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).
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).
This year marks the eighth centenary of St. Francis’ beloved Canticle of the Creatures, a hymn of praise that has inspired generations to see all of creation as a reflection of God’s goodness. ... Eight hundred years later, St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures continues to remind us of the intimate bond we share with all creation. It calls us to see every element of the natural world as a brother or sister - gifts given by the Creator, meant for our care, reverence, 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.
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.”
"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
In this issue, five of the 30 regions are highlighted - St. Margaret of Cortona Region, St. Clare Region, Divine Mercy Region, Ohana ‘O Ke Anuenue Region, and St. Francis Region.