The National Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States met September 9 - 14, 2025, at the Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville, Maryland. Over the course of five days, the regional ministers, national leaders, and spiritual assistants, elected a new National Executive Council, adopted a budget, and prayerfully conducted the business of fraternity.
We have heard the question, “Why a new Ritual?”, and it deserves an answer. The 1985 Ritual is out of print and has been for several years. We are often asked “Where do I get a copy of the Ritual?” Used copies found online were very expensive and the online version from CIOFS is not as comprehensive as the 1985 Ritual book. ...
Never send gift card info or money in response to a “request from Jane” or another leader in the Order.
I have some good news to share with you. The new TAU-USA newsletter team has produced its first digital-only newsletter (Issue 111). The theme for Issue 111 is very fitting for this time of year - "Renewal." The full newsletter is available in English and Spanish. Selected articles have been translated into Korean.
The appointments for National Commissions Chairs or Committees Chairs or individual positions typically are made until one year after a scheduled NEC election. The appointment terms are set in such a manner, so a new council won’t have to appoint new commission or committee chairs immediately after being elected. ...
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?
Pope Francis and Franciscan world leaders are calling for prayers and fasting for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday.
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall Issue #104)
2021 NAFRA Chapter and National Elections
The 2021 NAFRA Chapter will be held virtually October 26-31, 2021. Given the decision to hold the Chapter virtually, the National Elections needed to be rescheduled. The National […]
The OFS-USA National Fraternity Council has agreed that we need to meet virtually for the 2021 NAFRA Chapter, scheduled for October 26-31, 2021. Given the decision to hold the Chapter virtually, National Elections needed to be rescheduled.
"These documents are the ones that the International Fraternity intends to use as a basis of our work during the next three years. Therefore, it is very important, that each and every sister and brother…has the opportunity to study them."