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...

               Jesus comes with a new order of things, the Sermon on the Mount.  It’s more than a collection of moral directives, a profound declaration of the moral nature of the Kingdom, intended to shape the lives of His followers.  It’s the crucial role in Christian ethics, and offers a radical re-definition of...

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2025  Issue #117) By Sharon Winzeler, OFS • Communications Committee Chair As part of their National Chapter, on Friday, September 12th, members of the Secular Franciscan Order set aside time for a half-day pilgrimage to St. Anthony Shrine in Ellicott City, MD....

by Kathy Vore, OFS Photo by Kathy Vore, OFS Italy joyfully celebrates every Christmas season from the first Sunday of Advent through Epiphany, January 6, unlike the American Catholic Church, which celebrates Epiphany on the nearest Sunday.  Italians recognize Epiphany as a national holiday. As American Secular Franciscans, my husband...

“And as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”  Nelson Mandella’s 1994 Inaugural Address as President of South Africa Father’s Homily – video Father’s Homily – text

The...

Lay religious groups have been around the Catholic Church for centuries, but are little known.  They include the Secular Franciscan Order, Benedictine Oblates, and Lay Dominicans. Their members make simple professions rather than vows and commit to daily prayer, ongoing formation, community gatherings, and ministry. Members bring the spirituality of...

By Kathleen Molaro, OFS • National YouFra Commission Chair A story by Anthony De Mello, Jesuit priest, spiritual writer, and teacher, seems to define where we are in the process of introducing YouFra to the United States The explorer returned to his people, who were eager to know about the...

What does Jesus see when He sees?  Seeing is a physical act.  It notices outward appearances.  Seeing is also a mental act.  It evaluates people and places them in social categories the mind uses.  But seeing is also a spiritual act.  It is aware of the spiritual nature of people. ...