(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2026 Issue #119)
Every five years, Secular Franciscans from across the United States gather for something truly extraordinary: our Quinquennial Congress, a national family reunion rooted in prayer, fraternity, and the joy of our shared vocation. This year, we will celebrate the 21st Quinquennial Congress (Q2026) at the Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington, Kentucky, from July 29 to August 2. This gathering comes at a particularly grace-filled moment, as the global Franciscan family continues to celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Francis and the 800th anniversaries that mark the final years of his earthly life.
The Quinquennial is more than a conference. It is a living expression of Article 6 of our Rule, which calls us to “go forth as witnesses and instruments of the Church’s mission among all people.” For four days, we step away from our local routines and immerse ourselves in the wider Franciscan family – renewing our identity, strengthening our fraternities, and rediscovering the joy of our call.
The Q offers a rich and thoughtfully crafted program. The draft schedule, available on the OFS-USA website, highlights a balance of formation, prayer, celebration, and community-building. Participants will hear from nationally recognized keynote speakers, each bringing a unique perspective on living the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis today. Prayer anchors the entire gathering.
Your presence at the Q matters! The Quinquennial is a moment of encounter – encounter with Christ, with one another, and with the broader mission of the Order. When Secular Franciscans gather, something powerful happens. We remember who we are. We remember that our vocation is not lived in isolation but in fraternity, in communion, and in shared mission.
What can you expect the Q to offer:
- Renewal of vocation through prayer, liturgy,
and shared reflection
- Deepened fraternity as we meet brothers and
sisters from every region
- Fresh inspiration from speakers, work-shops,
and creative offerings
- A national perspective on the life and mission
of the OFS in the United States
- A joyful celebration of our Franciscan identity
during the Jubilee Year
For many, the Quinquennial becomes a milestone in their Franciscan journey – a moment when the call becomes clearer, the joy becomes deeper, and the sense of belonging becomes unmistakable.
“Let Us Begin Again…” As Secular Franciscans, we are always invited to begin again – to renew our commitment to the Gospel life and to one another. Q2026 is a privileged moment to do just that. Whether you are newly professed or have walked this path for decades, your presence enriches our entire national fraternity.
Let us gather in Lexington with open hearts, ready to be renewed in the spirit of St. Francis. Let us celebrate our vocation, strengthen
our bonds, and go forth renewed for mission.
Mark your calendar. Pray for the Congress. And plan to join our Franciscan family for the Q2026 to celebrate the Easter of Francis.
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