(en español abajo) Korean translation attached in separate PDF.
Please share with your local fraternityMary Protectress of the Order
To begin the month of May, we turn our eyes to the Blessed Mother who was so important to St. Francis. Our Rule and Constitutions guide us.
Rule: Article 9: “The Virgin Mary, humble servant of the Lord, was open to his every word and call. She was embraced by Francis with indescribable love and declared the protectress and advocate of his family.
The Secular Franciscans should express their ardent love for her by imitating her complete self-giving and by praying earnestly and confidently“
Mary’s self-giving and prayer are set up as the primary example of gospel living. Devotion to her has always been a hallmark of the Franciscan calling, both as a way of expressing love for her and as an important way of finding Jesus himself. (Commentary on the Rule—white booklet)
OFS Constitutions: Article 16.1, .2: Mary, Mother of Jesus, is the model of listening to the Word and of faithfulness to vocations. We, like Francis, seek all the gospel virtues realized in her.
The brothers and sisters should cultivate intense love for the most holy virgin, imitation, prayer, and filial abandonment. They should manifest their own devotion with expressions of genuine faith, in forms accepted by the Church.
Mary is the model of fruitful and faithful love for the entire ecclesial community. Secular Franciscans and their fraternities should seek to live the experience of Francis, who made the Virgin the guide of his activity. With her, like the disciples at Pentecost, they should welcome the Spirit to create a community of love.
Questions for Sharing and Discussion
- What qualities of Mary are attractive to you?
- What is Mary’s role in our lives and in the life of the Church?
- What is the goal of devotion to Mary? How do you discern whether your devotion to Mary supports your Franciscan life?
- What example does Mary set for us as Secular Franciscans?
Formación 2 de mayo, 2025 (Por favor compartir con su fraternidad local.)
María Protectora de la Orden `
Para comenzar el mes de mayo, dirigimos nuestros ojos a la Santísima Virgen que fue tan importante para San Francisco. Nuestra Regla y nuestras Constituciones nos guían.
Regla, Artículo 9: “La Virgen María, humilde sierva del Señor, siempre atenta a su palabra y a todas sus mociones, fue para San Francisco centro de indecible amor, y por él declarada Protectora y Abogada de su familia.
Los Franciscanos seglares den testimonio de su ardiente amor hacia Ella, por la imitación de su disponibilidad incondicional, y en la efusión de una confiada y consciente oración.”
En primer lugar, la auto entrega y la oración de María se establecen como el principal ejemplo de vivir el Evangelio. La devoción a ella siempre ha sido un sello distintivo de la vocación franciscana, tanto una forma de expresar amor por ella como una forma importante de encontrar a Jesús mismo. (Comentario sobre la Regla: folleto blanco)
Constituciones Generales de la OFS: Artículo 16.1, .2: María, Madre de Jesús, es el modelo para escuchar la Palabra y ser fieles a la vocación: en Ella, como Francisco, vemos realizadas todas las virtudes evangélicas.
Los hermanos cultiven el amor intenso a la Santísima Virgen, la imitación, la oración y la entrega filial. Manifiesten la propia devoción con expresiones de fe genuina en las formas aceptadas por la Iglesia.
María es modelo de amor fecundo y fiel para toda la comunidad eclesial. Los franciscanos seglares y las Fraternidades busquen vivir la experiencia de Francisco, que hizo de la Virgen guía de su vida y de su obra; con Ella, como los discípulos en Pentecostés, acojan el Espíritu para realizarse en comunidad de amor.
Para compartir y discutir
- ¿Qué cualidades de María son atractivas para usted?
- ¿Cuál es el papel de María en nuestras vidas y en la vida de la Iglesia?
- ¿Cuál es el objetivo de la devoción a María? ¿Cómo discernir si su devoción a María apoya su vida franciscana?
- ¿Qué ejemplo nos da María como franciscanos seglares?
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
We are Pilgrims on a Journey
By Mary Frances Charsky, OFS
International Councilor, OFS-USA
Listen Audio: 3:28 min.
Mary Francis Charsky, International Councilor
For the past month the hymn, Companions on a Journey, has been running through my mind and heart. The lines of this hymn by Carry Landry keep repeating. “We are companions on a journey, breaking bread and sharing life, and the love we bear is the love we share, for we believe in the love of our God, we believe in the love of our God.” These words ring true for us as Franciscans.
This week as we remember Pope Francis, may he rest in peace, let us also realize that this year is the Jubilee Year of Hope proclaimed by Pope Francis. My wish for us is to be companions and pilgrims on the journey. Let us embrace this year in solidarity and fraternity and be united with all people throughout the world. A holy year is a special time of renewal, forgiveness and spiritual reflection. Hope sustains us. Why? Because Jesus is with us always until the end of time. Hope sustains us in our lives even when the road ahead seems winding and exhausting. Hope gives us courage in our efforts to build a fraternal, evangelical and peaceful world. This is what Pope Francis believed and stated in his homily of 9-5-2024 when he announced the Holy Year. “Spes non confundit,” hope does not disappoint, Rom 5:5. We need to be singers of hope in a culture that sometimes is marked by much despair. Pope Francis believed in this hope and so do I.
In Pope Francis’s encyclical Fratelli Tutti on fraternity and social friendship, he expressed the need to be together as brothers and sisters in a human family. We are neighbors for all. We need to be pilgrims sowing seeds of beauty and kindness wherever we find ourselves. We want to sing of hope and humanity; we wish to reawaken our hearts with joy and courage to embrace life, creation and all its goodness. We need to bring hope to those who are sick or suffering in body and spirit. We hope to comfort, help, love and give peace to others. Are you ready in this jubilee year, to be pilgrims of hope with our brothers and sisters in our fraternities, in our nation and throughout the world? Let us bear the load when necessary. You are loved so let us share this love and hope with all!
Let us be pilgrims on the journey together, fellow travelers on the road helping each other, walking together and being singers of hope. Imagine us walking with Jesus and St. Francis on our journey.
Helping Young People Find Hope
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2025 Issue #114)
By Kathleen Molaro, OFS
I’m writing this article in the wake of another school shooting, this time in Wisconsin. On the morning after, I heard one young woman outside of Mass say to her mom, “I thought we were supposed to ‘Do what’s right and just.’” Her mom simply put an arm around her shoulders and continued walking to their car. I didn’t hear her response, but said a quick prayer that the mother would know what words would comfort her daughter and give her hope.
Young people in our midst have experienced difficult events during their lives: scandals in the Church, a global pandemic, financial struggles, acts of racism and violence, not only abroad but in our own neighborhoods. Depression and anxiety are prevalent even in our youngest children. We are called by our Franciscan Rule to bring “joy and hope to others.” (Art. 19) So the question is how do we accomplish this goal?
In the very beginning of the newly published book by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, called Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults, the bishops explain, “the purpose of the framework we offer to the Church is to empower the entire Catholic community to be conduits of the Holy Spirit in sharing the Gospel with all young people to transform the world by Jesus’ love.” A quote by Servant of God, Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA, is included: “It takes a whole Church to raise a child.”
Parents can’t be the only ones concerned about the mental, spiritual, and physical health of their children, adolescents, and young adults. How can we help? What is our responsibility as Secular Franciscans in this important work? Here are several suggestions.
Live the Rule. Take seriously our vocation, and be
a witness to the joy that comes from living a gospel life, which is the main source of our joy. Draw young people into your vocation by letting them not only see you work, pray, and even play, but invite them to join you. The Lord gives us hope and joy to balance our afflictions. Some people—especially our youth—have trouble seeing that. The world may seem all bad. An evening of Adoration or a hike in the woods may offer a different perspective.
Serve Others. Young people might feel overwhelmed and powerless. Empowerment often comes through action, so another thing we can do is connect our younger Catholics to causes they care about. Encourage active participation in an area of service that touches them the most. Show them that helping to alleviate pain and suffering in others gives us hope, purpose, confidence, and joy.
Listen. One of the best ways to connect with youth is to listen. Share your story of resilience, but also listen to theirs. Be an ear or a shoulder. Careful reflection and discernment can help them recognize their own advantages and gifts, which leads to gratitude, but also to active planning in making changes.
Start a Conversation. Many of you have shared how difficult it is to even begin a conversation with a young person. It helps to plan a few questions in the anticipation of an opportunity. Instead of avoiding a connection with a young person, ask the Holy Spirit for courage, introduce yourself, show genuine interest when you strike up a conversation. “It’s good to see you.” “What are you doing these days?” “Have you met new friends?” “What do you like to do on your day off?”
Our attention and care can help them learn how to find hope and to be messengers of that hope in the world.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2025/04/28/helping-young-people-find-hope/
Lift Our Holy Father Up In Prayer
April 26, 2025
National minister Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS, meets Pope Francis in 2021 in Rome.
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Today, we prayed as our Holy Father, Pope Francis, was laid to rest at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.
Pope Francis was so consistent with his message about the Gospel. His first Apostolic Letter – Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel was in line with the OFS Rule. My initial thoughts were that he wanted everyone to be a Secular Franciscan.
I had the opportunity to greet Pope Francis personally in 2021 when I represented the United States at the General OFS Chapter in Rome. It was a magnificent highlight of the visit.
His example of being available to people always impressed me. I have much to learn from his careful attention to the marginalized. May we continue to lift our Holy Father in prayer. Pope Francis, pray for us as we continue bringing the Good News of Jesus to each person we meet.
Your sister,
Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS
National Minister
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2025/04/27/lift-our-holy-father-up-in-prayer/
FORMATION FRIDAY – Praise our Risen Lord using words of St. Francis – April 25, 2025
Please share with your local fraternity (en español abajo) Korean translation attached in separate PDF.
Alleluia! Let us praise our Risen Lord using the words of St. Francis.
Three sets of rubrics or directives which accompany this text in the manuscript tradition suggest that the praises below were biblical passages used by the brothers before each hour of the Office.
The Praises To Be Said at All the Hours1
Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, Is 6:3
Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come: Rv 4:8 a
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Dn 3:57
2O Lord our God, You are worthy to receive
praise, glory and honor Rv 4:11 and blessing.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Rv 4:8
3The Lamb Who was slain is worthy to receive
power and divinity, wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and blessing. Rv 5:12
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Rv 4:8
4Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit:b
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Rv 4:8
5Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Dn 3:57
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Rv 4:8
6Sing praise to our God, all you His servants
and you who fear God, the small and the great. Rv 19:5
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Rv 4:8
7Let heaven and earth praise Him Who is glorious. Ps 69:35 [Vulgate, Ps 68:35]
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Rv 4:8
8Every creature in heaven, on earth and under the earth;
and in the sea and those which are in it. Rv 5:13
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Rv 4:8
9Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Rv 4:8
10As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever. Rv 4:8Please read the praises above. Read through once. Then prayerfully consider each word and sentence a second time.
- What do the words and phrases that St. Francis wrote about God tell you about his relationship with Him?
- What do they tell you about his relationship with all of creation?
- Choose four words or phrases that touch you deeply. Spend some time thinking about why you chose those words.
- What do these praises, prayed daily, tell us about how St. Francis prayed?
- How do you praise God each day? When do you praise him?
- Personal challenge: See if you can write some praises of God that are personal to you.
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Formación 25 de abril, 2025
Por favor compartir con su fraternidad local¡Aleluya! Alabemos a nuestro Señor resucitado con las palabras de San Francisco.
Tres juegos de rúbricas o directivas que acompañan este texto en la tradición manuscrita sugieren que las alabanzas a continuación eran pasajes bíblicos usados por los hermanos antes de cada hora del Oficio.
http://franciscanos.org/esfa/alhor.html
Alabanzas que se han de decir en todas las Horas
1Santo, santo, santo Señor Dios omnipotente, el que es y el que era y el que ha de venir (cf. Ap 4,8):
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.2Digno eres, Señor Dios nuestro, de recibir la alabanza, la gloria y el honor y la bendición (cf. Ap 4,11):
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.3Digno es el cordero, que ha sido degollado, de recibir el poder y la divinidad y la sabiduría y la fortaleza y el honor y la gloria y la bendición (Ap 5,12):
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.4Bendigamos al Padre y al Hijo con el Espíritu Santo:
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.5Criaturas todas del Señor, bendecid al Señor (Dan 3,57):
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.6Alabad a nuestro Dios, todos sus siervos y los que teméis a Dios, pequeños y grandes (cf. Ap 19,5):
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.7Los cielos y la tierra alábenlo a él que es glorioso (cf. Sal 68,35; Sal Rom):
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.8Y toda criatura que hay en el cielo y sobre la tierra, y las que hay debajo de la tierra y del mar, y las que hay en él (cf. Ap 5,13):
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.9Gloria al Padre y al Hijo y al Espíritu Santo:
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.10Como era en el principio y ahora y siempre y por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
Y alabémoslo y ensalcémoslo por los siglos.11Oración: Omnipotente, santísimo, altísimo y sumo Dios, todo bien, sumo bien, total bien, que eres el solo bueno (cf. Lc 18,19), a ti te ofrezcamos toda alabanza, toda gloria, toda gracia, todo honor, toda bendición y todos los bienes. Hágase. Hágase. Amén.
Por favor, lea los elogios de arriba. Léalos una vez. Luego, en oración, considere cada palabra y oración por segunda vez.
• ¿Qué le dicen las palabras y frases que San Francisco escribió sobre Dios acerca de su relación con Él?
• ¿Qué le dicen sobre su relación con toda la creación?
• Elija cuatro palabras o frases que le conmuevan profundamente. Dedique algo de tiempo a pensar por qué eligió esas palabras.
• ¿Qué nos dicen estas alabanzas, rezadas diariamente, acerca de cómo rezaba San Francisco?
• ¿Cómo alaba usted a Dios cada día? ¿Cuándo lo alaba?
• Desafío personal: vea si puede escribir algunas alabanzas a Dios que sean personales para usted.
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
