That is a very easy question. First, the Franciscan tunic doesn’t have to be brown. While brown is the most common colour for Franciscan habits today, various Franciscan communities wear different colours. Grey: Historically, early Franciscans in England. Black or Light Grey (Conventual Franciscans): The Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.) Black: Adopted by many Conventuals during the French Revolution. Light Grey: Commonly worn by Conventual friars in East Africa, Grey-Blue: The Franciscans of the Immaculate (FI). Franciscan sisters, particularly in orders such as the Franciscans of the Immaculate, often wear gray-blue habits, while some other Franciscan communities may wear gray or white. (Source for Franciscan habit colours: Google AI), Also, you can look for Casey Cole’s YouTube Video on the matter: “Breaking In The Habit ‘Why Are There So Many Different Franciscans?'”

Second: For me or us, you can refer to two pages, Franciscan Life and The Blue Mantle page for the story. On the Franciscan Life page, it is noted that within Eric Michel Ministries International, the Franciscan vocation is expressed through three complementary Third Orders: two Franciscans and a Benedictine. Unfortunately, the Benedictine lost its prior, and the group was embryonic, so for the moment, it is on pause.

The TOFI wear a white tunic with a blue scapular and a blue mantle, a liturgical garment that covers only the shoulders and back, ties at the front, and bears an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the left side.

In the picture, the mantle is replaced by a chasuble for the celebration of Mass.

Have a Blessed week!

Peace and All Good