CIOFS

17th OFS General Chapter Rome, November 7-17, 2024

“You are love” was the theme of the 17th General Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order held in Rome in November of 2024 during the 8th Centenary of the Stigmata. This idea was expanded upon by fellow Franciscans with explanations that God loved us first. Our Franciscan way of life begins with love. Love of God, love of self, and love of neighbors and our families. Testimonies and examples were shared. Our level of concern was elevated for struggling fraternities and for marginalized people throughout the world.

Carolyn Seal2025-04-29T13:12:16-04:00May 5th, 2025|Categories: CIOFS, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Triduum of St. Francis of Assisi

Begin observing the feast of St. Francis of Assisi today with Triduum prayers just released by CIOFS. Day 1 begins with this encouragement from St. Francis, "In that love which is God, I entreat all my friars, ministries and subjects, to put away every attachment, all care and solicitude, and serve, love, honour, and adore our Lord and God with a pure heart and mind; this is what He seeks above all else."

Sharon Winzeler2024-10-01T10:31:55-04:00October 1st, 2024|Categories: CIOFS, Uncategorized|0 Comments

St. Francis, transformed by God, influencer of many

God transformed Francis, keeping many things in his style (that were a part of his character), and not destroying his personality. This is the miracle — how God can transform a person by changing things in life and turning (things that are) bitter into sweetness.

Sharon Winzeler2024-02-08T16:25:45-05:00February 8th, 2024|Categories: Centenaries 2023-2026, CIOFS|0 Comments

CIOFS Presidency at work

Tuesday’s meeting began with Minister General Tibor Kauser giving a formation talk on servant leadership. Leadership is tied to community; that is, a leader needs a team to move ahead with a project or strive for a goal. So, he said, a leader helps form and protect community, and helps members grow in their OFS vocation. ...

Carolyn Seal2023-08-02T16:21:19-04:00August 7th, 2023|Categories: CIOFS, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Christmas Message from General Minister Tibor Kauser, OFS

The messages of joy, hope, service, and the onset of our celebration of Franciscan centenaries are expressed in CIOFS General Minister Tibor Kauser’s Christmas letter. “Do not think about Christmas as a cozy feast but let us make it a feast of being children of God,” Tibor said.

Sharon Winzeler2022-12-21T22:47:03-05:00December 21st, 2022|Categories: CIOFS|1 Comment

Minister General Tibor Kauser Calls on Franciscans to Honor the Gifts of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and Always

"Let us ask for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit focusing now on fraternal life, on our vocation, and on our identity." Tibor Kauser, CIOFS Minister General

Sharon Winzeler2022-06-11T09:01:40-04:00June 4th, 2022|Categories: CIOFS, Prayer and Spirituality|1 Comment

2021-2022 Annual Reports Available Online

Do you want to know how many canonically established Franciscan fraternities are in the United States? Or are you curious about the number of permanently professed members? Or do you want to know how many local spiritual assistants are in the Order?

Sharon Winzeler2022-05-10T12:54:12-04:00May 10th, 2022|Categories: CIOFS, National Chapter, News from the NEC|2 Comments

General Minister encourages Franciscans to continue life of love, service and leadership, following the example of Jesus Christ

What I invite you all now is to remember that the ultimate victory can never be won by evil. Christ has won the ultimate victory on the cross. This is what we celebrate, and in spite of every difficulty, misery, poverty and marginalization, illness and weakness, Easter is a feast of joy, the feast of the glory of God.

Sharon Winzeler2022-05-10T13:44:54-04:00April 16th, 2022|Categories: CIOFS|1 Comment

Pope and Franciscan World Leaders Appeal for Prayers and Fasting on Ash Wednesday in Solidarity with Our Ukranian Brothers and Sisters

Pope Francis and Franciscan world leaders are calling for prayers and fasting for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday.

Sharon Winzeler2022-03-04T14:26:12-05:00February 28th, 2022|Categories: CIOFS, News from the NEC, Ukraine|1 Comment

Franciscans called to pray for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday

General Minister Tibor Kauser, OFS, is echoing Pope Francis's call for prayers for peace in Ukraine. "I invite you dear brothers and sisters, to strengthen our unity with each other, with the whole Franciscan family and with the Catholic Church by joining the prayer of Pope Francis for peace on Ash Wednesday," he said.

Sharon Winzeler2022-05-10T17:02:23-04:00February 26th, 2022|Categories: CIOFS, Ukraine|5 Comments