In early December 2025, one of the daily gospel readings was from Matthew 7:24-25 “…like a wise man who built his house on rock…it did not collapse because it had been built solidly on rock.”. Article 4 of our Rule, placed at the beginning of Chapter 2, The Way of Life, is, to me, that rock, that foundation of what it means to live our Rule.
Sirach offers a plan of family behavior good for any generation. Good behavior is grounded on honor, respect, prayer, reverence, obedience, care, kindness and consideration of others. These are virtues meant to establish a loving, united household of peace and joy.
The election marked the conclusion of a five-day meeting that gathered the elected NEC officers, committee chairs, ministers of the 30 regional fraternities or their delegates, the CNSA – the four national spiritual assistants who represent the Franciscan friars: OFM, OFM Conventual, OFM Capuchin, and Third Order Regular (TOR), and observers. The new national priority developed by a task force is “Living the Gospel.” This priority emphasizes build-ing relationships, inspiring others to seek God, forming ourselves in the Franciscan way of life, attracting vocations, and working to rebuild the Church.
Joseph the carpenter is at work here, trying to build a response of love in a world of law.
Jane DeRose-Bamman, minister of the Secular Franciscan Order-USA, began her State of the Order at the National Chapter on Sept. 10, 2025, with words of inspiration taken from a 2018 letter by Tibor Kauser, minister general: “Our goal is to become holy, to show God’s love to the world, to make the life of others better, to get closer to God and to bring others closer to God.”
Emphasizing justice, unity, and solidarity, a Call to Franciscan Accompaniment invites fraternities to assess community needs, support immigration reform, and accompany those who are suffering with visible, compassionate service.
We know God is with us by the signs: healing, openness, conversion, freedom, the outcast and the forgotten are welcomed home, people dead in despair and misery are given life, and the good news is preached to the poor of the world.
The National Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States met September 9 - 14, 2025, at the Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville, Maryland. Over the course of five days, the regional ministers, national leaders, and spiritual assistants, elected a new National Executive Council, adopted a budget, and prayerfully conducted the business of fraternity.
This is the time to purify and simplify, to come back to what is essential. To re-think where we have been, to re-think where we are going.
"When Jane asked if it was ok if she put her name on the ballot, I said that I was open and that I am not going to say no, because I do not want to have a conversation with Jesus as to why I didn't let Jane run for national minister." Brian Bamman