At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022-2025 will be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. For several weeks, Formation Friday has been exploring each of these priorities. Relationships in the Secular Franciscan Order: Part 2 Relationships in Fraternity Prepared by Francine Gikow, OFS, Member, National Formation Commission…

At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022–2025 will be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. For several weeks, Formation Friday has been exploring each of these priorities. Relationships: Part 1 Prepared by Francine Gikow, OFS, Member, National Formation Commission Relationships in the Secular Franciscan Order: Part 1…

Communications Part 2: Social Media (en español abajo) March 3, 2023 Please share with your local fraternity The OFS USA National Priorities for 2022 to 2025 are, “Vocations, Communications and Relationships.“ Thank you to Layna Maher, OFS, Chair, National Formation Commission for preparing this piece. #OFS, #Francis, #Justice, #Peace, #Love This Formation Friday looks at…

We have interrupted our series on the National Priorities for some Lenten inspiration. We hope the resources below will help everyone to focus on penance and conversion, so important in the life of a Secular Franciscan.   Thank you to the National Formation Commission for collaborating on this piece.   The Conversion Process: Ongoing and…

  Since Lent is about to begin, we interrupt our series on the National Priorities for some Lenten inspiration. We hope the resources below will help everyone to focus on penance and conversion, which is so important in the life of a Secular Franciscan.   Secular Franciscans are called to Conversion OFS Rule: Chapter 2:…

At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022-2025 will be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. For the next several weeks, Formation Friday will explore each of the priorities. Communications: Part 1 Prepared by Layna Maher, OFS, Chair, National Formation Commission This week Formation Friday is taking a…

Vocations, Communications, Relationships: How do we strengthen and maintain our vocation? (Part 3) At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022-2025 will be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. For the next several weeks, Formation Friday will take a look at each of the priorities. For those of…

Vocations, Communications, Relationships: How do we recognize a vocation and call it forth? (Part 2) At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022-2025 will be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. For the next several weeks, Formation Friday will take a look at each of the priorities. There…

  Vocations, Communications, Relationships: What is Vocation? (Part 1) At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022-2025 will be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. For the next several weeks, Formation Friday will take a look at each of the priorities. Before we can discover and attract vocations,…

Careful Reading of the Gospel Prepared by Justin Carisio, OFS, member, National Formation Commission Secular Franciscan life is grounded in the gospel. This is underscored at Profession when the minister gives the newly professed a copy of the Holy Gospels as a symbolic reminder that profession is a lifelong commitment to “go from gospel to…

Examen 2022-23 [Continued from December 30, 2022] Please share with your local fraternity   Past and present Formation Fridays can be found here: https://www.dmf-ofs.org/ A Litany and Examination of Conscience based on the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order   Thank you to Judith W. Tyrrell, OFS, for giving us permission to use her work…

A Litany and Examination of Conscience based on the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order Thank you to Judith W. Tyrrell, OFS, for giving us permission to use her work St. Margaret of Cortona Region Response: Lord, have mercy. 1. For all the ways I have brought division to my family, my community, my parish,…

Thank you to Anne Mulqueen, OFS, Spiritual Assistant to the National Formation Commission   It is said that Christmas is a time for children, but I say Christmas is a time for all who have not lost the wonder, joy and delight in celebrating the gift of the birth of a baby, human and divine,…

During Advent, we wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that he walked on this earth. We know that he is always with us in the Eucharist. But now, we wait for Him to come again. For three weeks we will focus on the prayer that St. Francis prayed as he…

During Advent we wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that he walked on this earth. We know that he is always with us in the Eucharist. But now, we wait for Him to come again.   For three weeks we will focus on the prayer that St. Francis prayed as…

Please share with your local fraternity (All three parts together will work well for fraternity ongoing formation at any time of year.) Advent—Waiting and Conversion (Part 1) During Advent we wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that he walked on this earth. We know that he is always with us…

The OFS USA National Theme for 2022 to 2025 is, “Listen, Discern, Go forth.” We were inspired by a lecture given by Fr. Thomas Nairn who paraphrased Pope John XXIII. Hear his talk in English here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG6t90WrmIA&t=605s Formation Friday is taking a look at each of these words from our perspective as Catholics and Secular…

The OFS USA National Theme for 2022 to 2025 is, “Listen, Discern, Go forth.“   For our second installment, “Discern,” we have invited Anne Mulqueen, OFS, Spiritual Assistant to the National Formation Commission, to reflect on Discernment. Thank you, Anne!   Discernment Seeking God’s Guidance   The purpose of spiritual discernment is that … you…

The OFS USA National Theme for 2022 to 2025 is, “Listen, Discern, Go forth.” We were inspired by a lecture given by Fr. Thomas Nairn who paraphrased Pope John XXIII. Hear his talk in English here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG6t90WrmIA&t=605s For the next three weeks, Formation Friday will look at each of these words from our perspective as…

https://franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/152-fa-ed-1-page-136 [XXIII: Humility] 1Blessed is the servant who has been found as humble among his subjects as he was among his masters. 2Blessed is the servant who always remains under the rod of correction. 3Faithful and prudent is the servant Mt 24:45 who does not delay in punishing himself for all his offenses, inwardly through…