IFC-TOR · International Conference of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular

At our last council meeting, we discussed the theme for the next issue of Propositum, which will be published on-line in late March/early April. In incorporating the celebrations of the 800^th anniversary of the Rule of St. Francis and the first Christmas celebration at Greccio, the theme for the Propositum will be “How living the Rule of St. Francis today brings Christ to Life in our world”. Please send your articles / reflecting the personal experiences by January 31, 2023.

Starting next year, we will begin the celebration of the Franciscan Centenary, which will run from 2023, with the commemoration of the approval of the Later Rule and the Christmas of Greccio, through 2024 (Stigmata), 2025 (Canticle of Brother Sun) and culminate in 2026, with the centenary of his "transitus" from earth to heaven. A joint celebration of the six Ministers General of the Franciscan Family it will take place in Greccio on 7 January 2023 at 11 a.m.

Prepared by Kathleen Moffatt OSF - Sponsored by Sisters of St Francis of Philadelphia, Aston, PA • 2022

Representing thirty-seven countries on five continents: one hundred and ninety Superiors General with the T.O.R. Rule Work Group (incl. Margaret Carney osf and Thaddeus Horgan SA) at back of group with Sister Rose Cecilia and others were received by Pope John Paul II in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, March, 1982.
These members of the Rome Assembly, March 1-10, 1982, approved the new T.O.R. Rule.

“A Sacred Exchange of Desires, Commitments, and Prophetic Convictions”

Penitential Spirituality in the Franciscan Sources - Lino Temperini TOR. The Assisi Congress on Formation, 1977

For the sisters and brothers of the Third Order of Saint Francis the charism of penance is a LOVE must be responded to! This is the uncomplicated substance of Franciscan spirituality.

As we are gathered together in the city of St. Francis on the occasion of his feast, we send you our heartfelt request to stay attentive to the issue of peace at this very difficult time for humanity. We want to express our deeply felt concern for peace... “Nothing is lost with peace. Everything may be lost with war"

[This letter is published on the site in the following languages: ENGLISH, ITALIAN and SPANISH]

La Festa di San Francesco raduna ad Assisi tanti fratelli e sorelle della Famiglia Francescana. Vengono ad Assisi anche i Ministri generali che di solito colgono questa occasione per organizzare le sessioni di lavoro della Conferenza dei Ministri generali del Primo Ordine Francescano e del TOR, ed anche della Conferenza della Famiglia Francescana. Il raduno della Conferenza della Famiglia Francescana si è svolto nella mattinata del 03 ottobre 2022, presso la Domus Laetitiae. I Ministri hanno incontrato i membri della International Board of Directors della Franciscans International, hanno incontrato i membri del Comitato che si occupa della preparazione del Centenario francescano e hanno discusso il tema delle iniziative comuni per la GMG che si svolgerà a Lisbona prossimo anno.
Alla fine dell'incontro si è parlato della pace nel mondo, e i Ministri generali hanno proposto a tutti i membri della Famiglia francescana la preghiera e il digiuno come iniziativa comune (vedi la lettera in allegato).

The Feast of St. Francis is always a day of great rejoicing as we remember the life of our holy patron. This year, as we celebrate, amidst the confusion of a world that has strayed far from the values of Christianity, we remember our father, Francis, and recognize that his world had similar troubles. The wars in varied countries, especially in Ukraine, the political unrest, the religious persecutions, the environmental catastrophes, all speak of a world that is not at peace and has limited joy. The next few years in our Franciscan family, we are planning a number of celebrations as we prepare for the 800th centenary of some special Franciscan events. In 2023, we will be celebrating the 800th anniversary of the first Nativity scene at Greccio and the first Rule of St. Francis.

Francis of Assisi exhorts us to have peace so deeply within our hearts that it overflows in our words and actions, and all will be moved to peace. Pope Francis says the same in another way, praying and calling all to “demilitarize our hearts.” These days of conflict and war in Ukraine shout out to us that peace begins and continues in the heart of each person. As followers of the man of Gospel peace, let us, led by his inspiration, be shining lights of the hope of peace, in whatever way God’s holy Spirit leads us to work to bring about peace within and without.