April 2024 – Franciscan Voice

Celebrating Mother Earth

Earth Day 2024 was celebrated officially on April 22. Here are a couple of events held on April 20 and an important initiative announced on April 23 in recognition of…

Oxford

Great Britain & Ireland: Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa

This year, the Custody of Great Britain-Ireland is celebrating the 800th anniversary of its foundation (1224-2024).*This anniversary year is truly a time of renewal, of looking backward and forward. There…

Feast of the Mystery of Creation?

In recent decades, the “Feast of Creation” celebrated on September 1 (also known as Creation Day or World Day of Prayer for Creation) has emerged as an important Christian celebration…

The Good Shepherd

For the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Bishop John Stowe OFM Conv. preached on the image of the Good Shepherd and how it relates to the current climate crisis. I think…

Celebrating Blessed Giles at Little Portion Farm

Each spring, Little Portion Farm (located in Ellicott City, MD) hosts a celebration around the time of the Feast Day of Blessed Giles of Assisi on April 23. This year’s…

Friar Michael T. Martin OFM Conv. Appointed Bishop of Charlotte

Pope Francis has appointed Friar Michael Martin as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina. Bishop Peter J. Jugis, who recently celebrated his 20th anniversary as bishop,…