called to serve. Rather than forming exclusive relationships in our consecrated life we open ourselves to be instruments of God's love to all.

Our vow of obedience is rooted in our desire and call to do not our will, but God's will. Whether a Franciscan priest or brother, we place our lives at the service of something greater than ourselves in dedicating ourconsecrated life to proclamation of the Good News of Jesus. In living out our vow of obedience we humbly assent to the fact that no one person has all the answers, and we listen to the collective wisdom of others and our conscience, in discerning God's will for us.