The National Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States met September 9 - 14, 2025, at the Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville, Maryland. Over the course of five days, the regional ministers, national leaders, and spiritual assistants, elected a new National Executive Council, adopted a budget, and prayerfully conducted the business of fraternity.
This is the time to purify and simplify, to come back to what is essential. To re-think where we have been, to re-think where we are going.
"When Jane asked if it was ok if she put her name on the ballot, I said that I was open and that I am not going to say no, because I do not want to have a conversation with Jesus as to why I didn't let Jane run for national minister." Brian Bamman
It is appropriate that Rule 3 addressing the changing conditions of our world follows Rule #2. Kathleen Molaro’s article in Voices of Gospel Living last month included a reflection on our Order’s description as an “organic union.”
Let us be aware of this divine activity. Let God’s redeeming presence enter into our thinking and planning. Let us stay awake through the night.
Our King is the Good Shepherd who gathers and holds us together. Our King is the image of the Invisible God who made us to live in the light.
In this issue, five of the 30 regions are highlighted - St. Margaret of Cortona Region, St. Clare Region, Divine Mercy Region, Ohana ‘O Ke Anuenue Region, and St. Francis Region.
Physical death is not to be equated with loss of life. Indeed, it is the door to fuller life.
In the end, despite our unworthiness, Francis recognizes that we, like all the other creatures he mentions, must praise and bless the Lord – but we humans must go further. We need to give thanks, and we need to serve Him humbly.
Franciscans have a long-established custom of referring to “Sister Death.” Yet Francis did not speak of Sister Death in the Canticle. Writing in his Umbrian vernacular, he was quite intentional in naming this sister he was soon to meet: “Laudato si, mi Signore, per sora nostra Morte corporale.” He speaks of Sister Bodily Death.