 This occurred, according to tradition, on 16 April 1210, and constituted the official founding of the Franciscan Order.The group, then the "Lesser Brothers" ("Order of Friars Minor" also known as the "Franciscan Order" or the "Seraphic Order"), were centered in the Porziuncola and preached first in Umbria, before expanding throughout Italy.Francis chose never to be ordained a priest, although he was later ordained a deacon.