The Diocese benefits from the life and witness of three religious orders.
The Order of St. Anne is an Episcopal religious community of women based in Arlington. The sisters of St. Anne live their lives according to the Benedictine rules of peace, prayer and work.
The Society of St. John the Evangelist is an Episcopal religious community of men in Cambridge that lives under traditional monastic vows. The society is the oldest men’s religious order in the Anglican Communion.
The Society of St. Margaret is an Episcopal women's religious community seeking the presence of Jesus in a common life and in ministries that concentrate on responding to the needs of the time.
The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory is a Christian community of the Episcopal Church whose members follow a common rule and serve the church on parochial, diocesan, and national levels. Brothers live individually, in small groups, or with their families and support themselves and the community through their secular or church-related work.
St. John's House
200 Warren Street
Fall River, MA 02721-2730
508-675-4149
E-Mail: vocations [at] gregorians [dot] org
Br. Virgilio Fortuna, BSG, Minister Provincial, Province 1
virgiliofortuna [at] gregorians [dot] org
In 1205, Francis of Assisi was called by God to rebuild the Church. Early in his ministry, Francis recognized the need to include people from all walks of life within his movement of reform and renewal. The work of following Christ in humility, love and joy, which is the vocation of all Christians, could not be restricted to the traditional life of the friars and sisters.
Today, there are estimated to be over a half-million Franciscans worldwide in the various denominations of the Christian family. Anglican Franciscans include First Order Brothers and Sisters, who live a celibate life in their respective communities, and the Third Order. The Third Order consists of men and women, single or in committed relationships, who, though following ordinary professions, are called to a dedicated life of service to our Lord through prayer, study, and work. Like the First Order, members of the Third Order make a lifetime commitment to live a Rule of Life in company with the sisters and brothers in their order.