Lady Wisdom is God’s partner in creation, an active agent of God’s desire. To those who seek Wisdom, Wisdom makes clear what God wants. Wisdom speaks on her own authority. She also acts, creates, saves and directs human history.
In Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, the first definition of “trespass” is “a violation of moral or social ethics, especially sin.” In the Our Father prayer, it means those sins or wrongs committed against us. These are the moments when people injure us, let us down, break our trust, and/or hurt our feelings. For St. Francis, forgiveness is not a simple task. It is a deep, spiritual action that requires God’s intervention. Francis gives us a gentle, structured way to process and let go of hurts: We have to decide to choose love over hate.
As I have reflected on Article 14 of our Rule, I have continually been drawn back to this verse from the Gospel according to St. Mark, which is our OFS-USA theme for 2025-2028. Jesus gives his disciples this command when appearing to them after the Resurrection, when they had not believed Mary Magdalene, nor the two that had been walking along the road to Emmaus. In Mark’s Gospel, this scene is followed quickly by the Ascension, and the disciples “…going forth and preaching everywhere…”. (Mark 16:20).
Let us be in touch with the mystery of God in our lives. Let us become aware of His active presence. Let us encounter God as loving and challenging us, inspiring and empowering us, a living engagement -- God With Us -- moving and walking forward together.
We all need forgiveness. Francis underscores the magnitude of God’s power to forgive and the limitlessness of His mercy. He seems to be reassuring himself, and us, that no matter how sinful we feel – and are! – the Father is ready and able to show us mercy and forgiveness.
God is Love. Love does not force, does not push us into things. Love invites. We respond. God is Good, All Good, Supreme Good. Our fundamental principle of Franciscan Spirituality.
What are some of the most important questions Secular Franciscans can ask themselves? Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv., offers thoughts and reflections on our lives as Franciscans at the close of the 2026 Chapter in Wichita, KS.
Each day, God the Father offers us countless moments of grace, but none more profound than the gift of the Eucharist, His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, given for us. In Holy Communion we receive not only spiritual nourishment, but the living presence of the One who loved us unto suffering, death, and resurrection.
Felix Rosado, OFS, received the 2026 Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Award from the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States (OFS-USA) for his work in restorative justice.
Strengthening local fraternities and supporting members in living their Franciscan vocation were central to National Minister Jane DeRose-Bamman’s 2026 State of the Order message, presented Oct. 14 at the OFS-USA Chapter at the Spiritual Life Center.