From August 21 to 26, 2026, the 2nd OFS–YouFra Pan-African Congress took place in Kampala, Uganda, under the central theme “Be Peacemakers.” The motto guiding the gathering was: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God” (Mt 5:9). It should be noted that the 1st Pan-African OFS–YouFra Congress took place in […]
The 2nd OFS‑YOUFRA Pan‑African Congress Read More »
José Jorge Bunader was born on January 15, 1889, in El Metn (Jabal Lubna, Lebanon). After moving to Argentina, he remained there for the rest of his life. He was a lay Catholic of the Maronite rite. He was married and had a large family, which he cared for with admirable attention and devotion. His
September: Servant of God José Jorge Bunader (1889 – 1952) Read More »
The Secretariat for Formation presents the fourth module on deepening our understanding of our way of life by examining articles of our OFS Rule. Concordances – Module 4. (PDF)
On-going Formation: Exploring Our Rule (Module 4) Read More »
2026 THEME “ST. FRANCIS’ EASTER: An Event of Hope” KOINÕNIA – 02 – 2026 (PDF): The beauty and appeal of the Christian life: “Praise and bless my Lord…”
KOINÕNIA: The beauty and appeal of the Christian life Read More »
Saint Pius X, in the world Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, wrote the following words in his will and testament: “I was born poor, I have lived in poverty, and I wish to die poor”. He was a Pope from a humble social background, who was elected to the See of Peter, after going through all the
August: St. Pope Pius X (1835 – 1914) Read More »
Isabella of Aragon, also known as Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, was born in Zaragoza on January 4, 1271. She was the third child of Peter III the Great, the king of Aragon, Valencia, and Count of Barcelona, and Constance of Sicily. At the age of 12, she was married to Dionysius, the king of Portugal,
July: Saint Elisabeth of Portugal (1271-1336) Read More »
Through God’s Mercy, we continue the social initiative “Well4Africa”, the aim of which is to ensure human right to water by drilling boreholes in poor areas of Africa where the Franciscan Family is present. We hereby provide the report on implemented and ongoing “Well4Africa” water projects in 2025.
Well4Africa news and annual report 2025 Read More »
Peter Reddy, also known as Paul Chinnappa Reddiar or Paradesi Peter (Pilgrim Peter), was born on 30 April 1895 in Periooru, a village in the Madurai region of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. His parents were Hindus who converted to Lutheranism, and he, at the age of eighteen, first heard about Saint Francis from Anglican
June: Servant of God Peter Reddy (1895-1958) Read More »
Mariana de Paredes y Flores was born in Quito (Ecuador) on 31 October 1618 into a noble family of Spanish origin, whose lineage combines Andalusia and Castile. A prodigy of piety, owing to the precocious maturity of her spirit, she had already bound herself by vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at the age of
Saint of Month: Mariana of Jesus de Paredes (1618 – 1645) Read More »
Ministers General invite the whole Franciscan Family to observe ‘Week of Poor’ during the 800th anniversary year of Transitus of St. Francis Letter from Ministers General (PDF)
Franciscan Family Invited to Observe ‘Week of Poor ’Nov. 9-15 Read More »
