Formation

Formation Commission – The Light of the World: We Are Called to See It and Be It

The creation story begins with the goodness of light. Light was God’s first gift to each of us. The birth of Jesus was announced to us with the light of a star. We read of light in many stories in scripture, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. ... Light symbolizes the many wonderful characteristics of God. Light is also a symbol for awareness, knowledge, goodness, and understanding. We are each called by name (Isaiah 43:1) into the light and to shine the light from God into the world. We are called to be witnesses (Isaiah 43:10) to the world. ...

Carolyn Seal2022-09-20T13:36:44-04:00September 26th, 2022|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Fraternity Life – Fraternity: Our Secular Franciscan Witness

What could be the best contribution we, as Secular Franciscans, can make to the life of the Catholic Church? ... Here’s what Pope St. John Paul II had to say in 2002: “The Church expects from you, Secular Franciscans, a courageous and consistent testimony of Christian and Franciscan life, leaning towards the construction of a more fraternal and gospel world for the realization of the Kingdom of God. ….

Carolyn Seal2022-09-13T14:23:19-04:00September 5th, 2022|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter|2 Comments

The Pardon of Assisi – The Porziuncola Indulgence – August 2

This is the spot where, while listening to the Gospel, Francis understood what he was called by God to do. This is the spot where, while listening to the Gospel, Francis understood what he was called by God to do. St. Clare received her religious habit from the hands of Francis here in 1211.

Carolyn Seal2024-10-23T11:41:50-04:00July 30th, 2022|Categories: Formation|1 Comment

Eucharistic Revival Starts on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 19

A National Eucharistic Revival intended to nurture devotion to the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist begins on June 19, 2022, the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi.

Sharon Winzeler2022-06-19T14:50:10-04:00June 19th, 2022|Categories: Announcements, Formation, Prayer and Spirituality, The OFS Rule|2 Comments

A Visioning for Formation: As in St. Francis’ Time, Spirit of Age Ultimately Doesn’t Satisfy

Setting the stage for a weekend of formation visioning, Fr. David Pivonka, TOR, provided a dose of reality. “The world has profoundly changed in the last 25 years,” said the host of EWTN’s Wild Goose series. “Young people have no safe place. There is a sense of danger infiltrating every part of us.” He said that there are things that want to corrupt, to manipulate the spirit of faith.

Jim Thomas2022-09-30T08:07:16-04:00May 23rd, 2022|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Formation Team Reveals Ritual as a Treasure, Highlights of the National Chapter

The National Formation Team unpacked the Ritual of the Secular Franciscan Order and revealed a treasure for the life of Franciscans. Written by the International Franciscan Liturgical Commission led by Benet A. Fonck, OFM, it was officially approved in English in 1985. [...]

Carolyn Seal2022-09-30T08:09:04-04:00May 16th, 2022|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter, National Chapter|0 Comments

St. Bonaventure University Offers Summer Franciscan Formation

St. Bonaventure University has announced its summer line-up of formation offerings. Many will be offered through Zoom. A detailed description of all the courses is available on the St. Bonaventure conference website.

Sharon Winzeler2022-05-10T13:01:21-04:00April 28th, 2022|Categories: Announcements, Formation|0 Comments

The Call to ‘Rebuild My Church’ – Highlights of National Chapter

An echo of St. Francis’s vision of God’s call to “rebuild my church” resounds in the 21st century inspiration of ‘prophetic creativity,’ a concept that appears in recent Franciscan and church documents. [...]

Carolyn Seal2022-09-30T08:15:29-04:00April 18th, 2022|Categories: Formation, Fratelli Tutti, From the Newsletter, National Chapter, Prophetic Creativity|0 Comments

Devotion of Francis to Mysteries of Christ’s Life Topic of New Series

“The Crib, the Cross, the Eucharist: A Secular Franciscan Spirituality” will be presented at no charge via Zoom on May 14, June 11, and July 9. St. Bonaventure University in Bonaventure, NY, is hosting a series of talks by Franciscan friars.

Sharon Winzeler2022-05-10T15:07:45-04:00March 15th, 2022|Categories: Formation|0 Comments

Study and Live the Beatitudes

Join a 10-month study of the Beatitudes sponsored by the Secular Franciscan Order beginning Saturday, Feb. 19.

Sharon Winzeler2024-06-04T22:55:04-04:00February 13th, 2022|Categories: Announcements, Formation|2 Comments