The Christmas message of joy, hope, service, and the onset of our celebration of Franciscan centenaries are expressed in CIOFS General Minister Tibor Kauser’s Christmas letter.
“Do not think about Christmas as a cozy feast but let us make it a feast of being children of God,” Tibor said.
The Franciscan life is about service to God and others, and Christmas reminds us of that. “Let’s discover the Jesus in the other who deserves our worship, asks for our helpful service, awaits our presence and attention,” he said.
Christmas also brings us closer to celebrating two important centenaries in 2023—the 800th anniversary of the Rule and St. Francis’s introduction of the creche in Greccio.
“I invite all of you to live these celebrations not only by remembering some significant moments in the life of Saint Francis, but look at these events as great possibilities to renew our faith, to renew the way we live our rich Franciscan charism,” Tibor said.
Tibor also acknowledged the heartache of personal and global challenges this year and conveyed his love for his brothers and sisters in the order.
He invited Secular Franciscans to gather in November 2024 at the Chapter of Mats in Rome, Italy.
Read the full text of Tibor Kauser’s 2022 Christmas Letter to Secular Franciscans.
2022 EN Christmas letter English
2022 Christmas letter Spanish
Perhaps this initiative at the local fraternity level demonstrates the work of the Holy Spirit – the Bend, Oregon, USA fraternity did not know of the 2023-26 theme when prompted by the Holy Spirit. Thank You to Knights of Columbus Council 1872 for this and past nativity scenes set up at the 27th Street entrance. Note the picture, text, and links on page 4 in the Christmas Day 12-25-2022 Church Bulletin: (provided upon request). TEXT – “Did you know? St. Francis of Assisi is known for making the first life-like Nativity Scene in a cave in Greccio, Italy, around the year 1223, with clergy and townspeople attending. Through the years, many churches throughout the world set up such Nativity / Manger Scenes, and all owe it to St. Francis of Assisi, who wanted to share the love of the Babe of Bethlehem. SUPPORTING LINKS: https://www.goodcatholic.com/inventor-of-the-nativity-scene-st-francis-of-assisi/
EWTN Video on St. Francis and his Nativity Scene in Greccio Italy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeQ1ib0-7qE