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Divine Mercy Fraternity

Secular Franciscan Order
Vero Beach, Florida

We gather on the Second Sunday
except:
May, 2024, the Third Sunday.

from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, St. Helen Catholic Church,
St. Patrick's Room.
2085 Tallahassee Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960

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


May 2024 Canticle

Monthly Newsletter Index: The Canticle


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

Secular Franciscan Monthly Pledge

A good way to remember what we promised

OFS Franciscan Resource Index

We have a large Franciscan Resource Index on this website.

Lots of great information, also on other texts.

Latest Franciscan periodicals

  • Vox Franciscana, Winter - Spring 2023 (Ciofs)
  • TAU-USA #111 Spring 2024 new PDF  link   
  • FFMR Winter 2024 Newsletter Download from:

           https://www.ffmr-ofs.org/ffmr-newsletter/

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

  MORE VIEWS

Be Eucharist!
A Franciscan View by Fred Schaeffer, OFS

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

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