Society of Saint Francis

Towards the end of the 1920s a number of religious groups had formed with a Franciscan spirit and to bear witness to the extreme poverty in England at the time.

[8] In 1934, Father Algy Robertson who had a clearer idea of forming a religious order, having been part of the Christa Seva Sangha in India and England, joined Brother Douglas (as he liked to be called).

[9] Together they held meetings with Father George Potter, who was vicar of the south London St Chrysostom's Church, Hill Street in Peckham.

He had spent his time, since 1923, devoting himself to the lives of ordinary people and for the betterment of impoverished boys by creating the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross.

[10] After some wrangling and discussions between the three men, the Rule and Constitution of the Society of St Francis was read in June 1936, and they agreed to remove the individual names of the brotherhoods, to form a single union.

Before long, invitations came to establish centres in other places and at the start of World War II, there were houses in south London and Cambridge.

Establishments overseas followed and the Society now has friaries in the United States, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica, and the Solomon Islands.

[5] Companions of the Society of St Francis are encouraged to pray and read the Bible each day, to aim at simplicity of life, and to help those in need.