St Mary of the Portiuncula Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order, Hanover Ma

10/04/2025

Today is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Blessing of St. Francis
May the Lord bless us and keep us.
May he show his face to us and have mercy on us.
May he turn his countenance toward us and give us peace.
May the Lord bless us.
(Secular Franciscan Companion, 51)

08/12/2025

Happy feast day of Saint Clare!

On August 11, the Franciscan family celebrates the feast of St. Clare of Assisi (1193-1253), the first woman to join Francis and his brothers in forging a new Gospel way of life.

For more background about the woman who referred to herself as "the little plant of St. Francis," see our blog: https://www.franciscantradition.org/blog/saint-clare-of-assisi-first-woman-to-join-saint-francis/

This year, to mark the 800th anniversary of Francis's final "Canticle of Exhortation" to Clare and her sisters, the General Ministers of the Friars Minor have issued a letter of exhortation to our Poor Clare Sisters today:https://ofm.org/uploads/LetteraSantaChiara_2025_EN.pdf

May all Franciscans continue to be inspired by the life and example of our holy Mother!!

Image: The monumental wooden altar piece or dossal, depicting scenes from the life of Clare (c.1280), hanging in the basilica of St. Clare in Assisi.

08/05/2025

This Thursday, please join St. Mary of the Portiuncula Secular Franciscans, Our Lady of the Angels Parish, and Cardinal Cushing Centers for our annual outdoor Mass to honor Our Lady of the Angels! The Mass will be held at the Portiuncula Chapel at Cardinal Cushing Centers at 6:30pm, with adoration and prayers beginning at 3pm.

05/09/2025

Archbishop Richard Henning today shared the following statement on the election of Pope Leo XIV:

"With great joy we received the news from Rome: habemus papam! We have a pope! I join with Catholics in the Archdiocese of Boston and throughout the world, along with people of good will, in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new Holy Father. We pray for him as he begins this ministry as the Vicar of Christ and the Bishop of Rome.

May he be for us a visible source and foundation of communion in faith.

In his first words to us, Pope Leo spoke of the peace that is the gift of the Lord Jesus:
Peace be with you all, this is the first greeting of the resurrected Christ, the good shepherd who has given up his life for the flock of God. And I should also like this greeting of peace to enter our hearts and our families. (Pope Leo XIV from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica)
May that peace give him strength and consolation, and may it fill our hearts as we live our own calling."

04/22/2025

With love and sorrow, we entrust Pope Francis to the mercy of God. His life was a witness to grace, humility, and hope. May he rest in the peace of Christ who makes saints of sinners.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

04/20/2025

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Today, April 20, we celebrate Easter Sunday, the day on which Christ conquered death and sin. The Church unites in one voice to shout: Happy Easter!

Today marks the beginning of the Easter Season, a liturgical period of fifty days in which the Catholic Church celebrates the pinnacle of the work of salvation: the Resurrection of Christ, the Lord. The Easter Season concludes with the Solemnity of Pentecost (June 8, 2025).

Simultaneously today also begins the Easter Octave. The Easter Octave, as the name itself suggests, is equivalent to the period of eight continuous days in which the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated. The beauty of these eight days - from Sunday to Sunday - lies in the fact that they should be lived as if they were “one day.” It is, therefore, a “long Sunday” or “great Sunday” in which the joy for Christ coming back to life is prolonged with the same intensity with which Resurrection Sunday is lived.

04/02/2025

On the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, twenty years ago, April 2, 2005, our beloved Patron, St. John Paul II passed into eternal life. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on May 1, 2011, the Feast of Divine Mercy, and canonized by Pope Francis on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014.

Today, we honor the tremendous life and legacy of John Paul the Great, the Pope of Divine Mercy.

Our April 2nd celebration includes 12pm and 5:30pm votive Masses and veneration of his relic, accompanied with special hymns. Refreshments and fellowship to follow.

RSVP: https://jp20thanniversary.eventbrite.com

Photo: Tony Spina Collection, St. John Paul II National Shrine

03/19/2025

Happy Solemnity of St. Joseph!

🌟 St. Joseph: The Protector of the Holy Family 🌟

In the quiet strength of St. Joseph, we see the heart of a protector, a humble man chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus. When the Holy Family fled to Egypt to escape danger, it was Joseph who guided and safeguarded them with unwavering courage and faith. 🛡️

As the earthly father of Jesus, he was the silent, steady presence—offering his protection, love, and guidance through every trial. His role as the man who raised Jesus reminds us of the power of quiet strength and selfless sacrifice.

Let’s honor St. Joseph, a model of faithfulness and dedication, and ask for his intercession to protect our families and guide us in our own journeys. 🙏💫

12/26/2024

Wishing everyone a joyous and blessed Christmas!

Almighty and eternal God, Lord of heaven and earth, who reveal yourself to little ones, grant us, we beseech you, properly to honor the holy mysteries of your Son, the Child Jesus, and to follow him humbly in our lives, so that we may come to the eternal kingdom promised by you to little ones; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. (Secular Franciscan Companion, 223)

12/24/2024

Here's some pictures from our Live Nativity at the Cardinal Cushing Centers last weekend! We want to thank all who came to this wonderful event, and we also want to thank all the volunteers from the Cardinal Cushing Center, Our Lady of the Angels Parish and our Fraternity who made this possible!

12/13/2024

Live Nativity Tomorrow at Cardinal Cushing Centers 1pm-3pm!

Tomorrow we will be hosting our annual Live Nativity at the Cardinal Cushing Centers! This free family event will feature a reenactment of the Nativity with the Holy Family, angels, shepherds, the Three Kings, and live animals! There will also be face painting, craft giveaways, bake sales, Christmas music, hot cocoa, snacks, and more!

12/02/2024

First Sunday of Advent:

As we start a new liturgical year and prepare for Christmas, we ask you to open your heart to a deeper relationship with Our Lord. On January 1st, many of us make resolutions to be better, change, or grow. Today, let's make a resolution that we may go into this new liturgical year with an open heart and a willingness to listen to how God wants us to draw closer to Him. Are there things I need to change or let go of? Are there things I need to take on or ways I need to grow in? Whatever our journey, let's begin with allowing God the room to help us.

How can we pray for you this Advent season? If you'd like to share, please write your prayers in the comment section.