The San Damiano Cross is very significant to Franciscans. It’s a symbol with a great deal of meaning that’s part of our identity. If you know someone with this cross in their home they’re very likely to be a Secular Franciscan! This Byzantine style cross takes its name from the small church at San […]
Here’s a music video by Shane & Shane from their Album “Psalms II” – this track is based on Psalm 46. Probably the best known quote from this Psalm is found in its tenth verse “Be Still and Know that I am God”. In this reworking the words become “The one who calms the wind […]
Advent – the hope of all hopes. Our celebration of Christmas should be about the day Earth’s humanity met with Heaven’s Divinity. ‘The Word made flesh and dwelt amongst us’. It wasn’t just the fact that Jesus came to Earth, it was the way he did it. The Isle of Wight Franciscan Group met on […]
Participating in the Franciscan life of the OFS brings rich and abundant blessings; blessings that come from being part of a community dedicated to following the Gospel of Christ in the footsteps of our spiritual father, Saint Francis of Assisi. The local Fraternity can be likened to the early Christian communities who “…remained faithful to […]
This version of All Creatures of Our God and King based on The Canticle of the Creatures, sometimes called The Canticle of Sir Brother Sun, has some wonderful scenery of Assisi and is sung by All Sons & Daughters. To read more about the history of this canticle and Psalm 148 which may have been […]
“The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal were founded out of a desire to work more decisively for personal and communal reform. We follow our Lord in our life of prayer together, in our life of community together and also we follow the Lord and serve the poor by going out like Jesus asked to bring […]
During 1209 Francis composed his first Rule that he and the Friars should follow. As a group of twelve the early friars travelled from Assisi to Rome during 1209 or 1210 seeking an audience with Pope Innocent III in the hope that he would approve their way of life. This first rule consisting of Gospel […]
On the road leading to the main square of Krakow Wawel Castle, is the 13th Century church of Saint Francis. St. Francis’ Basilica (Bazylika Św. Franciszka), Krakow, Poland – Also known as the Franciscan Church. Click photo for full length image depicting St Francis receiving the Stigmata at Mount La Verna in 1224 The above […]
To live in the spirit of the Beatitudes, in humility, gentleness and simplicity is counter-cultural to all the messages of today’s society. Our world of consumerism tells us that life can only be complete when we focus purely on our individual needs and comforts. Life becomes about “must-haves”, a display of the labels we wear, the […]
The Saints of Assisi, Francis and Clare, both loved Mary with such devotion and affection, in her they saw Our Mother, Our Comforter and Our Queen. ‘… May you too cling to His most sweet mother who gave birth to a Son Whom the heavens could not contain …So you too by following in her […]
During the Autumn of 1205 at the age of 23 Giovanni “Francesco” Bernardino knelt before the Orthodox style cross in the small tumbled-down church of San Damiano. As his eyes gazed up what would he see? As his soul opened to God what words would he hear? Francis was born into wealth and had a […]
The Isle of Wight Franciscan Group consists of professed OFS members, enquirers, visitors and other faithful people from across the Island seeking guidance and encouragement on their spiritual journey, whilst giving help and support to everyone in the group. You are more than welcome to join the monthly meetings or to come along to those […]
In his book “The Soul’s Journey into God” [1259] also known as “The Mind’s Road to God” Saint Bonaventure tells us that the “eyes of our souls” should be opened and enlightened so “to guide our feet in the way of that peace which surpasses all understanding”. Within the book’s opening chapter we become aware […]
There’s a lot of praising in Psalm 148. Everything created is offering a chorus of praise to its Designer, and we as God’s Created Ones should never forget to give Him honour and thanks for the beauty of living in our world, on His planet – with shining stars above and muddy, life giving, earth […]