“Franciscan synod” to chart the future of the Province

Responding to Pope Francis’ call to embrace synodal listening and discernment, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the United States embarked in a year-long Franciscan synod. Throughout 2024, local friaries first met to discern questions centered on Franciscan life, charism and mission. The fruits of that discernment were revisited during seven regional meetings held throughout the country, followed by a national Provincial Synod held in Kansas City on January 2025. The frigid air and potential travel hassles did not deter close to 200 friars and ministry partners who gathered to pray, discern and help shape the future of the Province. The synod yielded a report with eight top priorities for the Province.

Provincial Minister Br. Lawrence Hayes, OFM, commissioned the synod and said synodality is more than addressing administrative or demographic changes - it is part of a process to renew Franciscan life and reform the Church. Attendees considered the “signs of the times” alongside the realities of diminishing numbers of friars, vocations and resources and an aging community of religious in the US. During the synod, they held a penance liturgy to be freed from what holds them back from God’s love, ministry to others and moving forward with the renewal process. 
Younger friars and young adults shared their perspective, eagerly expressing their participation in Church life, a desire to take leadership positions in ministries and actively preserve the Franciscan tradition. 

The synod also unfolded as part of a global discernment led by the Order of Friars Minor, inviting Entities across the world - friars, Secular Franciscans, Franciscan Sisters and lay partners - to synodal discussion and renewal of Franciscan life. 
Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, SFP, who has collaborated with friars in ministry, called her attendance a “true privilege of God” and cited the “camaraderie” as proof of God’s presence. 
“As fellow Franciscans, we have a rich heritage that is beyond measure,” she said.  “Part of that is to bring it forward to the people of God in various and sundry ways.”

The Synod ended prayerfully with a Mass celebrated by Br. Lawrence, who encouraged the assembly to discern one quality or virtue of Jesus to embody and share with others. “We go out as brothers and sisters. Thank you for walking with us and know that we walk with you. Remember that we always have the promise of the Holy Spirit with us: Know that I will be with you until the end of time.”  

Photo Credit: Octavio Duran, OFM