Recently as I was researching Marian apparitions on the internet for our local Fraternity’s On-going Formation, I was astonished to discover that Our Mother Mary had appeared in the Green Bay area of Wisconsin in 1859 to a young girl who established a group of Third Order Franciscan Sisters. What follows is a compilation of the information that I found. Resources are listed at the end.
Since the first day of creation to the present, the work of God is to bring light out of darkness.
In his writings and throughout his life, St. Francis exemplifies that true faith must be expressed through concrete actions. That first kiss, to the leper, and then to and from the Christ of the cross of San Damiano, revealed humility, love, peace, and service to others. Francis stressed the commitment to “observe (putting words to actions) the holy Gospel” as our rule and life.
“Lord, give me this water, that I may never thirst.”
As Secular Franciscans, we are called not only to profess our faith but to exemplify it in our daily lives. Our Rule reminds us that our vocation is rooted in Baptism and strengthened at Profession, where the Holy Spirit empowers us to proclaim Christ by both word and example. This integration of faith and action is demonstrated through the fruits of the Spirit, our commitment to the Rule, and our personal witness.
On the night of my Profession, I realized how blessed I was to have had excellent formators, true witnesses of our faith and the Order. They taught me well because I knew that I would forever be more intimately united with the Church and her mission because of my Profession.
We’ve been to the mountain. We’ve returned to the earth. We are walking toward Jerusalem.
Among the many treasures of our Franciscan heritage, few words echo more deeply than the closing line of the Peace Prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “It is in giving that we receive.” These words are not merely poetic; they are a spiritual truth lived out in the quiet generosity of countless souls who embody Gospel love. Today, we reflect on one such soul: Christine Gmeiner ...
All members of Franciscan religious orders and the faithful can obtain plenary indulgences for visiting any conventional Franciscan church or place. of worship anywhere in the world dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. A searchable list of sites operated by Franciscan friars is available as well as other resources that can be used to learn more about St. Francis. See the special Jubilee page.
In the midst of temptation we often feel we are being pulled along too quickly. We do not have enough time to think it through, to consult, to see all the implications. Speed and pressure are features of the temptation.