The journey of deepening understanding and reflection continues through the bimonthly Franciscan online refresher course, “Walking Faithfully in the Franciscan Way: From 1226 to 2026 and Beyond.” Organized to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, this program is intended to be a genuine tool for ongoing formation and a deeper understanding for the entire Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.
The Franciscan Continuing Education Course is an initiative promoted by the General Secretariat for Formation, which, since its beginning in 2023, offers an annual series of online conferences. The project was created to explore key topics related to the formation and charismatic renewal of the Order, with a particular focus on events of major spiritual significance, such as the current series dedicated to the Franciscan Centenaries we are celebrating.
In this 2026 curriculum, the course has been structured into convenient online sessions held every two months to facilitate participation, while maintaining a clear and well-defined objective: to explore in depth the lay dimension of our unique Franciscan-Capuchin vocation. This theme is part of the preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Capuchin Reform, which we will celebrate in 2028.
Objectives and Online Sessions
To date, three online sessions have been held on topics exploring our identity as Friars Minor and the lay dimension of our vocation as presented in the documents of the Church and the Order; in addition, we have examined the theme of St. Francis’s death and its impact during the period of our Reform.
The activities and bimonthly sessions focus on four main areas that stem from this year’s chosen theme:
- Preserving the Legacy: Rediscovering the authentic Gospel vision of St. Francis of Assisi, which remains relevant today.
- Renewing the Vocation: To promote and renew the vocation of the lay brothers and sisters, bringing to light the original Franciscan understanding that sees laypeople and clergy united in the same fraternal calling.
- Reflecting on the Testament: Delving deeper into the Testament of St. Francis of Assisi, a vital text that, for us Capuchins, is not merely a historical document but a writing that enriches and defines our rule of life.
- Contemplating the Transitus: Reflecting on the death of St. Francis to recognize how his total surrender to the Lord serves as a beacon that continues to inspire our Franciscan vocation in the contemporary world.
The Invitation to Participate
We therefore renew our invitation to all members of the Order to continue to join us by taking an active part in this journey of fellowship and formation. The course is entirely online and free of charge, and includes simultaneous translation during the sessions in Italian, English, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, and French. You can register for the upcoming sessions at the following link: https://form.jotform.com/260302789813359
And check out previous sessions on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ofmcaptv