Poverty is a fundamental part of the Franciscan identity, and to live without anything of one’s own was a primary, if not the only, way that Francis chose to follow the poor and humble Christ. Poverty allowed Francis to bring himself into a true and open relationship with everyone he encountered, and it should allow us to do the same as followers of Francis and disciples of Christ. This choice of voluntary poverty can be a message of hope to the poor that God is with them in their sufferings and truly cares for them, and it makes us available to do what we can to relieve that suffering.  

In everyday life, the vow of poverty means that a friar will live as simply as possible, not being overly attached to anything, and being dependent upon God and upon one’s community for one’s needs. Individual friars do not have any bank accounts or own any property. Any income they earn from their ministries is given to their community so that all the members of the community can take care of one another.

Since all of the needs of the friar are taken care of by the community, before a man enters the order, he commits to not using any assets he already has. However, the new friar does not get rid of his assets right away. He still retains ownership of them, and only when he is about to take solemn vows does he dispose of them.