On January 16, Franciscans celebrate the feast of St. Berard and four friar companions, the first martyrs of the Order, who were beheaded in Morocco on this date in 1220.
The Franciscan world was saddened during this joyous season by the sudden death on December 21 of one of the major scholars of our intellectual-spiritual tradition, Fr. Michael Blastic, OFM. Fr. Michael, a much-loved friar, was Distinguished Visiting Professor of Franciscan Studies at the Franciscan School of Theology in San Diego, California.
On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the St Francis and the "Nativity scene of Greccio", the Apostolic Penitentiary granted a plenary indulgence to all the faithful who, from 8 December 2023 to 2 February 2024, visit a Nativity scene in a church entrusted to Franciscans all over the world.
To foster faith sharing among the Franciscan family and engagement with our Franciscan intellectual-spiritual tradition, CFIT has developed a series of short videos for use during Advent.
This article examines the 1223 events at Greccio and brings attention to the frequently overlooked collaboration of laity and the broader participation of the natural world.
On September 26, Franciscans remember the martyr St. Damian, patron of the small church in Assisi so central in Franciscan history, but we also celebrate St. Elzéar of Sabran (1285-1323) and his wife, Blessed Delphine of Glandèves (1284-1358), committed Secular Franciscans.
