 Canonically designated as a Private Association of the Faithful, the community was spiritually affiliated to the Province of the Immaculate Conception of the Order of Friars Minor.Striving to be poor in spirit, they worked to serve the needs of the homeless primarily through prayer and presence.They followed a contemplative life based on the Rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, also influenced by the "Rule for Hermitages" written by St. Francis of Assisi.