Interested in becoming a Secular Franciscan? Please pray about it, and please read come and see.
Divine Mercy Fraternity
Monthly Gathering
May 12, 2024 - 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
Ch. 28, "Fraternities: Gathering as One" p. 301-309, in the Franciscan Journey, Updated version.
"Ch. 28" in JDP Regional Website
Juan de Padilla (JDP) Region of the Secular Franciscan Order publishes an on-line version of the formation text
Monthly Newsletter Index: The Canticle
Called to a Franciscan Life Style: Discernment
by
Fred Schaeffer, OFS.,
taken from:
Reflections-on-Formation-Topics-in-the-For-Up-To-Now-Manual.pdf
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
Secular Franciscan Monthly Pledge
A good way to remember what we promised
We have a large Franciscan Resource Index on this website.
Lots of great information, also on other texts.
"Formation Friday" is now found here:
https://jdpofs.org/resources/formation-fri/๏ปฟ
Latest Franciscan periodicals
Please enjoy a new music videos by Mr. Tom DiFeo
Listen to "Rest Awhile in My Arms"
Link: https://youtu.be/ujWQxeAsaPE
New This Lent, let him lead you through the desert:
Link:
https://youtu.be/9vl0plQo2sg
(We are not responsible for Youtube advertising)
Franciscan Views
A New Section
Be Eucharist!
A Franciscan View by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Mary's Little Portion 01May
The Beauty of the Soul 02May
April 2024
January 2024
February 2024
November 2023
December 2023
October 2023
These are older reflections you might like. These reflections are all on the "Fraternity website"
Secular Franciscan Saints and Blessed
Source: https://www.dmfofs2.com/saints
April
3 Saint Benedict the Black
4 Blessed William Cufitella (d.1404)
16 (1209) Profession of Francis of Assisi and
his 12 companions in the hands of Pope
Innocent III at the Lateran Council.
16 Saint Bernadette
17 Saint Benedict Joseph Labre
21 Saint Conrad of Parzham
23 Blessed Giles of Assisi
24 Saint Fidelis de Sigmaringen
25 Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur (d.1667)
28 Bl. Luchesio, 1180-1250, and his wife,
Bonadonna
30 Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo (d.1842)
May
09 Saint Catharine of Bologna
11 Saint Ignatius of Laconi
15 Amato Ronconi of Saldezzo (d.1304)
16 Saint Margaret of Cortona
17 Saint Pascal of Baylon
18 Saint Felix of Cantalice
19 Ivo of Kermartin (d.1303)
20 Saint Bernardin of Siena
21 Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (d.1943)
24 Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Francis
26 Mariana de Jesús de Paredes (d.1645)
27 Our Lady, Madiatrix of graces
28 Saint Mariana of Jesus de Parades
30 Blessed Baptista Varamo
30 Saint Ferdinand the King / Joan of Arc
(d.1431)
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 comitment 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!
Throughout eight centuries of history, the Franciscan Order has been blessed with many symbols to represent it. This shield of the Franciscan Order has been used by all branches of the family, the shield of the two crossed arms has undergone several transformations throughout history. This seal represents the crossed arms of Christ and Francis. The arm of Christ is naked, on the right side, while the arm of Francis covered by his habit, on the left. It is a true expression of both Jesus’ and Francis’ fervent style of love. We see in Jesus’ crucified hand, first of all, God’s incredible love for us. In Francis’ wounded hand, in turn, we see the loving response of St. Francis to the burning love of God, who first loved us. This Franciscan Coat of Arms is an image worthy of our contemplation.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking
in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church
(Col. 1:24 RSVCE)
FRANCISCAN CROWN
(The Rosary of the Seven Joys of Mary)
Here is a short explanation of the history of the Franciscan Crown and the prayers.
Franciscans pray a seven-decade Rosary known as the Franciscan Crown. It dates back the 15th century when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in Assisi to a Franciscan friar named James. As a child, James offered Mary a crown of roses every day as a sign of his love and devotion to her.
When he joined the Franciscans, James was distressed that he could no longer make this offering of flowers to Our Lady.
More....
Canticle of the Creatures by St. 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 splendor;
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. Amen
Fred Schaeffer, OFS - Divine Mercy Fraternity Formation Director and Webmaster
Fred Schaeffer OFS, began writing Spiritual Reflections 26+ years ago, when he joined a religious order of monks which ended its existence. Fred was with that order for five years. He has been, and continues to be a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order (31 years, and counting).
https://www.dmfofs2.com/ - Fraternity Website
https://www.franciscanreflections.com/ - by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
"Franciscan Reflections" © Fred Schaeffer, OFS
contact us:
(webmaster)
Other Websites by Fred Schaeffer, OFS:
Our Twitter address: @divinemercyOFS