Fr. Cidouane Joseph, OFM (Fr. Cid) is the new National Spiritual Assistant and Provincial Animator for Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, OFM. He succeeds Fr. Jerome Wolbert, OFM,  in this ministry and begins his service with a spirit of humility and fraternity. In May, Fr. Jerome will move to Rome...

The abundant life enhances our lives and the lives of others.  It refuses to add to the pain of the world.  It is life spilling over to life. Father’s Homily – video Father’s Homily – text

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – Good Shepherd Sunday – 4th Sunday of...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2026  Issue #118) By Bret Thoman, OFS Anyone who has spent time with varied Franciscan fraternities knows that there are different ways of living the faith and putting it into action. On the one hand, some emphasize a strong sense of liturgy...

Because it’s a story of shattering and restoration, without a doubt, if your life has ever been shattered, then this is your story. If your life has ever been restored, this is your story as well. And if you have ever been in that in-between place, between shattering and restoration,...

As part of the ongoing Franciscan Jubilee, Secular Franciscans are invited to gather at Franciscan University of Steubenville, November 5-7, for a special academic conference. The university will host a conference entitled “Sister Death—Gate of Life” beginning Thursday evening and continuing through Saturday afternoon. Rooted in the spirituality of St. Francis...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2026  Issue #118) By Janice Benton, OFS and Susan Tabor, OFS • National Accessibility Committee Co-chairs Remembering Beloved Team Member, Michael Freeman, OFS On November 3, 2025, Sister Bodily Death came unexpectedly for our brother, Michael Freeman. Michael served on the OFS...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2026  Issue #118) By Kathleen Molaro, OFS • Youth and Young Adult Commission Chair Diversity “Today’s young adults represent the most culturally diverse generation ever seen in the United States,” according to the Bishops in Connecting Young Adults to Catholic Parishes. Young...

By Chris Leone, OFS National Councilor, OFS-USA . Chris Leone, OFS National Councilor God in his infinite mercy, understands that we will fall short, we will sin –  but he does not leave us in that sin.  Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we can be restored to love and friendship...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2026  Issue #118) By Joe Makley, OFS • National JPIC Animator I remember with great warmth a snowy 2:00 AM drive to pick up our daughter, Grace, at Holy Cross Church in Lewiston, Maine, where the bus had returned from the March...

Father is traveling this weekend, so we are reprising last year’s Palm Sunday homily. ____________________________________________________________ Let us scatter the desires of our hearts, like so many garments at His feet, that He may direct his steps toward us, and make His dwelling with us. Father’s Homily – video Blessing of...

March 23, 2026 update to a recent blog “Servant of God Adele Brice & Our Lady of Champion (WI, USA)” From: https://championshrine.org/timeline/ Adele and her companions form a community of Third Order Franciscans and begin to stabilize their missionary work in a farmhouse not far from the wood frame Chapel....

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2026  Issue #118) By Anne Hope Mulqueen, OFS • National Formation Commission Faith is a gift from God and a grace-filled relationship with the Almighty. As we grow in faith, we are challenged to discern what God expects of us. True faith...

Recently as I was researching Marian apparitions on the internet for our local Fraternity’s On-going Formation, I was astonished to discover that Our Mother Mary had appeared in the Green Bay area of Wisconsin in 1859 to a young girl who established a group of Third Order Franciscan Sisters.  What...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2026  Issue #118) By Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, T.O.R. • National Spiritual Assistant In his writings and throughout his life, St. Francis exemplifies that true faith must be expressed through concrete actions. That first kiss, to the leper, and then to and from...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2026  Issue #118) By Diane Menditto, OFS • National Vice Minister As Secular Franciscans, we are called not only to profess our faith but to exemplify it in our daily lives. Our Rule reminds us that our vocation is rooted in Baptism...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2025  Issue #117) By Mary Frances Charsky, OFS  • International Councilor Among the many treasures of our Franciscan heritage, few words echo more deeply than the closing line of the Peace Prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “It is in giving...

By Christine Blood, OFS National Councilor, OFS-USA . Christine Blood, OFS National Councilor On the night of my Profession, I realized how blessed I was to have had excellent formators, true witnesses of our faith and the Order. They taught me well because I knew that I would forever be...

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, the Year of St. Francis of Assisi, marking the 800th anniversary of his death.  All members of Franciscan religious orders and the faithful can obtain plenary indulgences by visiting any conventional Franciscan church or place of worship dedicated...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2025  Issue #117) In this issue, the final five of the 30 regions highlighted. Lady Region Poverty Lady Poverty is another region that covers parts of multiple states: the western half of Pennsylvania, an eastern sliver of Ohio, part of northern Maryland,...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2025  Issue #117) Meet your 2026 Q Planning Committee. (Pictured from left to right) Br. Bob Brady, OFM; Cathy Roszhart, OFS Joe Edwards, OFS; Susan Ronan, OFS Jim Graczyk, OFS; Claudia Kauzlarich, OFS Diane Menditto, OFS; Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS What does it...