Our charism

Franciscan

Francis and Clare were both passionately committed to a radical Gospel life which attracted many followers in their time and continues to attract many today.

Statue of Our Lady at the chapel at LadywellStatue of Our Lady at the chapel at LadywellFrancis is characterised by a life of radical simplicity and gospel joy; witnessing to God’s love for all people and all creation by loving and reverencing each and every person he met from lepers to Sultans and Popes to the ordinary townspeople. He showed similar reverence for all of creation calling them ‘sister’ and ‘brother’… “All praise to You, My God for Sister Water and Brother Fire” (Canticle of Creation).

St Clare – the first Franciscan Woman calls us by her contemplative stance and strong sense of servant leadership invites us today to live in that same spirit, attentive to the Spirit of God within each one.

Missionaries

In faith and through our vow of obedience we are ready to go wherever we are sent throughout the world. We recognise that in sharing whatever gifts we may have we receive, in return, so much more from the people to whom we are missioned. We are one in our mission though our ministries are diverse. ‘Divine Motherhood’ Ladywell Convent Chapel

of the Divine Motherhood

Our charism encourages us to seek to imitate Mary in her unique role as Mother of God – to conceive, give birth to, and nurture the life of Christ – which is a life of love – in our hearts, our communities and in our world today.