Secular Franciscan Order - National Fraternity of Canada

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Welcome to the National Fraternity of Secular Franciscans of Canada!

Secular Franciscans strive to live their lives according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as St. Francis of Assisi did in the early 12th century, in simplicity, fraternal love and repentance, with a particular focus on the poor of the world.

The National Fraternity boundaries comprise the boundaries of our great country, Canada, with Regional Fraternities in the West, Central Ontario, Québec and the Eastern Provinces. The local fraternities which make up the Regional Fraternities include brothers and sisters from many walks of life, cultures and language groups.

Becoming a Secular Franciscan requires about two years of formation and a permanent commitment to fraternal life. For more information on the Secular Franciscan way of life, click on the title in the menu above.

National Spiritual Conference 2013

Faith in Christ following the footsteps of Francis in our world.

The National Spiritual Conference took place in Lorretteville, QC from October 25 to the 27th, 2013.

The Spiritual Conference Animator was Deacon Maurice Prindiville, ofs. See presentation materials and photos of the conference under “National Spiritual Conferences”.

NEW! National Logo

The newly designed National Logo is now in use and on the web-site! The logo has been converted to a simplified TAU rather than the coat of arms, still on a maple leaf background to represent our citizenship in Canada. Thanks go to Stéphanie Larocque for the design!

The International Fraternity

Beginning April 25th, 2014, Secular Franciscans across the globe will be commemorating the 800th Anniversary of the death of St. Louis XIV, patron of the OFS. Ongoing formation materials for this occasion will be available on the CIOFS web-site in the new year.

Month of November

Please remember our members who have gone to the Lord, and their families and friends who grieve them.

We thank them for their commitment to the Franciscan way of life, for their love, their example and their prayers. May God grant them eternal peace and joy!

Debbie Tessier, ofs, Minister

The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in Canada is the organic union of all the local fraternities across the country grouped into regional Fraternities.

The purpose of the National Fraternity is :

To foster communion and cooperation among the fraternities in Canada.
To be a link between the Regional Fraternities and the International Fraternity.
To nurture growth in the Franciscan and ecclesial life of the members.
To make present in the life and mission of the Church the charism of our Seraphic Father.
To provide a forum for discussion of common goals and problems.
To represent Secular Franciscans, at the National level, in their associations with church or civil organizations and to promote mutual relationships with other such organizations where appropriate.

For more information contact the
National fraternity of Canada

information@ofsnational.ca

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT HOAX E-MAIL THAT HAS CIRCULATED IN THE PAST: Dear members of council and regional ministers, There is a hoax e-mail circulating, and you may have received something from an e-mail that looks something like my address, from a John Hyde from Tasmania, asking for money to come to Canada for his sister's funeral. Gilles also received it and informed me of its nature. This was not sent by me, and I strongly recommend that you pass this information on to anyone of your contacts who may have received a similar request and discourage anyone from taking any action.

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