Son of Spanish gypsy parents, Ceferino Giménez Malla known familiarly as “El Pelé” was born in Spain in 1861—no one knows exactly where or when. Ceferino, like his family, was a Roma who lived his life according to Roma traditions and laws, both in his upbringing and throughout his life. As a child, he wandered …
August 2025 ‘Saint of Month’ – Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla (1861-1936) Read More »
Image: Father Tulio Maruzzo and Luis Obdulio Arroyo Navarro (ofm.org) Luis Obdulio Arroyo Navarro was a Secular Franciscan and one of the Martyrs of Izabal, Guatemala. He was born in Quiriguá, Los Amates, Izabal, Guatemala on 21 June 1950. He was raised in a devout Catholic family that instilled in him a strong faith and …
Blessed Luis Obdulio Arroyo Navarro (21 June 1950 – 1 July 1981) Read More »
This reflection was prepared by the Vocation Promotion Commission. SPIRITUAL REFLECTION ON VOCATION PROMOTION (PDF)
The CIOFS Presidency has received, welcomed and accepted an initiative for a day of prayer for peace throughout the world. For this reason, the Minister General and the entire Presidency pray together for peace in the world, offering prayers especially for our brothers and sisters, and for all those who suffer in the Holy Land …
The General Committee for Franciscan Centenaries sends a Letter to all National Franciscan Families Letter on how to plan for the Transitua
Matt Talbot was a humble Dublin workman whose life of prayer and penance has become well known since his death on June 7, 1925. Matt was born on 2 May 1856 into a working-class family in Dublin’s inner city. From his early teens up to the age of twenty-eight Matt Talbot was addicted to alcohol, …
The CIOFS Presidency has approved a new corporate brand design centered around the international OFS logo. The logo seeks to express the nature of the OFS, being Franciscan, secular and an order. It picks up the Franciscan element of the old logo — namely, the Tau “T”. The new design eliminates the Latin words around …
KOINÕNIA – 01 – 2025: A PRAISE BORN FROM SUFFERING
An Italian Secular Franciscan couple who raised 10 children has been recognised as venerable by Pope Francis. The Bernardinis are the third married couple in the history of the Church to receive this title (they were preceded by Blessed Luigi and Blessed Maria Beltrame and St. Louis and St. Zelie Martin.) Eight of the Bernardini …
May 2025: Venerable Sergio and Domenica Bernardini (1882 & 1889) Read More »
The day of solidarity will be celebrated annually on Nov. 17. Letter from Minister General (PDF) Day of Solidarity flyer (PDF)
