Washington: Across the United States, universities and faith communities are celebrating Franciscan Month, a growing national initiative inspired by the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. The movement, led by Brother Gregory Cellini, O.S.F., seeks to rekindle the Franciscan values of peace, humility, and care for creation reminding todayâs generation that spirituality and service can coexist with modern life.
The idea of dedicating October to the Franciscan spirit emerged at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where Brother Gregory serves in the Office of Mission, Ministry, and Interfaith Dialogue. What began as a campus effort to reflect on St. Francis and St. Clareâs teachings has grown into a month-long national celebration of faith, creativity, and community engagement.
âThe Holy Spirit instilled in me the thought: what about a Franciscan Month?â Brother Gregory recalls. âWe have an 800-year-old tradition, yet no month to celebrate it.â Inspired by awareness movements such as Black History Month and Womenâs History Month, he launched the first Franciscan Month in 2023, transforming the former St. Clare and St. Francis Week into a 30-day program of reflection, art, and dialogue.
Activities included poetry readings, campus discussions, and the launch of the All Good Things blog featuring reflections from students and faculty across the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities (AFCU).
In 2024, Franciscan Month spread beyond Brooklyn to dioceses across New York and New Jersey, engaging parishes, schools, and communities through blessings of animals, interfaith gatherings, and environmental initiatives. âIt was a wonderful month of October,â Brother Gregory reflected, emphasizing that the effortâs success stemmed from shared faith and collaboration.
This year, 2025, marks the first nationwide observance of Franciscan Month, with over twenty Franciscan institutions joining hands in prayer, service, and advocacy.
The 2025 theme holds special meaning, commemorating the 800th anniversary of The Canticle of the Creatures St. Francisâs timeless hymn to creation. The text, celebrating gratitude, harmony, and forgiveness, resonates strongly amid modern environmental and social challenges.
âOne of my students once said the Franciscan way is more needed today than it was 800 years ago,â Brother Gregory noted. âAt first, I doubted it. But she was right. Our world is broken, and the Franciscan spirit can help heal it.â
Highlights of this yearâs celebration include âContemplation Across the Miles,â a synchronized Eucharistic adoration involving more than half of the AFCU institutions at 3 p.m. Eastern time a united prayer for peace across campuses. In addition, the Franciscan Action Networkâs Justice Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., is bringing together students and religious leaders from ten Franciscan colleges for dialogue and advocacy.
A new digital platform FranciscanMonth.org, developed by Franciscan Media provides reflections, resources, and daily tips to encourage faithful living. One such reflection reads: âFast from social media to pray.â
Some Franciscan schools are even taking this advice literally. âSeveral high schools now ask students to leave their phones in lockers during the day,â Brother Gregory shared. âThey call it âFranciscan freedomâ freedom from digital noise to rediscover human connection.â
The future of Franciscan Month is as bold as its message is humble. Plans for 2026 include outreach to more U.S. dioceses, and by 2027, organizers hope to bring the initiative to a global scale, seeking a papal blessing from Pope Leo XIV.
âWe want October to be known everywhere as Franciscan Month,â Brother Gregory said with conviction. âAnd more importantly, we want people to live the Franciscan way not just in October, but every day of their lives.â
As the Church honors St. Francis of Assisi this October, the message resounds clearly across American campuses: simplicity, service, and compassion are timeless values capable of renewing both hearts and communities in a fragmented world.