Order of Friars Minor
The Order of the Friars Minor is composed of friars, who are incorporated in Provinces and Custodies and governed by the Minister General with his Definitory (Council) The Rule of the Friars Minor confirmed by Pope Honorius III (1223) is the basis of the life and the laws of the Order.
The Order is present in 110 countries and is organized in 103 Provinces, 8 autonomous Cutodies, 14 dependent Custodies, 20 Foundations and 1 Federation. The Provinces and autonomous Custodies are governed respectively by the Provincial Minister and his Definitory, by the Custodian and his Council, elected by the Provincial or Custodial Chapter. The Provinces of one or more geographical areas form a Conference. In the Order of Friars Minor there are 14 Conferences of Provincial Ministers.
Fr. Michael Perry ofm is the New Minister General
Br. Michael Anthony Perry has been elected as Minister General of the Franciscan Order ‘ad complendum sexennium’. Born in Indianapolis (USA) in 1954, Br. Michael was serving as Vicar General of the Order. He was Minister Provincial of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Province (USA). He served his Province in Theological Formation, Post-Novitiate Formation, International JPIC work and for ten years he worked in the Missions (Democratic Republic of Congo). He served also with the Catholic Relief Services and in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. (more…)
The General Definitorium thanks Br. José
Dear Br. José,
During the Octave of Easter, while the universal Church raised the joyous song of Alleluia, the voice of Pope Francis called you to be Archbishop Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. (more…)
Letter to all of the Brothers of the Order of Friars Minor
Dear Brothers,
May the peace and joy of the risen Lord Jesus be with you!
In recent weeks, we have followed narratives of the resurrection appearances in the Gospel of St. Luke. One of those stories tells of two disheartened disciples who were met on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus by a stranger who did not seem to know about the events that had transpired in the life of Jesus. Cleophas and the other disciple asked the stranger in frustration, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place in these days?” St. Luke makes abundantly clear that these two disciples of Jesus did not understand the deeper meaning of Jesus’ suffering and death until he opened their eyes in the sharing of the Word and the breaking of the bread. (more…)
English Speaking Conference in Malta
From the 8th to the 12th April 2013, the English Speaking Conference (ESC) of the Order of Friars Minor had their Spring meeting at the Porziuncola Retreat House in Baħar ic-Cagħaq, Malta. The ESC is formed by the North American OFM Provinces, the Irish OFM Province, the UK OFM Province, the Lithuanian OFM Province and the Maltese OFM Province. (more…)
Meeting of the Commission for Contemplation
From February 25 – 28, 2013, the Friars of the Order, who are members of the Commission for Contemplation, gathered in the General Curia. The members are as follows: Br. Julio Cesar Bunader, Definitor General (Argentina), Br. Bienvenido Baisas (Philippines), Br. Eugenio Barelli (Italy), Br. André Cirino (United States), and Br. Mihael S. Vovk (Slovenia). (more…)
President of Ireland visits Collegio S. Isidoro
On Friday, 8th February 2013, the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, in the course of a formal visit to Italy, paid a brief visit to Collegio S. Isidoro, in Rome. The college was founded by the Irish Franciscan, Luke Wadding, in 1625 for the training of friars for the mission in Ireland and as a centre of theological research. (more…)
THANK YOU HOLY FATHER
On the 11th of this month, while visiting the Province of Michoacán (Mexico), about 4 AM, through a call from my personal secretary, I learned of the resignation of the Pope as Bishop of Rome and Successor of St. Peter. I confess that the news caused me great sadness. Today, at a distance of two days, and now back in Rome, I respect that decision with much admiration. How much humility, freedom, responsibility involved! How much love for the Church! THANK YOU, HOLY FATHER. (more…)
Interdisciplinary Study of the OFM
On Friday, February 1, 2013, at the headquarters of the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome, the International Commission for the Interdisciplinary Study of the Franciscan Order met in order to suggest strategies for evangelization (Mandate 14 of the Document of the OFM General Chapter of Assisi in 2009). (more…)
New General Delegate pro monialibus
My name is Fr Fernando Mendoza Laguna. I was born on 30th April 1947 in Juventino Rosas, Gto., Mexico. I am a member of the Province of Saints Peter and Paul, of Michoacán. I entered the Seraphic College on 5th February 1962, went into the novitiate on 27th August 1966, making first profession on 28th August 1967, and solemn profession on 20th July 1973. I was ordained on 29th June 1974. (more…)
The New Provincial Ministers’ pilgrimage to the Valley of Rieti
On Jan. 19, the new Provincial Ministers, who are participating in the meeting with the Minister General and his Definitory went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Valley of Rieti, accompanied by the Minister General and several members of the General Definitory. (more…)
Next LIVE events
26.05.2013, 09:00 CET:
Mass of Sending of new missionaries.
Formation & Missions
