CAUSE OF SAINTS

José_Gregorio_Hernández

THE BEATIFICATION OF DR. JOSÉ GREGORIO HERNÁNDEZ, member of the OFS Venezuela

The beatification of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, a Venezuelan physician (1864-1919) and member of the Secular Franciscan Order since 1899, will be celebrated on April 30, 2021. José Gregorio Hernandez is widely known, respected and venerated in many countries. A witness of holiness in his layman condition. He was a man full of virtues with … THE BEATIFICATION OF DR. JOSÉ GREGORIO HERNÁNDEZ, member of the OFS Venezuela Read More »...

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Photo from John Bradburne Memorial Society

Help us to drill water borehole in Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre, Zimbabwe

Mutemwa is a very special place situated in Mashonaland, in the Eastern Province of Zimbabwe where a Secular Franciscan from United Kingdom, John Bradburne, OFS, lived the last 10 years of his life, caring for the community there who were living with the devastating effects of leprosy. John was killed during the Zimbabwe independence war … Help us to drill water borehole in Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre, Zimbabwe Read More »...

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Swiss Secular Franciscan Is Canonized

Swiss Secular Franciscan Marguerite Bays was elevated to sainthood on Oct. 13, 2019, along with four others.  A native of Siviriez in the western Swiss canton of Fribourg, Bays belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi. Born in 1815, she was a laywoman from a farming background who dedicated herself to God. She worked as a seamstress, domestic help and … Swiss Secular Franciscan Is Canonized Read More »...

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Bust of Umiliana de' Cerchi

800th Anniversary of Blessed Umiliana de’ Cerchi in 2019

The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Umiliana de’ Cerchi, a Franciscan tertiary who lived and died in Florence, Italy (1219-1246). She was proclaimed blessed in 1694. Festivities took place throughout 2019, thanks to the Friars Minor Conventual at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence. The … 800th Anniversary of Blessed Umiliana de’ Cerchi in 2019 Read More »...

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Painting of Veronica Antal

Secular Franciscan is beatified – Veronica Antal of Romania

NISIPORESTI, ROMANIA — A 22-year-old Romanian Secular Franciscan – Veronica Antal – was beatified Sept. 23, 2018 as a “martyr to chastity,” six decades after she was murdered while fighting off a would-be rapist during the Communist-era repression of the Catholic Church. Catholic News Service reported that Cardinal Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Vatican Congregation … Secular Franciscan is beatified – Veronica Antal of Romania Read More »...

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image of Lucien Botovasoa in stage banner

Secular Franciscan is beatified – School teacher Lucien Botovasoa of Madagascar

The Secular Franciscan Order participated in all the preparatory phases of the beatification ceremony. For the great Franciscan family – 1,000 secular and religious — it was a moment to live fraternal joy in one communityduring three days of pilgrimage: 13, 14, 15 April 2018.  The pilgrimage began at a church near where Lucien lived … Secular Franciscan is beatified – School teacher Lucien Botovasoa of Madagascar Read More »...

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