From November 15 to 22, 2008, the Secular Franciscan Order will celebrate its twelfth General Chapter in Hungary. This Chapter will be an elective chapter and will conclude the two-year period designated to mark the 8^th Centenary of the birth of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. The central theme of the Chapter will be on the profession of Secular Franciscans and their sense of belonging to the Secular Franciscan Order.

During the past two years, Secular Franciscans have been invited to deepen their knowledge of St. Elizabeth and to reflect on the roots of the Secular Franciscan Order and, more specifically, on their vocation as Secular Franciscans. The General Chapter will continue this reflection on St. Elizabeth who dedicated her life to serving the poor and who is recognized as the patroness of the Third Order, Secular and Regular. Elizabeth had a profound confidence in God’s will and was able to see it in the events of her life; her example should stimulate Secular Franciscans to recognize God’s plan in the events of their own lives, a plan that is full of love, even during times of difficulty and suffering. Today, Elizabeth continues to challenge us to reflect on our state in life, married or single, on our family life, on our professional work and on our social engagements, so that we may follow a path that leads to Christian perfection by adhering obediently to our vocational call. The life of our holy patroness and her Franciscan spirit provides an inspiring example for us to imitate. Elizabeth invites us, by living our secular and Franciscan identity, to offer our lives in response to the signs of our time, with a continuous spirit of conversion and moved to give an active response to the requirements of our Rule (4) to "go from Gospel to life and from life to Gospel".

When the Secular Franciscan Order assembles in a General Chapter, it will represent a body composed of some 430,000 professed Secular Franciscans, present in over 100 countries world-wide, and also including over 50,000 Franciscan Youth. In Chapter, representatives of the Secular Franciscan Order from around the world will reflect on the manner in which Secular Franciscans can accomplish, in time and in history, the mission that the San Damiano Crucifix entrusted to St. Francis to "Go and rebuild my Church". At the heart of accomplishing this mission will be the development, in every part of the world, of a deep sense of belonging and a living awareness of the grace of profession that has made us Franciscan, fully realizing our Baptismal vocation and introducing us into the body of the Secular Franciscan Order and of the entire Franciscan Family. This is also a time when all Secular Franciscans are invited to reflect on these themes. How does our profession and sense of belonging to the Order, surpassing boundaries of states, of languages, or social classes and of cultures, engage us into a unified body for the spreading of the Gospel and the rebuilding of the Church and of the world?

During the General Chapter, capitulars will have the opportunity of reviewing the work that the Presidency Council has undertaken during the past six years, of developing priorities for the next six years, and of electing a new Presidency Council who will guide the International Fraternity for the next six years. Let us pray with one voice within the National Fraternity of Canada that the Spirit of God will bless the Secular Franciscan Order during its upcoming General Chapter.

Most High Glorious God, we praise You for Your presence in the world and for the tremendous gift of our Franciscan vocation. We beseech You to inspire every brother and sister of the Secular Franciscan Order as we prepare for the upcoming General Chapter in Hungary. Grant the necessary wisdom to our brothers and sisters who will take part in the Chapter to develop the priorities for the Order for the next six years and to elect those You want to lead and animate us. Guide and direct us so that we may follow the Gospel and our Rule more closely and be co-workers with You in the rebuilding of the Church and the World. We ask this through Christ our Lord and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis, St. Clare, and our holy patrons, St. Elizabeth and St. Louis. Amen.

Prepared by
Doug Clorey
Presidency Councillor
English-Speaking Nations, Europe and North America