Canticle of the Creatures Meditation

The Centenary Task Force invites you to join them this Earth Day for a meditative reflection of The Canticle of the Creatures by St. Francis of Assisi. The timeless hymn of praise to God through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and all of creation is shown through the beautiful images of our OFS members. We reflect on St. Francis’ deep reverence for the natural world and, with reflection, questions, and meditative music explore how his spiritual vision calls us to live in harmony with all life.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2025/04/22/canticle-of-the-creatures-meditation/

JPIC: Sharing the Joy and the Hope

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2025 Issue #114)

JPIC logo -Holy spirit with Tau within it flying over a leaf

Joe Makley, OFSJPIC - Hands holding the World
National JPIC Animator

We can probably agree that “the Church’s best kept secret” is not the most desirable nickname for the Secular Franciscan Order. As a regional vice minister, I was asked to initiate a “vocations ministry” a few years ago. This resulted in a handbook which referenced the national Vocations Toolkit along with best practices from around St. Elizabeth of Hungary region. It can be found at https://stelizabethofs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SEHRegionVocations-Handbook.2023.pdf

That work was to address primarily the challenge of getting people to know we exist. Individual best practices include: 1. Wear the Tau consistently and be ready to speak when asked about it. 2. When meeting with someone who might be interested, invite them to a fraternity meeting. 3. Be recognizable in tone and demeanor, as a Franciscan, especially on social media. (OFS Rule, Art. 19)

OFS General Constitutions, Article 45:
“… Although nothing can substitute for the witness of each member and of the fraternity, the councils must adopt appropriate means to promote the Secular Franciscan vocation.”

Council best practices include: 1. Organize a “Come and See” event once a year. 2. Develop contacts with pastors at surrounding parishes and arrange to send pulpit speakers to talk to the congregations after Mass, or in another forum. 3. Propose activities to increase visibility in the home parish which can include Franciscan celebrations, Transitus services, animal blessings, anniversaries of profession, shared ministries, and volunteering as a group. 4. Propose activities to take the fraternity outside the parish hall, such as public good works, social action, diocesan events, etc. Be the public face of the Church in the marketplace.

So, let’s say we’ve done all these things, and visitors show up at our meeting. They experience sincere prayer that is liturgical and shows a strong love for the Church. They hopefully catch our non-judgmental love for one another, our tendency toward social interaction, and the presence of shared food. They will learn something new about our Franciscan charism and theology. If it is a planned “Come and see,” they will hear testimonials, and get a sense of the “radical interior change” from personal witness. At the meeting level, we have exercised due diligence in the basics of promoting vocations.

The next level would be the apostolate – our collective courageous action for peace, justice, human dignity, or care for creation that takes us outside the meeting room to fill a need in the community. A visitor invited to participate in an active apostolate will get a much richer look at who we are. The JPIC animators’ handbook explains it this way: by “working with fellow Franciscans in a cooperative, collaborative, manner respecting the gifts and person of each member,” we communicate “an example of the early Christian community… simultaneously ministering not only to the needs of others but also witnessing to the Franciscan identity by the manner in which the ministry is dispensed.” (Adapted from Formators’ guidelines from the Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis Region, 2010.) One way to give life to the apostolate would be to appoint a fraternity contact for Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation, who can be given the time, the responsibility, and the learning opportunities to assist the members in developing this active level of fraternity.

This beloved life of ours, this transformative journey with Christ in Francis’ footsteps, is worth sharing, and we share it best by living it with intensity, joy, and hope.

1 Peter 3:15: “… in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…”

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2025/04/21/jpic-sharing-the-joy-and-the-hope/

Open post

FORMATION FRIDAY – Examination of Conscience with St. Francis before the Crucifix – – April 18, 2025

Thank you to Layna Maher, OFS, Chair of the OFS USA National Formation Commission

An Examination of Conscience with St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer before the Crucifix


Most High,
glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me
true faith,
certain hope,
and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
Lord,
that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.

Most High, glorious God,

+Have I doubted or denied God?
+Have I treated people, events, or things as more important than God?
+Have I been ashamed of or denied my faith in front of others?
+“But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” Matthew 10:33

Enlighten the darkness of my heart

+Do I acknowledge my total dependence on God with humility?
+What dark corners of your heart could use some light?
+Do I pray and seek God’s presence?
+“I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” Jn 12:46

And give me true faith,

+Do I place complete trust and faith in God’s wisdom, goodness, and plan, even when facing challenges or uncertainty?
+Do I seek God’s guidance and direction in my life?
Do I strive to keep Christ at the center of my life?
+Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10)

Certain hope,

+Do I place my desire for the kingdom of heaven above other desires?
+Do live my life with peace and joy having confidence in God’s plan?
+Do I trust in God’s love even in the midst of injustice and uncertainty?
+ Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience (Rom. 8:24-25).

And perfect charity,

+Have I offered help to those in need or turned away?
+Do I treat those on the margins of society with dignity and respect?
+Do I promote peace and justice by working to resolve conflict?
+Does my lifestyle respect, protect and care for our Sister, Mother Earth?
+“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Luke 12:34

Sense and knowledge,

+Do I recognize God’s will and purpose in my life?
+Am I making choices in my life that bring me closer to God?
+Do I take time to read the Gospel and scriptures?
+Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds. James 4:8


Lord, that I may carry out Your holy and true command.

+Have I loved God with all my heart with all my soul and with all my mind?
+Have I loved my neighbor as myself?
+Do I live a Gospel centered life?
+Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” John 14:21

++++++++++++++++++++++

Formación 18 de abril 2025 Compartir con su fraternidad local

Gracias a Layna Maher, OFS, Presidenta de la Comisión Nacional de Formación de la OFS USA

Un Examen de Conciencia con la Oración de San Francisco de Asís ante el Crucifijo

Sumo, glorioso Dios,
ilumina las tinieblas de mi corazón
y dame fe recta,
esperanza cierta
y caridad perfecta,
sentido y conocimiento, Señor,
para que cumpla tu santo y verdadero mandamiento.

Sumo, glorioso Dios,

+ ¿He dudado o negado a Dios?
+ ¿He tratado a las personas, los acontecimientos o las cosas como si fueran más importantes que Dios?
+ ¿Me he avergonzado o negado mi fe delante de los demás?
+”Pero al que me niegue delante de los hombres, yo lo negaré delante de mi Padre celestial.” Mateo 10:33

Ilumina las tinieblas de mi corazón

+ ¿Reconozco con humildad mi total dependencia de Dios?
+ ¿A qué rincones oscuros de tu corazón les vendría bien un poco de luz?
+ ¿Rezo y busco la presencia de Dios?
+“Yo he venido al mundo como luz, para que todo el que cree en mí no permanezca en tinieblas.” Juan 12:46

Y dame fe recta,

+¿Confío plenamente en la sabiduría, la bondad y el plan de Dios, incluso cuando me enfrento a desafíos o incertidumbre?
+ ¿Busco la guía y dirección de Dios en mi vida?
+ ¿Me esfuerzo por mantener a Cristo en el centro de mi vida?
+ Sé fiel hasta la muerte, y yo te daré la corona de la vida (Apocalipsis 2:10)

Esperanza cierta,

+ ¿Pongo mi deseo por el reino de los cielos por encima de otros deseos?
+ ¿Vivo con paz y alegría teniendo confianza en el plan de Dios?
+ ¿Confío en el amor de Dios incluso en medio de la injusticia y la incertidumbre?
+ Ahora bien, la esperanza que se ve no es esperanza. Porque, ¿quién espera lo que ve? Pero si esperamos lo que no vemos, lo esperamos con paciencia (Romanos 8:24-25).

Y caridad perfecta,

+ ¿He ofrecido ayudar a los necesitados o les he dado la espalda?
+ ¿Trato con dignidad y respeto a los marginados de la sociedad?
+ ¿Promuevo la paz y la justicia trabajando para resolver conflictos?
+ ¿Mi estilo de vida respeta, protege y cuida a nuestra Hermana, la Madre Tierra?
+ “Porque donde esté tu tesoro, allí estará también tu corazón.” Lucas 12:34

Sentido y conocimiento, Señor,

+ ¿Reconozco la voluntad y el propósito de Dios en mi vida?
+ ¿Estoy tomando decisiones en mi vida que me acercan a Dios?
+ ¿Dedico tiempo a leer el Evangelio y las Escrituras?
+ Acércate a Dios y Él se acercará a ti. Limpiad vuestras manos, pecadores, y purificad vuestros corazones, vosotros de doble ánimo. Santiago 4:8

Para que cumpla tu santo y verdadero mandamiento.

+ ¿He amado a Dios con todo mi corazón, con toda mi alma y con toda mi mente?
+ ¿He amado a mi prójimo como a mí mismo?
+ ¿Vivo una vida centrada en el Evangelio?
+ El que tiene mis mandamientos y los cumple es el que me ama. Y el que me ame será amado por mi Padre, y yo le amaré y me manifestaré a él». Juan 14:21

 
 
Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Vice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USA
Listen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025

Vocations: Interviews with Regional Ministers

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2025 Issue #114)

by Sharon Winzeler
Communications Committee Chair

Think about the invitation you received to attend your first Secular Franciscan gathering. Did it come from a friend? Perhaps a fellow parishioner suggested you attend. Maybe you saw an announcement in the church bulletin. Or did your spiritual director suggest you check out the Franciscans? However it happened, that invitation led to your discernment to become a Secular Franciscan.

As we seek to expand vocations in the Order, we can reflect on our own calling for ways to engage others.

“We once had a spiritual assistant who said it’s all about the personal invitation – holding the door open and inviting people in,” said Ellen Ferrone, OFS, minister of the Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis Region. “He stressed guiding them to a place where their spirit might grow,” said Ellen.

She was talking about Fr. Steve Kluge, OFM, former spiritual assistant at the Padre Pio Fraternity in Raleigh, NC. His time as spiritual assistant led to the profession of 15 Secular Franciscans in 2023. Interest in the fraternity continues to grow with 12 candidates and a 15-member orientation class.

Brenda Schmitt, treasurer of Queen of Peace Region, said invitations contribute to the growth at the St. Mary Fraternity in Cedar Falls, IA. “Before 2016, there were only five active members in the St. Mary Fraternity. Since then, they had 13 people profess. Now there are four candidates who will profess in June and two more are in their fifth month of formation,” said Brenda.

How did the fraternity interest so many? They shared their experiences at a Christian Experiences Weekend (https://crcew.org). From that presentation, seven people visited the next monthly gathering and four eventually professed.

In addition, members of St. Mary Frances Fraternity in Bristol, CT, shared their experiences with prayer groups, Bible studies, priests, and deacons. Invitations were sent to members of social action committees in the surrounding parishes and announcements were placed in church bulletins. The fraternity also sponsored a retreat that was open to everyone. They are part of the Blessed Solanus Casey Region.

Janet Angelillo, OFS, regional minister of the Blessed Solanus Casey Region, said the Portiuncula Fraternity in Shrub Oak, NY, professed eight new members in 2022, and have five candidates preparing for profession this year.

“The reason for these vocations is that the fraternity meets in a very large parish and members are active in the parish. Members pray to discern who exhibits a Franciscan spirit and invite those people to their meetings. In addition, the fraternity holds other events open to surrounding parishes like a Sunday movie night featuring St. Francis, a crèche service, a midnight run, blessing of the animals, and a monthly Sunday Mass said for the intention of the fraternity.

“Personal invitation does seem to be the most successful way to attract new members,” Janet said.

The Blessed Solanus Casey Region has also established a “Vocations and Visibility” committee whose work is to meet with deaneries and dioceses to acquaint them with members of the Secular Franciscan Order.

What has your fraternity done to attract new vocations? Start with prayer, and then you may want to try some of the approaches that have worked in other fraternities, like those mentioned above.

Vocations: Interviews with Regional Ministers

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Juan de Padilla