MISSION STATEMENT

            The Tau Cross Regional Fraternity, together with other Regional Fraternities in the United States, is an organic member of the worldwide Secular Franciscan Order, following the Rule promulgated in 1978 by Pope Paul VI, the General Constitutions approved in 2000 and the National Statutes approved in 2003.  The Tau Cross Regional Fraternity is an organic union of the local fraternities canonically established in the following geographical areas of New York State: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.

             Our Franciscan family is made up of the faithful of every state in life.  Through an exemplified life of conversion we seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in our brothers and sisters, in sacred scripture, in the Church and in liturgical activity, especially the Eucharist.

             Emulating our Seraphic Father Francis, members pledge themselves "through their baptism and profession, proclaiming the good news by their life and words" (Constitutions Article 17.1) going from "Gospel to life and life to Gospel". We embrace the Virgin Mary, model of fruitful and faithful love (Constitutions Article 16.2) as she was embraced by St Francis, with indescribable love, the Protectress and Advocate of our family.

             In order that "the Kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively" (Rule 14), we seek to build community amongst fraternity members, along with the entire Franciscan family, in service to the Catholic Church and the world we live in.  Recognizing our role in the glory of God's creation, we embrace what "the Lord asks of us, and only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8) as we strive to promote simplicity of lifestyle, peace and justice for all the human family, and "respect for all creatures, animate and inanimate, which bear the imprint of the Most High" (Rule 18).

             As a Regional Fraternity, we promote and encourage the development of our member fraternities by providing for fraternal and pastoral visitations, and by providing programs for initial and ongoing formation and evangelization.  We endorse, conform and seek to implement the judgments and decisions of the National Fraternity of the SFO - USA and the commissions they recommend, and the International Fraternity.

 Tau Cross Regional Fraternity, SFO