For St. Francis, Community since the beginning was understood as a gift. St. Francis says in his Testament: “The Lord gave me some friars as gifts” and wants the friars to be called “minor” from the beginning.
The Community never considered itself as a privileged group or as being better than others. Within the Community there is room for everyone, whether poor, rich, educated or illiterate...
In the Community, each one is equal and cares about everyone else. The care is directed in a special way toward the poor – lepers, sick, thieves. Creation participates in this communion, and Francis calls all into this relationship as brothers and sisters: the birds, the wolf, the moon, the sun, worms, rocks and even death. We can say that Francis was the first one to sing and praise the Community of Life.
Community is a gift
So, how can we live this out NOW? How and where can we bring about places for COMMUNION AND CARE? We need to take up this great challenge in order to build our future:
Generate compassion and hope in the Community of life
Nearly 245 Franciscan Sisters, Brothers, and Associates explored various aspects of Franciscan moral and political thinking at the 2015 annual conference of the Franciscan Federation of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi in the USA...
A retreat gives people time to look inward and reflect on one’s life journey and to discern some next steps. Attending the 2015 North American Conference of Associates and Religious (NACAR) retreat May 26‒29, 2015, provided opportunity...
From May 1st to May 3rd, the Italian Area met together for their annual Assembly which gave us the joy of spending time together to let ourselves be inspired by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The title of our meeting was: “Towards the Community of Life” to emphasize our desire as Apostles of the...
On January 13-15, the Sisters of the Brazilian Area gathered at Casa São José in Goiania for our Assembly. Our meeting began with a prayer prepared and conducted by Sister Maria Helena. She also introduced the group to a technique...
During the week of January 23rd to the 25th, we held our Area Assembly. These annual meetings are eagerly awaited because they enable us to live the communion. To hear from another Sister who ministers on the other side of the country and...
Here I am, in the Philippines, writing to you about my thoughts and experiences as a missionary. After recovering from the the long trip, I was amazed as I began to enter into a completely new reality. Everything around me felt fantastical...
As is the custom each year, the Italian Area, divided into two zones – Assissi and Vermicino -- met for a weekend of Permanent Formation. What resulted were days filled with the joy of meeting together...
As part of the continuing celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) encouraged religious congregations to sponsor
an open house to share on their life and call.
“Our Area Assembly took place, in Goiânia, Goiás. Assemblies are always a time of grace and spiritual growth for us - individually and as a group. We were joyfully welcomed our Congregational Minister, Sister Licia...
Our 2014 Assembly, “Embracing the Call to be Apostles the Resurrection,” began with a warm welcome by Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, and a prayer ritual during which Associate Gloriajean Wallace called each participant...
