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A time of Preparation for the Miracle of Christmas
(and, Fourth Sunday of Advent)
A Blessed Christmas 2024
(includes Giotto Crib image)
Christmas: Mary's Fiat
[a Reflection]
Epiphany: The Second Christmas
[a Reflection]
Divine Mercy Fraternity
Monthly Gathering
January 12, 2025
2:30 PM
Regular Gathering
2:30-4:30 PM
Council Meeting 4:30 - 4:45 PM
St. Patrick's Room
St. Helen Church, Vero Beach FL
We'll all go to Holy Mass at 5:00 PM
Formation
(Not yet assigned)
Monthly Newsletter Index: The Canticle
+ + +
There will be a January issue later.
New
December 2024 Canticle (pdf)
Who We Are...
Divine Mercy Fraternity is a Secular Franciscan Fraternity in Vero Beach, Florida. The Secular Franciscan Order is an international Order for lay people who want to follow Jesus Christ and live the Gospel in the style of
St. Francis of Assisi. More
Also, see below:
What is the Secular Franciscan Order?
Secular Franciscans, as the name implies, live their lives in the world rather than in religious communities. They may be single or married, women or men, in all walks of life. They live the Gospel in a Franciscan manner according to their own Rule which they profess after a period of initial formation. Profession as a Secular Franciscan is a lifelong commitment. Formation and profession of the Secular Franciscan takes place within a local community called a fraternity. Life in fraternity is an essential aspect of the Secular Franciscan vocation. The fraternity is a community of love, the privileged place for the sisters and brothers to develop their sense of Church and the Franciscan call. Although a self-governing Order, each Secular Franciscan fraternity receives guidance in spiritual matters from a spiritual assistant, usually a friar from one of the other Franciscan Orders. These relationships are particularly strong between Secular Franciscans and the Franciscan friars with whom they share common roots in the Franciscan penitential tradition. +++
Latest Franciscan periodicals
- Vox Franciscana, Winter-Spring 2024 (CIOFS) New
- TAU-USA #112 Summer 2024
PDF Link Address
- FFMR Summer 2024 Newsletter PDF-updated
- Koinonia 01-2024 New https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Koinonia-01_2024_English-1.pdf
"Formation Friday" is now found here:
https://jdpofs.org/resources/formation-fri/
Jubilee Year 2025 (Link to USCCB)
From Tom DiFeo, Christian composer:
"Seek the quiet peace of His light. Enjoy my quiet
musical reflection."
And also:
Enjoy my song, “Bethlehem (City of Bread)” and
be blessed this Christmas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vl_544D8AA
(We are not responsible for Youtube ads)
FRANCISCAN SAINTS AND BLESSED
SECULAR FRANCISCAN SAINTS - DECEMBER
04 Bl. Peter of Siena (d.1289)
07 St. Maria Giuseppa Rossello (d.1880)
11 Bl. Hugolino Magalotti (d.1373)
12 Bl. Bartholomew of San Gimignano (d.1300)
13 Finding the Body of Our Holy Father St. Francis
15 The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Franciscan Order
15 Bl. Mary Frances Schervier
19 Bl. Christina of Tuscany (d.1310)
25 Christmas Day
SECULAR FRANCISCAN SAINTS - JANUARY
04 Angela of Foligno 1248-1309
10 Blessed Pope Gregory X (d.1276)
12 Blessed Bernard of Corleone 1605-1667
14 Blessed Odoric Matiussi of Pordenone 1265-1331
16 St. Berard and Companions d. 1220
22 Vincent Pallotti (d.1850)
24 St. Francis de Sales 1567-1622 and Bl.
Paula Gambara-Costa (d.1515)
27 St. Angela Merici 1470-1540
30 St. Hyacintha Mariscotti 1585-1640
31 St. John Bosco 1815-1888, and Bl. Ludovica Albertoni
(d.1533)
General Formation material
1. How did I become a Secular Franciscan?
2. What do Secular Franciscan do at their monthly Gatherings
Both by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
The TAU CROSS each of us wears daily as our habit is a blessed Cross, a sign to the world of our admission in, and commitment to, the Secular Franciscan Order. At the beginning of each day as you prepare to get into the world, reverently kiss your Tau Cross, saying with St. Philip Neri: "And keep me Lord, this day, from betraying you, as Judas did, with a kiss! Ric Nagle. OFS.
Always wear your TAU Cross!
Canticle of the Creatures
by Saint Francis of Assisi
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no human is worthy to mention Your name.
Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather,
through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your
love, and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
Fred Schaeffer, OFS - Divine Mercy Fraternity Formation Director and Webmaster
Fred Schaeffer OFS, began writing Spiritual Reflections 26+ years ago.
He is a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order (31 years).