21st Q Meet the Keynote Speakers
21st Q 29 July-02 August, Lexington, KY Keynote Speakers are Bro. Bill Short, OFM, Darlene Pryds, PhD, and Fr. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv.
Regional Roundup
In TAU-USA issue #113, five of the 30 Regions are highlighted. La Verna region, Our Lady of the Angels Region, Tau Cross Region, Our Lady of Guadalupe – Empress of the Americas Region, Santa Maria de las Montanas Region (Saint Mary of the Mountains Region)
The Stigmata Narrated from the Early Legends
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2024 Issue #113)
Assembled by Bret Thoman, OFS
Major Life, Bonaventure (1240)
He certainly wanted to conform in everything to Christ crucified, who poor and suffering and naked remained hanging on the cross.
Legend of the […]
Servant Leadership in YouFra
One charism that defines the spirituality of a Secular Franciscan is that of servant leadership. Our spirituality is based on journeying together as a community of love – a fraternity. To be a leader is to guide and animate the fraternity with hope and joy; to assume responsibility and hold authority, but not power; and to have a collegial relationship with those we serve, always inviting others to share their gifts, talents, and ideas. ...
Why a new Ritual? From the National Executive Council
We have heard the question, “Why a new Ritual?”, and it deserves an answer. The 1985 Ritual is out of print and has been for several years. We are often asked “Where do I get a copy of the Ritual?” Used copies found online were very expensive and the online version from CIOFS is not as comprehensive as the 1985 Ritual book. ...
Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Award, 2024
Our JPIC Award recipient for 2024 is Michele Dunne, OFS. Michele is minister of the Mount Saint Sepulchre Fraternity in the Margaret of Cortona Region. Since 2021, she has served as executive director of the Franciscan Action Network. What follows is a brief interview with Michele:
Chapter Day Away – St. Vincent de Paul Facility of Phoenix
“When you serve and engage, you find meaning in your life. This helps you fill a hole in your life that only God can fill,” said Susan Junker, senior development officer for the St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) in Phoenix, Arizona. ... In a concerted effort to address poverty and promote dignity, the Phoenix Diocese operates comprehensive programs that reflect the shared values that Franciscans will recognize. Under the auspices of the SVdP, 380 staff members and 16,000 volunteers run the operation that focuses on spirituality, community and service.
Homilies at Chapter 2024
Fr. Marek’s homily at the opening Mass on the Feast of the Stigmata emphasized that true discipleship requires us to listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He reflected on the suffering of the stigmata or suffering as a transformative experience—"the kiss of Jesus"—that can lead to profound change if we invite God into our darkest moments.
St. Francis, Servant Leadership, and the Stigmata
Francis’ stigmata were the culmination of many sufferings with Christ over his lifetime. Many of those sufferings came from life with his brothers, as indeed it does for all of us. It is important for us to recognize that the problems we face today in living in fraternity are very similar to the problems that Francis and his brothers faced. Human nature has not changed!
We Are Called to Serve One Another
Serving is a prominent characteristic of Franciscan leadership philosophy. St. Francis sees himself as a servant to God and those in his community. When we look at the intentions and promises we make at the Rite of Admission and the Rite of Profession, two special, grace filled times, we see the word service.