International Franciscan Conference of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular · IFC-TOR
International Franciscan Conference of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular · IFC-TOR
“Franciscans: Repairing the World, Repairing the house”
NEWS in the spotlight
2026 – VIII Centenary “TRANSIT OF SAINT FRANCIS”
The celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Easter of Francis of Assisi invites us to contemplate our life, both personally and as a Franciscan Family, with the eyes of faith, and by doing so, perceive the divine presence and action in everything, even in the difficult and dramatic situations we have experienced or are experiencing now.
It is an opportunity to thank God for all the gifts he has bestowed on us, particularly for the gift of Francis of Assisi and his evangelical life, which has become our charism, articulated in different nuances of discipleship and apostolate, and which today still has the strength to call out to women and men of all cultures, both inside and outside the Catholic Church.
2025 – VIII Centenary “CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN”
In 2025 we celebrate the eighth centenary of the composition of the Canticle of Brother Sun.
Francis of Assisi, in the spring of 1225, a few months after his experience at La Verna, wanted to spend a period of fifty days at the monastery of San Damiano, where Clare and the first poor sisters lived.
During that stay at San Damiano, after a night troubled by the pains of his illnesses but also visited by the Lord, who had given him the certainty of his love and salvation, Francis composed that hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God, which we all know.
As with past centennials, this year there will be a celebration of the entire Franciscan Family to officially inaugurate the centennial.
Photo Gallery - Opening Centenary / 2025
© Sala Stampa Sacro Convento
Theme and Logo for the General Assembly 2025
In the midst of the 800 year anniversary of Francis’ Canticle of Creation, we will meet as the international Franciscan Conference of the Third Order Regular to look anew at Christ’s challenge to Francis to Repair His House.
Recalling Pope Francis’ challenge of Laudato Si’, we extend that message to include repairing the world.
Through reflection and sharing on the theme: “Franciscans, Repair my World” the General Assembly 2025 is an opportunity to come together as sisters and brothers of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis to deepen within us the basic Franciscan values as we are challenged to live them today.
Timeline Franciscan Centenaries
Save the DATE
Multimedia
Live Streaming - Opening Centenaries
Tribute at the tomb of Saint Francis
The Franciscan Centenary
The Franciscan centenary is a journey that we have decided to begin in order for the entire Franciscan family throughout the world to celebrate together the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’ Easter and the culminating events of the last years of his life. Said Centenary has been divided into 4 Centenaries, respectively spread over 4 years where it will be possible to reflect and contemplate the Rule and Christmas in Greccio (1223-2023), the gift of the Stigmata (1224-2024), the Canticle of the Creatures (1225- 2025), the Easter of Francis of Assisi (1226-2026).
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Previous EVENTS
FRANCESCO HA GLI OCCHI TUOI / January - December 2026
A short film recalling the days of the Franciscans gathering in Assisi
Council LETTERS
Dear Brothers and Sisters of IFC-TOR,
On December 24, 2024 at 7 p.m., with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s
Square, the Jubilee Year officially opened and will end on January 6, 2026. The Jubilee was a great sign of hope, a time of grace. For us Franciscans even more so: 2026 marks the eighth centenary of the death of St Francis, a special centenary in which we commemorate particular events in the life of our Seraphic Father. The Franciscan Family Committee, responsible for organising the programmes for this event, proposes that we celebrate the various anniversaries both in our own fraternities and with all the other Franciscan communities in the area. The opening of the centenary will be in Assisi on January 10, 2026.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ,
The recurrence of the ‘Franciscan Jubilees’ is an extraordinary event of grace that this year includes
the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures (2025) and that of Francis’ Easter (2026). With the
Canticle, nourished by prayer, inspired by the biblical psalms and generated by his heart capable of seeing
and observing with his eyes the beauty of every animate and inanimate creature, Francis first says an
“amen”, a “yes” to life and to this world, then praises and thanks his Lord, whom he calls with confidence
and love “my Lord”, my Lord.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Pax et Bonum!
As we look at our world today, it is sometimes easy to forget that God is with us and it is even easier to lose hope. Yet this Holy Year of Jubilee encourages us to be “Pilgrims of Hope” and the Year of the 800th commemoration of the Canticle of Creation reminds us that we are called to be the countercultural signs of Gratitude, Hope and Joy today. In this Year of Jubilee, may the message of hope, given to us by the Resurrection inflame within us the burning desire to be Pilgrims of Hope to the world.
COMMUNICATIONS Members
In total, there were 22 members of the Franciscan Family. Every morning, we met to plan the day ahead and decide who would attend which session or conference. In the evening, after dinner, we gathered to share what we had experienced during the day. Sometimes, it was simply fulfilling to go to the People’s Summit and mingle with the local indigenous people, sharing in their way of life through conversation, dancing, mini interviews and taking pictures.
An Invitation to Prayer and Ecological Conversion as the World Community Gathers at COP 30 in Belem, Brazil.
Brothers and Sisters, May the Lord give you peace!
In the spirit of the 800 th Anniversary of the Canticle of Creatures, we, your Ministers General and President, invite the Franciscan family to join with us in prayer as the global community prepares to meet in Belem, Brazil, November 10-21, 2025, at the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention (COP-30).
On its concluding day, the Jubilee for Consecrated Life turned its focus to Peace. Following a day dedicated to Hope, participants gathered in the Paul VI Hall to address the critical need for peacemakers in an age of widespread conflict.
Franciscans International Board of Directors meet twice a year: in the first half of the year in Geneva, Switzerland and the last half of the year in New York, USA, unless otherwise. The two countries are chosen because that is where Franciscans International have their offices respectively. This year from the 17th-19th April 2024, I attended a workshop organized by our staff of the Franciscans International on human rights concerns, in Santa Maria di Angeli in Assisi. This meeting in Assisi attracted religious brothers and sisters, and the laity who work with migrants as well as for the protection of the rights of people deprived of their liberty.
(Sr. Charity Katongo Nkandu)
Contribution for FRANCISCAN STUDY
Resource Manual for the Study of the TOR Rule
The TOR Manual as a study on the Rule, presents the essentials of a Story that can only be called a “chronicle of grace.” It is the response to the 2009 proposal from the IFC assembly that resources on the Rule “be updated and new ones created, published and made known for initial and ongoing formation.”
Introduction
SUMMARY
Penitential Movement
SUMMARY
History and Development
SUMMARY
Rule and Franciscan Spirituality
SUMMARY
Commentary on the 1982 Rule
SUMMARY
Ten and Twenty-Five Years Later
SUMMARY
CD — Four Values of the Rule with sheet music
SUMMARY
Comprehensive Bibliography
SUMMARY
Third Order Saints
SUMMARY
Appendix
SUMMARY
Franciscan Music — Four Values of TOR Rule
The CD Audio of the Manual TOR
Guide for the Study of the Encyclical FRATELLI TUTTI
The guide is a cooperative venture of several Franciscan organizations. It can be used with small or large groups and for personal reflection. You are free to print it for others who prefer a printed text and to share the URL where you found the guide. This guide is free and serves as an overview to the chapter featured but cannot in the space available do justice to the richness of each chapter.
AUTHOR
TITLE
Summary and quotes from the Encyclical
AUTHOR
TITLE
Dark Clouds A Closed World – Summary and quotes from the Encyclical
AUTHOR
TITLE
A Stranger on the Road
AUTHOR
TITLE
Envisaging and Engendering an Open World
AUTHOR
TITLE
A Heart Open to the Whole World
AUTHOR
TITLE
A Better Kind of Politics
AUTHOR
TITLE
Dialogue and Friendship in Society
AUTHOR
TITLE
Paths of Renewed Encounter
AUTHOR
TITLE
Religions at the Service of Fraternity in Our World
Periodical PROPOSITUM
Latest Issue / 2025 N. 2
Franciscans: Repairing the World, Repairing the house
Summary
Previous Issue / 2025 N. 1
Franciscans Repair My World
Summary
Previous Issue / 2024 N. 2
″Praised Be You, My Lord Care for Our Common Home‶
Summary
TAU Series
Number and Theme of the Publication
Full List of Published Issues
FRANCISCAN FAMILY / CFF
ORGANIZATIONS / OFFICES
FRANCISCAN REFLECTION
Prayer before the Crucifix
“Most high, glorious God,
Enlighten the darkness of my heart
And give me righteous faith,
certain hope and perfect charity,
wisdom and ability to understand
And serve your will.
Amen.”
