The Secular Franciscan Order is the lay branch of the worldwide Franciscan Family - a spiritual family that was raised up in the Church through St Francis of Assisi nearly eight hundred years ago. The Order is comprised of local fraternities and works through them. As Secular Franciscans, we try to journey through life guided by the Rule of the Order which states: The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan is this: to observe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi who made Christ the inspiration and the centre of his life with God and people. We live and work in society according to our calling. No matter what that calling is, we try, as St Francis did, to live all aspects of our life in accord with the spirit of the Gospel. In this way, by our example, we proclaim the primacy of Christ to the world. Local fraternity members meet monthly to pray and to develop their Franciscan vocation together. They read Scripture, study the life and writings of St Francis and discuss their apostolic works. Local fraternities meet in Perth at Maylands and Balcatta.