True faith deepens our relationship with God and attunes our actions with his will. It is a form of surrender to the divine. It is a theological virtue through which we accept as true all that God has revealed to us through Scripture and the Church. As the apostle John wrote, let us not love only with words, but with action and in truth. (1 John 3:18).
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.
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.
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 ...
In this issue, the final five of the 30 regions highlighted - Lady Poverty Region, St. Maximillian Kolbe Region, Bl. Solanus Casey Region, Franciscans of the Prairie Region, Our Lady of Indiana Region.
Why should you attend the Q? This National gathering, by its very name, Quinquennial Congress, refers to the fact that it happens only every 5 years. Ask anyone who has attended a Q in the past, and they will tell you that it was an amazing experience and an awesome opportunity to “rekindle the flame of their vocation” as we come together with members of our National fraternity family.
As part of their National Chapter, on Friday, September 12th, members of the Secular Franciscan Order set aside time for a half-day pilgrimage to St. Anthony Shrine in Ellicott City, MD. The site has long stood as a place of prayer, reflection, and Franciscan witness. Operated by the Conventual Franciscan Friars, the shrine rests on 236 wooded acres, offering both spiritual and natural beauty.
I shared this story ["The Song of the Bird"] at the NAFRA Chapter this year, congratulating us all in our determination to become experts in the challenge to reach out to our younger generations. Many regions have attended the Core Four training sessions - or used the on-line presentations to learn the why and how of this task.
Our JPIC Award recipient for 2025 is Carolyn Townes, OFS. Carolyn has had a long and impactful history as the National JPIC Animator for over ten years, and currently serves on the boards of several Franciscan organizations. What follows is a brief interview with Carolyn:
From daily Mass to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, prayer was an essential element at the 2025 National Chapter at the Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville, Maryland, and was led by several friars, three of whom are members of the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants (CNSA).