"Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society"

--Saint Francis

One of the most famous and enduring, if not endearing saints of the West was born the son of a wealthy silk merchant in the southern Italian town of Assisi.  Peter and Pica Bernadone became parents while Peter was away in France on business.  The newborn was baptized and christened with the name of John (Giovanni), but upon his father’s return from a successful business trip to France, he was renamed Francesco, or as w...

One of the beautiful paintings that adorn the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, is a scene (see right) showing Mary and the Christ-child at the foot of the Cross with Saint John and Saint Francis. The Child inquires of His Mother whom she prefers between the two. Mary points to Francis. This is a Fresco "Madonna with St Francis and St John the Evangelist" by Pietro Lorenzetti (c. 1320) which ...

As above, when Secular Franciscans were still using the Rule of Saint Francis of Pope Leo XIII, Father Marion Habig, OFM, in 1972 published his "New Catechism of the Third Order" published by Franciscan Herald Press. This catechism has some very practical advice under the chapter title: A Life of Prayer. We would like to present here some portions of that chapter for educational purposes.

"Prayer means speaking lovingly with God, either by word or mouth or in the silent language of t...

When Secular Franciscans were still using the Rule of Saint Francis of Pope Leo XIII, Father Marion Habig, OFM, in 1972 published his "New Catechism of the Third Order" published by Franciscan Herald Press. As you remember, the current Rule was issued, somewhat revised, by Pope Paul VI, several years later. The catechism in question has some very practical advice under the chapter title: The Golden Mean. We would like to present here some portions of that chapter for educational purp...

Identity and Affiliation

By Fr. Michael Higgins, TOR

From: Koinonia, 2002, N. 3

(Koinonia is a publication of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants of the S.F.O., and is published in Rome)

Introduction

The Church provides a means to visibly and vigorously participate in Christ's mission to invite every man and women into a deep and personal relationship with God. In a real and practical sense it is to be the leaven of faith for people, the salt of the earth, the light a...

The Franciscan symbol of the "crossed arms" depicts the arms of Jesus and Francis crossed over the Tau, both bearing the imprint of the Crucifixion nails. Francis' arm is enclosed in the sleeve of his habit. It is a celebration of that remarkable gift of grace which St. Francis received on Mt. Alverna, September 17th - the Stigmata ... the bearing in his own body of the marks of his crucified Lord.

Just before he died on October 3rd, Francis stretched out his arms over his brothers in ...

• Franciscans strive to live the gospel, in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi.
• Franciscans come from all walks of life...Laborers, Professionals, Housewives, Executives, Workers, Ordinary Citizens, Managers, Career people, Retirees, etc.
• Franciscans come together monthly to replenish themselves spiritually and study God's way through Saint Francis
• Franciscans improve their pray...

There are many people in this world who lead a boring life. That is to say, they have nothing going for themselves. They have few if any interests outside of going to work and coming home and slouching in front of the television all night. They love to eat, and to gratify their senses in one form or another. Some will say that's plenty, but usually that formula isn't strong in including Our Lord.

People who love God and those who want to love Him. Or to...

We all know that vocal prayer is communication with God, either privately or in community (at Holy Mass, praying the Rosary, or parts thereof; praying the "Liturgy of the Hours," out loud.) "Vocal prayer differs from mental prayer precisely in this that mental prayer is not possible without attention to the thoughts that are conceived and expressed whether internally or externally. Neither is it possible to pray without attending to thought and words when we at...

Hope is in a religious context, carries a connotation of being aware of what Christians see as spiritual "truth." In Christian theology, hope is one of the three theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity), which are spiritual gifts of God. In contrast to the above, it is not a physical emotion but a spiritual grace. Hope is distinct from positive thinking, which refers to a therapeutic or systematic process used in psychology for reversing pessimism. The term false hop...

A prayer of Reparation is a prayer or devotion with the intent to repair the "sins of others" as well as our own sins, e.g. for the repair of the sin of blasphemy, the sufferings of Jesus Christ or as Acts of Reparation to the Virgin Mary. These prayers do not usually involve a petition for a living or deceased beneficiary, but aim to repair sins. Before asking any favor, be it for yourself or for someone else, it is proper to ask for forgiveness of sins.

A person havi...

We can pray anywhere we want, but generally, if we want to sit down with the Liturgy of the Hours or the Rosary, the television and all other distraction needs to be shut off. Some will pray the Rosary from a recorded tape of the Rosary, and while this helps the elderly or homebound sick people, the Rosary is best prayed by saying the whole prayer, or at least the bottom half. Ideally, another person in your home can participate, and then it becomes a family pr...

Prayer is indeed indispensable. It is simple communication with God; none of us can be without God. We speak to Him, and He speaks to us. But sometimes the pressures of life can be so daunting that we get distracted from prayer. That is really OK. We need to work through these conditions in life, and Our Lord, with His supreme love guides us through these phases.

The best prayer is always that of the Holy Mass. If you are Catholic, the Mass is it. The pi...

The process of becoming a professed Secular Franciscan is a journey that involves three separate stages and culminates in a lifelong commitment to live the gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. This formation process unfolds in regularly scheduled formation sessions during which the home study material is thoroughly discussed.

The first stage, Orientation, provides time for dialogue and developing relationships in fraternity. During Orientation you will be intr...

Prologue

Exhortation of Saint Francis to the Brothers and Sisters in Penance

In the name of the Lord!

Chapter 1

Concerning Those Wh...