On this page
⇒ News from the US Franciscans website
⇒ A collection of our #FriarFriday reflections
⇒ News from the OFM English-speaking Conference and our General Curia in Rome
⇒ News from the US Franciscans Facebook Page
⇒ Local US Franciscan news
News from US Franciscans
Religious Brothers Day
The second annual Religious Brothers Day is being held today, May 1, 2018, on the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. Rooting his life deeply in God, the Brother consecrates all creation, recognizing the presence of God and the Spirit’s action in creation, in cultures...
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Simply Professed Friars Renew Vows
Friars in temporary profession renewed their vows Thursday, April 12, during the evening Mass at St. Joseph Friary in Chicago.
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Franciscans March for Our Lives
A number of Franciscans joined hundreds of thousands of people at the March for Our Lives here on Saturday, March 24. Other Franciscans marched in one of the hundreds of similar marches around the world.
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Three Franciscan Friars Ordained Deacons
Three Franciscan friars were ordained as transitional deacons in Chicago on Saturday, March 10.
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St. Anthony Center Dedicated to Caring for the Homeless
The St. Anthony Center is an impressive example of collaboration: a bright, modern, safe facility where outreach services for the poor are conveniently clustered, from meals to medical care, from showers to social services.
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Merry Christmas 2017
t happened, three years prior to his death, that St. Francis of Assisi decided to celebrate at the town of Greccio the memory of the birth of the Child Jesus with the greatest possible solemnity, in order to arouse devotion. So that...
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School of Franciscan Studies Merged into Theology Department
St. Bonaventure University has merged the Department of Theology and School of Franciscan Studies.
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That They May Be One as We are One: Ite Vos and a Shared Franciscan Charism
Over 100 friars from the three branches of the Franciscan first order converged at CTU to attend “Looking to the Future Together: Beyond Ite Vos.”
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Ite Vos Conference to be Streamed
In 1217, Pope Leo X issued the bull “Ite vos,” also known as the “Bulla unionis,” which divided the Franciscan order into two separate families: the Friars Minor of the Regular Observance and the Friars Minor Conventual. On Saturday, Nov. 4, over 100 OFM, OFM...
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16 Men Begin Lives as Franciscans
On Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, 16 postulants entered the postulancy program for the Order of Friars Minor in the US, at Holy Name College at Silver Spring, Maryland.
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US Franciscans Protest DACA Rescission
We have celebrated the DACA program with “dreamers” as a modern response to the Biblical imperative to “welcome the stranger.” Now, after President Trump’s decision to end the executive action, we commit ourselves to stand in support of and solidarity with “dreamers.”
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US Franciscans Look to Future
The six US provincial ministers voted unanimously to place before their provinces a resolution requesting that the six provinces be restructured into one province.
read moreNews from US Franciscans
Religious Brothers Day
The second annual Religious Brothers Day is being held today, May 1, 2018, on the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. Rooting his life deeply in God, the Brother consecrates all creation, recognizing the presence of God and the Spirit’s action in creation, in cultures...
read more Simply Professed Friars Renew Vows
Friars in temporary profession renewed their vows Thursday, April 12, during the evening Mass at St. Joseph Friary in Chicago.
read more Franciscans March for Our Lives
A number of Franciscans joined hundreds of thousands of people at the March for Our Lives here on Saturday, March 24. Other Franciscans marched in one of the hundreds of similar marches around the world.
read more Three Franciscan Friars Ordained Deacons
Three Franciscan friars were ordained as transitional deacons in Chicago on Saturday, March 10.
read more St. Anthony Center Dedicated to Caring for the Homeless
The St. Anthony Center is an impressive example of collaboration: a bright, modern, safe facility where outreach services for the poor are conveniently clustered, from meals to medical care, from showers to social services.
read more
Recent #FriarFriday Reflections
#FriarFriday – Why I’m Voting Yes
Most of the Franciscan friars in the US will be coming together on May 30 to cast a single vote.
read more#FriarFriday – Welcoming the Stranger
As followers of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi, Franciscans have a special mandate to embrace those who are less fortunate among us.
read more#FriarFriday – Facing Racism
Well, somebody got the timing right: January 15 is designated by the OFM Franciscans of the English-speaking world as the annual Day of Prayer to End Racism. Landing on a Monday morning, I can only say, “Good timing!”
read more#FriarFriday – Refugees All
At this time of year, we hear of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt for asylum. We also remember a year filled with political rhetoric directed against refugees and migrants.
read more#FriarFriday – Challenge of the Manger
In the process, I’ve been forced to reflect on the varied ways people from around the world interpret the Christmas story.
read more#FriarFriday – You Have Us
Evil was visited upon me and almost everyone I loved fifteen years ago today.
read moreRecent #FriarFriday Reflections
#FriarFriday – Why I’m Voting Yes
Most of the Franciscan friars in the US will be coming together on May 30 to cast a single vote.
read more#FriarFriday – Welcoming the Stranger
As followers of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi, Franciscans have a special mandate to embrace those who are less fortunate among us.
read more#FriarFriday – Facing Racism
Well, somebody got the timing right: January 15 is designated by the OFM Franciscans of the English-speaking world as the annual Day of Prayer to End Racism. Landing on a Monday morning, I can only say, “Good timing!”
read more#FriarFriday – Refugees All
At this time of year, we hear of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt for asylum. We also remember a year filled with political rhetoric directed against refugees and migrants.
read more#FriarFriday – Challenge of the Manger
In the process, I’ve been forced to reflect on the varied ways people from around the world interpret the Christmas story.
read moreNews from the OFM English-speaking Conference
Merry Christmas 2017
t happened, three years prior to his death, that St. Francis of Assisi decided to celebrate at the town of Greccio the memory of the birth of the Child Jesus with the greatest possible solemnity, in order to arouse devotion. So that...
read moreConference meets with General Definitorium | Fall Newsletter
ENGLISH SPEAKING CONFERENCE | ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR Thomas S. Washburn, OFMPO Box 61128 • New Bedford, Massachusetts 02746 • exec@escofm.org ...
read moreRestructuring of Franciscan presence in Canada moves forward
10/4/2017 0 Comments COCHRANE, ALBERTA, CANADA - On September 25-27, a joint meeting of the Definitories of the Province of St. Joseph and the Province of Christ the King was held at the Mt. St. Francis Retreat Centre in Cochrane, Alberta. A wide range of issues...
read more“Let us begin” – Address of the General Minister to US friars
9/15/2017 0 Comments “In Him you are also being built together into a dwelling Place of God in the Spirit”: Revitalization and Restructuring as a Movement of Faith Bro. Michael Perry, OFM Minister General and Servant 24 August 2017 “Never measure the height of a...
read moreUS Franciscans speak out against President Trump's DACA action
9/5/2017 3 Comments FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 5, 2017 As leaders and members of the Franciscan Order in the United States, we object in strenuous terms to the decision of President Donald Trump to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This...
read moreIn the Footsteps of the Récollets – renewing a missionary charism!
9/1/2017 0 Comments By Pierre Ducharme, OFMThis summer, thirteen “able bodied” missionaries, Canadian Franciscans, made a historical, and transformative, pilgrimage along Quebec’s Saint Lawrence River from Montreal to Percé (Perce Rock) and back. Led by Fr. Guylain...
read moreUS Franciscans look to future renewal with hope
each made simple statements of why they voted as they did:Kevin Mullen, of Holy Name Province, said, “One new Province provides us with the opportunity to have a vital fraternal experience. With regard to mission, one new Province allows us to take the core values of...
read moreSix US Provinces hope to reconfigure into one new Province
8/23/2017 0 Comments WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY - The Provincial Administrations of the six U.S. Franciscan Provinces participating in the effort to reconfigure and renew Franciscan life in the United States met this week at Mount Alvernia Retreat Center in Wappingers...
read moreUS Franciscans statement on Charlottesville violence
8/17/2017 0 Comments FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 2017 As followers of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of peace, we, the Franciscans Friars of the United States join with the many public and religious leaders and fellow-citizens who have condemned the recent...
read moreFather Joe completes long journey to priesthood | Christ the King Province
By Andrew Ehrkamp | CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF EDMONTONNews EditorIt’s been a long and winding road for Rev. Joseph Glaab – who, at 56, is often years older than some of his fellow priests who have just been ordained – but his destination is the same.“It’s been a long...
read moreMerry Christmas 2017
t happened, three years prior to his death, that St. Francis of Assisi decided to celebrate at the town of Greccio the memory of the birth of the Child Jesus with the greatest possible solemnity, in order to arouse devotion. So that...
read moreConference meets with General Definitorium | Fall Newsletter
ENGLISH SPEAKING CONFERENCE | ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR Thomas S. Washburn, OFMPO Box 61128 • New Bedford, Massachusetts 02746 • exec@escofm.org ...
read moreRestructuring of Franciscan presence in Canada moves forward
10/4/2017 0 Comments COCHRANE, ALBERTA, CANADA - On September 25-27, a joint meeting of the Definitories of the Province of St. Joseph and the Province of Christ the King was held at the Mt. St. Francis Retreat Centre in Cochrane, Alberta. A wide range of issues...
read more“Let us begin” – Address of the General Minister to US friars
9/15/2017 0 Comments “In Him you are also being built together into a dwelling Place of God in the Spirit”: Revitalization and Restructuring as a Movement of Faith Bro. Michael Perry, OFM Minister General and Servant 24 August 2017 “Never measure the height of a...
read moreUS Franciscans speak out against President Trump's DACA action
9/5/2017 3 Comments FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 5, 2017 As leaders and members of the Franciscan Order in the United States, we object in strenuous terms to the decision of President Donald Trump to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This...
read moreNews from the General Curia in Rome
Communique from the General Definitory – Tempo Forte of May 2018
The May 2018 Tempo Forte began on Monday 7th, and took place at the General Curia. On the first day, each of the friars of the Definitory spoke about the activities and experiences in which they had been involved during the period since the March Tempo Forte....
read moreMessage from the International Commission for Missions and Evangelization (CIME) to the Brothers of the Order
St. Saviour Monastery, Jerusalem April 27, 2018 We Conference Secretaries for Mission and Evangelization, gathered also as pilgrims for the biennial meeting of the International Council of the Mission and Evangelization (April 23-27, 2018), wish you pax et bonum –...
read moreVenerable Francisca de las Llagas de Jesús Martí y Valls, professed nun of the second Order of St. Francis
Promulgation of Decree of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints On the 19thof May 2018, the Holy Father Francis received at the hearing the Em. Mo Card. Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During the hearing, the Supreme...
read moreVesak Day 2018
To our Buddhist brothers and sisters throughout the World, A lotus for world peace, blessings and repentance on this Day of Vesak, in commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Siddharta Gautama, Shakyamuni Buddha. On behalf of the Franciscan friars...
read morePrayer and Fasting for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land
My dear Brothers of the Order, The Lord give you peace! As you are well aware, in the past week there has been an explosion of violence in the Holy Land that has left many dead, thousands injured, and has robbed people of any sense of hope for a just end to this...
read moreMary invites us to listen, to believe, to hold fast to Jesus | Homily of the Vicar General on the Feast of Mary, Mediatrix of Graces
The title of Mediatrixis rooted in the Franciscan tradition: in fact, many of our saints have fostered devotion to Mary, Mediatrix of all graces. St. Francis of Assisi had a well-known devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it is clear from his writings that Mary,...
read moreThe Advanced School of Medieval and Franciscan Studies
The Advanced School of Medieval and Franciscan Studies is a post-graduate academic centre for those who want to deepen and advance their knowledge of medieval culture, dealing mainly with the historical period between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries. The...
read moreGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel awarded “Lamp of Peace” in Assisi
In a ceremony at the Sacro Convento, Assisi, on Saturday, May 12th, 2018, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, was awarded the St. Francis Peace Lamp. Colombian President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Juan Manuel Santos, the recipient in 2016, was also present. In her...
read moreFranciscans International, Annual Report 2017
As President of the International Board of Directors of Franciscans International, I am pleased to offer you the Annual Report for 2017. This publication presents the main activities of our organization. It highlights the breadth, depth and impact of our work, and...
read moreMessage for the Month of Ramadan 2018
To our Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the World: As-salaamu ‘alaykum! Peace be upon you! On behalf of the Special Commission for Dialogue with Islam of the Order of Friars Minor, it gives me great pleasure once again to extend our greetings to you as you begin...
read moreCommunique from the General Definitory – Tempo Forte of May 2018
The May 2018 Tempo Forte began on Monday 7th, and took place at the General Curia. On the first day, each of the friars of the Definitory spoke about the activities and experiences in which they had been involved during the period since the March Tempo Forte....
read moreMessage from the International Commission for Missions and Evangelization (CIME) to the Brothers of the Order
St. Saviour Monastery, Jerusalem April 27, 2018 We Conference Secretaries for Mission and Evangelization, gathered also as pilgrims for the biennial meeting of the International Council of the Mission and Evangelization (April 23-27, 2018), wish you pax et bonum –...
read moreVenerable Francisca de las Llagas de Jesús Martí y Valls, professed nun of the second Order of St. Francis
Promulgation of Decree of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints On the 19thof May 2018, the Holy Father Francis received at the hearing the Em. Mo Card. Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During the hearing, the Supreme...
read moreVesak Day 2018
To our Buddhist brothers and sisters throughout the World, A lotus for world peace, blessings and repentance on this Day of Vesak, in commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Siddharta Gautama, Shakyamuni Buddha. On behalf of the Franciscan friars...
read morePrayer and Fasting for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land
My dear Brothers of the Order, The Lord give you peace! As you are well aware, in the past week there has been an explosion of violence in the Holy Land that has left many dead, thousands injured, and has robbed people of any sense of hope for a just end to this...
read moreNews from our Facebook Page
Communique from the General Definitory – Tempo Forte of May 2018 - US Franciscans
usfranciscans.org
The May 2018 Tempo Forte began on Monday 7th, and took place at the General Curia. On the first day, each of the friars of the Definitory spoke about the activities and experiences in which they had b...usfranciscans.org
St. Saviour Monastery, Jerusalem April 27, 2018 We Conference Secretaries for Mission and Evangelization, gathered also as pilgrims for the biennial meeting of the International Council of the Mission...
The Spiritual Nearness of Wim Wenders’s “Pope Francis: A Man of His Word”
newyorker.com
In his film, Wenders found an aesthetic of nearness, inspired by Pope Francis’s conviction that the Church should be among the people.
On Rhodes, Franciscans face a new Colossus in refugee crisis
cruxnow.com
The Greek island of Rhodes is facing a massive refugee crisis, and the Franciscans are on the front lines of the response.Vesak Day 2018 - US Franciscans
usfranciscans.org
To our Buddhist brothers and sisters throughout the World, A lotus for world peace, blessings and repentance on this Day of Vesak, in commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Siddharta G...
usfranciscans.org
Promulgation of Decree of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints On the 19thof May 2018, the Holy Father Francis received at the hearing the Em. Mo Card. Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congre...
'Pope Francis: A Man of His Word' beautifully portrays hope and lived faith
ncronline.org
"Pope Francis: A Man of His Word," a new documentary from Oscar-nominated and award-winning director Wim Wenders, is a cinematic pulpit for Pope Francis to share his deepest spiritual and mo...
Franciscan sister's retreats help first responders deal with trauma
globalsistersreport.org
Through Operation Restore retreats, Franciscan Sr. Anne Dougherty and her retreat partners provide post-trauma training to firefighters and law enforcement officers. At their Franciscan Center in Tamp...
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He show His face to you and be merciful to you. May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace. May the Lord bless you.
Friars to Gather May 29 for Extraordinary Chapter - Holy Name Province
hnp.org
Close to 200 friars of Holy Name Province are gathering later this month for an Extraordinary Chapter to vote on whether or not Holy Name Province should join with five other U.S. provinces to form on...Prayer and Fasting for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land - US Franciscans
usfranciscans.org
My dear Brothers of the Order, The Lord give you peace! As you are well aware, in the past week there has been an explosion of violence in the Holy Land that has left many dead, thousands injured, and...
Vatican offices decry 'profoundly amoral culture' of global financial system
ncronline.org
Two Vatican offices have taken the global financial system to task, decrying in a new document the way markets primarily serve the world's wealthiest minority and stress profit to an extent that c...
Franciscans elect new leaders, including two friars who serve locally | The Record
therecordnewspaper.org
The Conventual Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Consolation at Mount St. Francis in southern Indiana elected a new “Definitory,” a group of six...News from our Facebook Page
Communique from the General Definitory – Tempo Forte of May 2018 - US Franciscans
usfranciscans.org
The May 2018 Tempo Forte began on Monday 7th, and took place at the General Curia. On the first day, each of the friars of the Definitory spoke about the activities and experiences in which they had b...usfranciscans.org
St. Saviour Monastery, Jerusalem April 27, 2018 We Conference Secretaries for Mission and Evangelization, gathered also as pilgrims for the biennial meeting of the International Council of the Mission...The Spiritual Nearness of Wim Wenders’s “Pope Francis: A Man of His Word”
newyorker.com
In his film, Wenders found an aesthetic of nearness, inspired by Pope Francis’s conviction that the Church should be among the people.On Rhodes, Franciscans face a new Colossus in refugee crisis
cruxnow.com
The Greek island of Rhodes is facing a massive refugee crisis, and the Franciscans are on the front lines of the response.Vesak Day 2018 - US Franciscans
usfranciscans.org
To our Buddhist brothers and sisters throughout the World, A lotus for world peace, blessings and repentance on this Day of Vesak, in commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Siddharta G...Local US Franciscan News
cathstan.org
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington broke ground on their greenhouse restoration project May 7, marking the beginning of a project to make t![This Sunday’s First and Second Reading are built around the concept of the “children of God.” Catholic Social Teaching proclaims that Human Dignity is the cornerstone for how we are to live out our Baptism.Is is Human Dignity for all? Or do we slip into: ‘Nope, no human dignity for that person’ or ‘I know which groups of people are okay to judge.’Scripture makes it clear that each and every person is made in the image and likeness of God. This radical claim is the source of our belief in the inherent and inviolable dignity of the human person.Being made in God’s image, we are all God’s children. This is true no matter where we are born and no matter what our economic or social status.Because it comes from God, human dignity is not something that we can bestow or take away from another person. It is intrinsic to our existence. What we can do is enter into relationships that respect our mutual human dignity.Too often we fail to do this. Too often we de-humanize our brothers and sisters or shut our ears when they cry out. Failure to recognize the human dignity of each and every person opens the door to all manner of violence and injustice. But how can we truly make human dignity the cornerstone of our relationships?This question is especially pertinent when we reflect on our relationships with people we may never meet; people who suffer in the far corners of the world and whose names we do not know. Although we may never meet, we still share the same planet and its gifts. These gifts are not simply for our own personal use but are entrusted to us by God for the flourishing of our human family. We are increasingly aware that our actions in one part of the world can affect people who live far away from us. We are interconnected. We are in relationship with all seven billion of God’s children.[Adapted from Human Dignity: The Cornerstone of Catholic Social Teaching Luke Stocking and John Gabor, In Canada Programs, British Columbia]](http://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/32266801_629380154093493_5420446880163168256_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=b80b5398520a623b4b2f331a1127be15&oe=5B7EE171)
Congratulations Brothers John and Adolfo, keeping you in prayer !
Congratulations to all.
Congratulations to both brothers
Congratulations to both Brothers
Congratulations !
Congrats
Congratulations John! 🎉🎉🎉
Congratulations!
Congrats!
Addressing Safe Travels in the Holy Land
holylandpilgrimages.org
Have concerns about the safety of traveling to the Holy Land? Fear no more! This handy map and the wisdom of Fr. David Wathen, OFM, Director of the Franciscan Monastery Pilgrimage Office in Washington...
Congratulations to all on the tenth anniversary of your ordination to the Priesthood. And especially Fr. Gonzalo, our pastor at St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, NJ.
Congratulations, one and all!!!
Thank you Father Gonzalo for becoming a priest on your ordination.
Congratulations and God bless
God bless all of you.
Congratulations.
God bless you all
Congratulations!!!
St. Francis Inn Receives Peace Award - Holy Name Province
hnp.org
PHILADELPHIA — Each year, St Rita’s Shrine, a well-known shrine on South Broad Street in Philadelphia staffed by the Augustinians, honors a person or an organization that makes a significant contr...
Local US Franciscan News
cathstan.org
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington broke ground on their greenhouse restoration project May 7, marking the beginning of a project to make t
Congratulations Brothers John and Adolfo, keeping you in prayer !
Congratulations to all.
Congratulations to both brothers
Congratulations to both Brothers
Congratulations !
Congrats
Congratulations John! 🎉🎉🎉
Congratulations!
Congrats!
Addressing Safe Travels in the Holy Land
holylandpilgrimages.org
Have concerns about the safety of traveling to the Holy Land? Fear no more! This handy map and the wisdom of Fr. David Wathen, OFM, Director of the Franciscan Monastery Pilgrimage Office in Washington...
Congratulations to all on the tenth anniversary of your ordination to the Priesthood. And especially Fr. Gonzalo, our pastor at St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, NJ.
Congratulations, one and all!!!
Thank you Father Gonzalo for becoming a priest on your ordination.
Congratulations and God bless
God bless all of you.
Congratulations.
God bless you all
Congratulations!!!
