On July 9, 2025, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate the first “Mass for the Care of Creation”, with a new formulary of the Roman Missal; for further info see:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-07/mass-care-for-creation-roman-missal-pope-leo-xiv-laudato-si.html
Endowed with most remarkable gifts of nature and grace and reared in the fear of God, Bonaventure entered the Order of St. Francis as a young man. Completing his year of probation with honor, he continued his studies under the great Alexander of Hales. The latter did not know what he should admire most, the talent or the virtues of the young religious. He used to say it appeared that Adam had not sinned in this young man. More...
July
04 Saint Elizabeth of Portugal
07 Blessed Oddino Barrotti (d.1400)
08 Blessed Gregory Grassi and companions
09 Saint Nicholas of Gorcum and companions
10 Saint Veronica Giulini
12 Blessed John Wall and John Jones
13 Blessed Angelina of Marciano
14 Saint Francis Solano
15 Saint Bonaventure
15 Most holy Sepulchre of our Lord Jesus Christ
19 Blessed Peter Cresci (d.1323)
23 Blessed Cunegunda
23 St. Bridget of Sweden 1302-1373
24 Blessed Louis of Savoy
27 Blessed Mary Magdalen Martinengo
Latest Franciscan periodicals
- Vox Franciscana - 2025 issue 02
New
- TAU-USA #115 Spring 2025
- FFMR The Joyful Messenger Winter 2025 PDF New
- Koinonia Spring 2025 New
"Formation Friday" is now found here: https://jdpofs.org/resources/formation-fri/
From Tom DiFeo, Christian composer:
I comfort you Beautiful!
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Wonderful News: our Five Franciscan Martyrs will be Beatified soon:
See: https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/pope-clears-way-beatification-georgia-martyrs
The Spanish Franciscans Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez de Cuacos, Miguel de Añón, Antonio de Badajoz and Francisco de Veráscola were killed between Sept. 14 and Sept. 17, 1597, after Father de Corpa told a young Indigenous man, Juanillo, who was heir to a Guale chiefdom, that as a baptized Christian he could not take a second wife
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!
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
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, Webmaster
Fred Schaeffer OFS, began writing Spiritual Reflections 26+ years ago.
He is a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order (31+ years), Our Lady of the Angels Fraternity