Franciscan Voice

Friar Michael Lasky took part in drama therapy classes with actors in Ukraine. He tells the story of two Marys, Masha & Maria, and their work with Ukrainian refugees.

Why do bad things happen to good people? In part two of his meditations for Lent, Friar Solanus Mary talks about how Saint Maximilian Kolbe answered this question. 

In 2021, the Church celebrated the 'Year of St. Joseph.' Friar Robert Melnick took the time as an opportunity to deepen his understanding this saint - a man, a father, a hidden presence "who nonetheless played an incomparable role in the history of salvation."

Brother Solanus Mary talks about some of the early passages in the Gospels that detail events in Jesus' life that anticipate His Passion. These readings are great for Lenten meditations...

God is beautiful! This is the theme of Friar Vince Petersen's reflection - "When we come to know God, when we come to have that spiritual awakening, we begin to see things differently... we fall in love again."

God is always ready to forgive. Friar Jude Winkler talks about the 15 friars who live near the Vatican and serve in the confessionals at St. Peter's Basilica. Some people who haven’t been to confession in 50 years realize the opportunity to turn their lives over to God and find His Peace.

There's not just one way of being a Franciscan. Friar Jude Winkler talks about how we can come together in spite of our differences.

When we truly recognize God’s deep love for us, we desire to share that love with those who need it most. Friar Jude Winkler provides the example of friars from Malta working in London hospitals.

Friars in Kazakhstan provide music lessons. Friar Jude Winkler talks about this friary and how the arts can give us new hope.

The friars in Kenya serve at a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary on the border between different political factions, an area that erupted in post-election violence 15 years ago. Friar Jude Winkler points out that on this common ground, we can find the source of true peace.