Quinquennial Registration Open
Registration is open for the Quinquennial scheduled for July 29-Aug. 2, 2026, in Lexington, KY. Keynote speakers are Br. Bill Short, OFM; Darleen Pryds, Phd; and Fr. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv.
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
The casting of fire releases the Spirit, purifying, empowering, animating and enlightening life to love God and love our neighbor.
Family Apostolate – JPIC for Secular Franciscans
A JPIC apostolate for Secular Franciscans, essential and unique to our order, is our ministry to our families. ... Our families are not just biological or relational connections. In Lumen Gentium, Family is described as “the domestic church” (LG, 11) because we share common beliefs, purpose, and life, in a family. “…[It] has been a treasure for the Church….
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
The present is open to the future, step by step, and one day it will become the present. The overarching theme in today’s Scripture invites us--all of us--to be faithful and watchful, active, confident and hopeful.
Ministry to My Family. What Does It Look Like?
Remember the King in scripture who invited many guests to a wedding banquet for his son, but they would not come? (Matt: 22) The guests were “too busy, had to take care of business, or were away on a trip.” Remember all the excuses? Sound familiar? This occurs in families even now.
Carolyn Townes, OFS, JPIC Award Recipient
Carolyn Townes, OFS, is the 2025 recipient of the Secular Franciscan Order’s Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation award.
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
The rich man’s fault was not that he was greedy or selfish, but that he was blind, not seeing the poor and the struggling, not giving life to those who have none, not giving them a new future.
Sister Mother Earth – Canticle of Creatures Reflections Part 1
Francis never praises God’s works of creation; rather, he praises God the Creator per, or through, his works. When Francis looked at creation, he saw the Creator. Thomas of Celano emphasized this point: “In art he praises the Artist; whatever he discovers in creatures he guides to the Creator. He rejoices in all the works of the Lord's hands, and through their delightful display he gazes on their life-giving reason and cause.” (Second Life, Chapter 124, 165).
Reflections on 46 Years in the Secular Franciscan Order
On August 9, 1979, nine members of St. Francis Fraternity in Hackensack, NJ, took a significant step in their spiritual journey by being professed into the Secular Franciscan Order. My great blessing is that I was one of them. As I reflect on these 46 remarkable years, I want to share a few things I have learned along the way.
Reflexiones sobre 46 años en la Orden Franciscana Seglar
El 9 de agosto de 1979, nueve miembros de la Fraternidad de San Francisco en Hackensack, Nueva Jersey, dieron un paso significativo en su camino espiritual al profesar en la Orden Franciscana Seglar. Mi gran bendición es que yo fui una de ellos. Al reflexionar sobre estos 46 años extraordinarios, quiero compartir algunas cosas que he aprendido a lo largo del camino.