The Prelude to the General Rule of the OEF says, in part: "We shall strive to be living witnesses among all nations to the great truth that in Christ "there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and freemen, between men and women" (Galatians 3:28); that there are no barriers of race or nations in God's family. There is only the All-loving Creator, the Divine Redeemer, the one fellowship in the All-Wonderful Comforter."

That principle of "no barriers" suggests a oneness which we do not yet see in Creation. We believe that the Church in general, and this Order in particular, are called to bear witness to the unity of God's family, beginning within the household of the Church and reaching out across to people of all faiths.

Unfortunately, the fractured relationship of the world is reflected in the many divisions in the Church -- and even within the Franciscan family. Of all places, this should be one where we can make a difference! Our mission statementrefers to "lives of mutual care and accountability in harmony with the faith and practice of the whole Franciscan family." It is, therefore, our intent to seek out and model such mutual care and accountability with other Franciscans.

To that end, we are engaged in onging dialogue with other Franciscan orders. Joining with the Roman Catholic Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) and the Anglican Third Order of the Society of St. Francis (TSSF), the OEF is a founding member of the Joint Committee on Franciscan Unity -- a historic first step towards reconciliation and new unity with all of our Franciscan brothers and sisters. The Joint Committee has sponsored a conference on Franciscan unity, inviting representatives of the three members orders, as well as providing liturgical resources for use when Franciscans gather. From the work of the Joint Committee comes this prayer for Franciscan unity:

O gracious and loving Creator,
having brought us into the Body of Christ and
called us to follow Francis and Clare,
let your Holy Spirit inspire all in the Franciscan Family
to be of one heart and mind in love with you and one another.
Grant, we pray, that our common charism and vocation
shared by Franciscan orders from every tradition
may help build up the Body of Christ
and heal the Franciscan Family,
through Jesus Christ or Lord.
Amen.