Whilst most Franciscans follow the First Order, Second Order, or Third Order Rule, the Little Brothers follow a lesser known Rule of Life (also composed by St Francis of Assisi) for hermitages (friars living the solitary life, alone, or in small groups).[2]
Although not entirely self-sufficient, the Brothers have built their own buildings of stone and timber. They have a substantial vegetable garden and orchard and also breed sheep, goats, chickens and rabbits.[4] They publish a newsletter twice a year - the Bush Telegraph.[5]