ARTICLES
800 years on, St Francis’ tunic returns to Egypt
"A chance to follow in St Francis' steps": Eight centuries after the Italian holy man visited Egypt, his relics make a return. When Saint Francis made his renowned journey to Egypt in 1219, he was wearing the humble tunic which went on to become characteristic of his...
Young people of St. Francis look to a better world
Amid celebrations for the eighth centenary of St. Francis of Assisi's stigmata, hundreds of young people gather in Florence until Sunday to look at the future through the eyes of the great saint. Young people gathered in Florence, Italy, are trying to fully perceive...
The presence of God in all creation
Late in his life, and approaching “Sister Death”, Francis wrote a piece of poetic praise to the God he knew was present to him in all of creation. This renowned piece is a beautiful hymn of praise that Franciscans have treasured throughout the centuries. It is also an...
The Five Lents of Francis
The early sources about the life of Francis mention five “Lents”. A Lent to prepare for Easter and one for Christmas For 40 days before Easter, Francis observed the “Great Lent”, what we know as Lent today. Francis observed a similar period of 40 days of fasting and...
Learning from Blessed Gabriele Allegra
On the day of our Custody’s autonomy, 25 April 2023, OFM Minister General Friar Massimo Fusarelli presented me with a relic of Blessed Gabriele Allegra, who was named as the copatron of our Custody, together with St Anthony of Padua. It was such a precious gift. This...
Plenary Indulgence on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the “Nativity scene at Greccio”
From the 8th December 2023 till the 2nd February 2024 in every Franciscan church On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the "Nativity scene of Greccio", the Apostolic Penitentiary granted a plenary indulgence to all the faithful who, from 8 December 2023...
‘Regula Bullata’: Franciscans celebrate 800 years of evangelical creativity
As the Franciscan family celebrates the 800th anniversary of the Rule of St. Francis on 29 November, Fr. Luke Gregory of the Custody of the Holy Land reflects on the evangelical creativity and freshness that the ‘Regula Bullata’ represents for the entire Church. In...
Pope encourages Franciscans to live out their charism in the world
As the Franciscan Family marks the 8th Centenary of the confirmation of the Rule of St. Francis, on 29 November 1223, Pope Francis invites Franciscan friars and sisters to renew their vocation of bringing the Gospel of poverty and fraternity to today’s world. Pope...
Hearts Filled with Grace and Gratitude
Dearest Family and Friends, I’m home! I penned this message in Assisi, and yes, I fondly call Assisi “home”. There is such a feeling of right-ness whenever I am in this sacred town where St Francis, the little poor man (Il Poverello), was born, lived and loved, and...
A Franciscan pilgrimage of faith and discovery
A week before the World Youth Day event in Lisbon, a group of pilgrims from Singapore embarked on a spiritual journey to Assisi. Led by three Franciscan Friars, this Franciscan pilgrimage from 24 to 31 July was a profound quest by the pilgrims to deepen their faith...