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Canonization of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros

On 25 February 2025, Pope Francis announced that José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, a doctor, scientist, and man of deep faith, known as the “Doctor of the Poor, will be canonized. A date for the celebration is expected to be determined in the coming months. The canonization of José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros is a significant event …

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Angela Salawa

March 2025: Blessed Angela (Aniela) Salawa (1881-1922) – (March 12)

Blessed Angela Salawa, the youngest of ten children of Bartholomew and Eve Salawa, was born on September 9, 1881. The large family, despite owning a farm and earning an income from blacksmithing, led a very modest life, often on the verge of extreme poverty. However, they never lacked faith and piety. It was a family …

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Martyrs Museum in Nagasaki

February 2025: Japanese Franciscan Tertiaries – Martyrs (Feb. 6)

Christianity was introduced to Japan in the sixteenth century by Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries, resulting in approximately 300,000 baptized believers by century’s end. This promising beginning faced setbacks due to rivalries among missionaries and political intrigues from the Spanish and Portuguese, as well as power struggles within the Japanese government, resulting in the suppression of …

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praying collage

2025 Prayer Campaign for Vocations

Join the prayer for new vocations to the Secular Franciscan Order! The prayer campaign is initiated by the Commission for the Promotion of Vocations under the Presidency. 2025 Prayer Campaign (PDF)

Opening of the Eighth Centenary of the Canticle of Brother Sun

In 2025, we will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the composition of the Canticle of Brother Sun. In the spring of 1225, shortly after his experience at La Verna, St. Francis of Assisi chose to spend fifty days at the Monastery of San Damiano, where St. Clare and the first Poor Sisters lived. During his …

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Monthly Prayer Intentions for 2025

OFS-YOUFRA MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTIONS (PDF) To emphasize communion with the Pope, we offer the Holy Father’s intention for the month and an intention for the OFS according to the life and important events of the Order. The local fraternities pray for both. 2025 January For the right to education. Let us pray that migrants, refugees …

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