OFS SG - Secular Franciscans

16/08/2026

Peace and all good!

The St. Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity gathered for our monthly meeting at St. Anthony's Friary in Singapore this August.

It was a beautiful day filled with prayer, community fellowship, and deep spiritual growth. A vital part of our gathering was the formation session for our wonderful observers and inquirers.

Formation is the heartbeat of our fraternity—it is the dedicated time where those discerning their call walk alongside us to learn more about Franciscan spirituality, our rule of life, and how to live the Gospel in the modern world.

We are so blessed to accompany them on this journey of faith!

People often ask why fraternity is so important to us. As Secular Franciscans, fraternity is not just a monthly club; it is our spiritual family. St. Francis reminded us that we are called to live the Gospel in community. It is within the fraternity that we support one another through life's trials, and encourage each other's spiritual growth.

We aren't meant to walk this path alone, and our fraternity is the safe harbour where we experience true Christian brotherhood and sisterhood.

True to our tradition of celebrating life together, we also honoured our members who have birthdays this month! In our fraternity, we make it a point to celebrate birthdays every single month to ensure that every brother and sister knows they are valued, loved, and seen.

Happy birthday to our celebrants! May the Lord bless you abundantly with good health, joy, and His everlasting peace in the year ahead.

Thank you to everyone who attended, shared, and contributed to making our gathering so warm and meaningful.

16/08/2026

Happy Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Today, the Roman Catholic community in Singapore—including the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS)—unites in joy to celebrate Mother Mary being taken body and soul into heaven.

For Franciscans, this feast is deeply personal. Did you know St. Francis of Assisi named Mother Mary the Protectress and Advocate of the entire Franciscan family?

Here is why she is so central to the Franciscan way of life:

The Birthplace: St. Francis started his order at the Portiuncula, a tiny chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels near Assisi, Italy. Mary literally gave the Franciscans their first home!

The Ultimate Model: In the Secular Franciscan Rule, Mary is the ultimate blueprint. She shows lay Catholics how to listen to God’s word and live out the Gospel with radical humility in everyday family and work life.

The Franciscan Crown: Franciscans love to pray a unique 7-decade rosary celebrating the "Seven Joys of Mary"—with her glorious Assumption and Coronation as the final, beautiful joy.

Through her prayers, may we learn to say "yes" to God just as she did.

Holy Mary, pray for us!

15/08/2026

The OFS Singapore National Assembly gathered members on August 8, 2026, at St Anthony Friary, focusing on spiritual renewal through interior conversion and Franciscan charism.

Led by Friar Derrick Yap OFM, the assembly addressed key matters including fraternity life, data protection, and plans to revive the St. Bonaventure Fraternity, while emphasizing continued, structured formation.

You can read the full report on the Secular Franciscan Order Singapore website - https://secularfranciscansg.com/2026/08/14/renewal-begins-in-the-heart/

14/08/2026

Did you know that St. Maximilian Kolbe was a Franciscan?

Today, August 14th, we celebrate the feast day of this incredible saint! Long before his ultimate sacrifice in Auschwitz, he lived out the Gospel as a Conventual Franciscan friar.

St. Maximilian truly embodied the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. He had a deep, burning love for the Blessed Mother and used modern media—like newspapers and radio—to spread God's love to the world, even founding a large monastery called the "City of the Immaculata.

"His Franciscan vocation of love reached its peak in the darkness of a concentration camp. When a prisoner, a husband and father, was condemned to death, Father Kolbe bravely stepped forward to take his place. He showed the world the ultimate expression of Franciscan charity: giving up his life for his brother.

As Secular Franciscans here in Singapore, let us look to our brother Maximilian. May his courage inspire us to bring Christ’s light into the difficult areas of our own life today.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

https://secularfranciscansg.com/2026/08/14/st-maximilian-kolbe-a-witness-of-charity-for-the-franciscan-family/

11/08/2026

Happy Feast Day of St. Clare of Assisi.

Today, our Secular Franciscan Order family celebrates the beautiful feast of St. Clare, a radiant light of gospel simplicity.

As Secular Franciscans, we look to St. Clare’s radical devotion to Lady Poverty, her profound love for the Eucharist, and her unwavering trust in God's providence.

She famously reminded us to "Place your mind before the mirror of eternity"—a powerful call for us living in the secular world to reflect Christ daily.

We send an extra special greeting today to our brothers and sisters in the St. Clare Fraternity right here in Singapore! May your fraternity continue to be a beacon of St. Clare’s peace, joy, and contemplative spirit in our local community.

Let us pray today for all Franciscan hearts, that we may live out our vocation with the same courage St. Clare showed when she left everything behind to follow Christ.

St. Clare of Assisi, pray for our fraternities, pray for our Order, and pray for us!

Find out more about St. Clare on our website.

https://secularfranciscansg.com/2026/08/11/st-clare-of-assisi-a-light-for-the-franciscan-family/

27/07/2026

Welcoming Our New Inquirers!

On Sunday, 19 July 2026, the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity joyfully welcomed eight individuals into the Inquiry Stage of their Secular Franciscan journey.

These individuals are beginning a deeper exploration into the Gospel life of St. Francis of Assisi.

To mark this special milestone, the fraternity hosted a small ceremony followed by a warm tea reception to celebrate and welcome them into our community.

Please keep these eight Inquirers in your daily prayers as they discern their vocation to go "from Gospel to life and life to the Gospel."

https://secularfranciscansg.com/2026/07/27/welcoming-8-new-inquirers/

07/06/2026

03/04/2026

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world

22/12/2025

St Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity, together with fellow Secular Franciscans and friends, joyfully celebrated the spirit of Christmas singing carols with residents at a nursing home. Together as one fraternity family, adults and children alike, we shared laughter and moments of Yuletide joy🎄

19/12/2025

“Be praised, O Lord, for blessing the Secular Franciscan Order with new professed members—Angelo, Jeremy, Pauline, Ritcheil, and Gaily—from the St Margaret of Cortona Fraternity.

They have responded to the call to live the Gospel and bring the Gospel to life, following Christ in the footsteps of St Francis and guided by the inspiration of St Clare.

We pray that they deepen their faith, enkindle in them the desire for God and grant them the graces they need to live this life in the spirit of St Francis. “