The shift from “SFO” to “OFS” became official in October 2011, when the General Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order mandated worldwide use of the acronym “OFS” to reflect the Order’s official Latin name, Ordo Franciscanus Sæcularis. What Changed — and Why: The Official Decision (2011) +At the XIII General...

(en español abajo) Korean translation attached in separate PDF. Franciscan Peacemaking in distressing times Offered by Joe Makely, OFS, Animator Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission   Pope Paul VI said “If you want peace, work for justice.” (Day of Peace Message, 1972.)   The OFS General Constitutions put...

(en español abajo) Korean translation attached in separate PDF.   We finish our Lenten series on the Rule with a special reflective prayer offered by Patricia Grace, OFS, JPIC chair, St. Francis Region. Today, on Good Friday, it is a good time to think about how we follow our Lord...

The OFS Rule: OFS Instrument of Conversion (Week Six) For the last five weeks we have been reading portions of the Rule at this link: https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EN-OFS-Rule-s.pdf (You can download the PDF to your computer or tablet.) We have focused on conversion, penance, prayer and action in our lives as Secular...

The OFS Rule: OFS Instrument of Conversion (Week Five) For the 6 Fridays of Lent, we will read and meditate on our Rule. Each week, we ask that you read a portion of the Rule at this link: https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EN-OFS-Rule-s.pdf (You can download the PDF to your computer or tablet.) The...

The OFS Rule: OFS Instrument of Conversion (Week Four) For the 6 Fridays of Lent, we will read and meditate on our Rule. Each week, we ask that you read a portion of the Rule at this link: https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EN-OFS-Rule-s.pdf (You can download the PDF to your computer or tablet.) The...

The OFS Rule: OFS Instrument of Conversion (Week Three)   For the 6 Fridays of Lent, we will read and meditate on our Rule. Each week, we ask that you read a portion of the Rule at this link: https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EN-OFS-Rule-s.pdf (You can download the PDF to your computer or tablet.)...

The OFS Rule: OFS Instrument of Conversion (Week Two)   For the 6 Fridays of Lent, we will read and meditate on our Rule. Each week, we ask that you read a portion of the Rule at this link: https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EN-OFS-Rule-s.pdf (You can download the PDF to your computer or tablet.)...

Please share with your local fraternity For the 6 Fridays of Lent, we will read and meditate on our Rule. Each week, we ask that you read a portion of the Rule at this link: https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EN-OFS-Rule-s.pdf (You can download the PDF to your computer or tablet.) The reflections and questions...

Please share with your fraternities (En español abajo) Korean translation attached in separate PDF.   Focus on the Admonitions (#10) https://franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/148-fa-ed-1-page-132 [X. Castigating the Body] 1There are many people who, when they sin or are injured, frequently blame the enemy or their neighbor. Gn 3:12 Gn 3:13 2But it is...

(Please share with your fraternities) Korean translation attached in a separate PDF. Focus on the Admonitions (VII and VIII) https://franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/148-fa-ed-1-page-132 [VII: Let Good Action Follow Knowledge] 1The apostle says: The letter kills, but the spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6 2Those people are put to death by the letter who...

(Please share with your fraternities) (En español abajo) Korean translation attached in separate PDF. Focus on the Admonitions (V) https://franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/147-fa-ed-1-page-131 [V. Let No One Be Proud, but Boast in the Cross of the Lord] 1Consider, O human being, in what great excellence the Lord God has placed you, for He...

(En español abajo) Korean translation attached in a separate PDF. (Please share with your fraternities) Focus on the Admonitions (IV, VI and IX) https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/144-fa-ed-1-page-128   [IV: Let No One Make Being Over Others His Own] 1I did not come to be served, but to serve, says the Lord. Mt 20:28...

Please share with your fraternities (En español abajo) Korean translation attached in separate PDF.   Focus on the Admonitions (#2 and #3) https://franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/145-fa-ed-1-page-129 [II. The Evil of Self-Will]b 1The Lord said to Adam: Eat of every tree; you may not eat, however, of the tree of the knowledge of good...

Please share with your fraternities (En español abajo) Korean translation attached in a separate PDF. Focus on the Admonitions (#I) https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/144-fa-ed-1-page-128 [I. The Body of Christ] 1The Lord Jesus says to his disciples: I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through...

Please share with your local fraternity (en español abajo) Korean translation attached in a separatePDF. As we enter the new year, we focus on St. Francis’s conversion and how it can have a deep effect on our own conversion. If you have read a good biography of St. Francis, it...

(en español abajo) Korean translation attached in a separate PDF. Please share with your local fraternity. Taking Stock in 2026 Our Lives of Prayer as Secular Franciscans “As Minister General of a large Order, St. Bonaventure provided, among other things, spiritual direction for those seeking God. In a letter to...

(Please share with your local fraternity)-En español abajo St. Francis and the Crib. St. Francis centered his life and spirituality on the Incarnation, the humanity of Christ. He was in awe that God “bent down” to be with us through his birth; through his suffering and death on the cross;...

(en español abajo) Korean translation attached in a separate PDF. St. Francis’s Praises of God and the O Antiphons If you have ever read St. Francis’s Praises of God, you may have noticed that they mirror the O Antiphons which we pray starting December 17th each year. You will notice...

(en español abajo) Korean translation attached in a separate PDF. Advent a time of Hope and Faith Secular Franciscans are people of conversion. Looking through this lens during Advent, we realize that seeking conversion requires hope and faith. CONSIDER: + Our Rule: Article 19—"Mindful that they are bearers of peace...