Founded within the Prelature of Pope John Paul II
Catholic Apostolic Church | Eastern Rite | International Ordinariate
Established 1985
Roman Catholic Franciscan Religious Order,
An International Ordinariate
Abbey of Saint Mary Theotokos
Province of Saint Mary Theotokos
Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist
Order of Franciscans Ecumenical
Very Reverend Michael Cuozzo+, OFE, Minister General
History of the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical Click Here
The General Constitutions of OFE Click Here
Roman Catholic Franciscan Religious Order,
An International Ordinariate
Because of the fruit of this endeavor we would like the Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist to be recognized as a clerical Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right.
Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist
Order of Franciscans Ecumenical Blog
Opinions expressed in this Blog do not necessarily represent views of the Principal Bishop of OFE, Bishop Protector of OFE, Provincial of OFE, Minister General of OFE, the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical, Inc. Board of Directors and Council, the Abbey of Saint Mary Theotokos, Inc. Board of Directors, the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical Advisory Board, or any other members of OFE, OFES, COFE, Sanctification of Families Union of Saint Francis of Assisi, Theotokos Association of Catholic Priests, Support Members Association, and Order of Franciscans Ecumenical Ecclesiastical Affiliations Charters.
29
Mar '20
“We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)
29
Mar '20
The Most Reverend +Ida Raming, RCWP (Roman Catholic Women Priests), OFE (hc), DTh was awarded an Honoris Causa membership in the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical (OFE) on the 29th day of March, 2020, the Fifth Sunday of Lent. An Honoris Causa (Latin: “for the sake of honor”) membership is awarded in recognition of distinguished service to the Roman Catholic Church, church reform, and challenging the prohibition of women from the Roman Catholic priesthood. She resides in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Rottenburg, Germany, Europe.
Most Reverend Ida Reming was born in the northwestern part of Germany and studied philosophy, education, theology and German in Münster and in Freiburg/Breisgau.
Vatican Council II, (1962–65), 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, announced by Pope John XXIII on January 25, 1959, as a means of spiritual renewal for the church and as an occasion for Christians separated from Rome to join in a search for Christian unity.
During Vatican Council II, in 1963, together with Dr. Iris Müller (1930-2011), a Roman Catholic Woman Priest, and Theologian, known as one of the “Grandmothers” of the Women Priests Movement, Bishop Ida Raming drew up a published petition to the Vatican Council II, challenging the exclusion of women from the Roman Catholic priesthood.
Bishop Ida received her doctorate in theology from the University of Münster in 1970, and her thesis was titled “The Exclusion of Women from Priesthood: Divine Law or Gender Discrimination?”
She has published numerous books and articles on the history and theology of women, especially on the position of women in the Roman Catholic Church. She states: ”Considering the continuing oppression of women by the Vatican regarding their baptismal right to ordination, especially the definitive decision of Pope John Paul II against the priesthood of women (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, 1994), in my view the doors to women’s ordination were closed. Therefore, I did not expect any reforms through dialogue and action within the system. I decided, together with my friend and colleague Dr. Iris Müller, after a lifelong struggle for women’s ordination, that the best – and possibly at this juncture the only – way forward was to transgress canon law (c.1024 CIC), relying on the word of Holy Scripture: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).”
On June 29, 2002, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Ida Raming was one of the original seven women who were ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood. This took place on the Danube River. In June, 2006 she was ordained a Roman Catholic woman bishop in Stuttgart, Germany. She serves as a bishop with the Roman Catholic Women Priests- Europe.
(Photo: Episcopa [Bishop] Theodora, far left, Zeno Chapel, Roman Catholic Church of Santa Prassede, Rome)
21
Mar '20
Bringing Light to Darkness
21
Mar '20
Today’s serious health concerns have brought a level of uncertainty that many of us thought we would never see in our lifetime; probably none of us thought we would see a single virus become a global pandemic.
There circumstances create some level of worry for each of us, but it is important for all of us to remember that we are indeed in this together and we need to support each other and all those around us in any way we can.
We are people of faith, and let’s all rise to the occasion by focusing on what we can and should be doing, and not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by worry, unknowns, limited resources, etc. Let’s put our energy into looking out for one another, easing the fears of children, checking on the well-being of the elderly and isolated, sharing helpful ideas, and maintaining social ties with others through various electronic means.
Let’s not allow physical separation to translate into social and emotional isolation. Instead, let’s commit ourselves to the recommended health guidelines and put our best efforts into reaching out to others to support their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Doing so will help us to look back on this time as one in which we used a dark period as an opportunity to bring light into the lives of others.
15
Mar '20
“Our faithfulness…”
15
Mar '20
“Our faithfulness will depend on our willingness to go where there is brokenness, loneliness, and human need.” (Henri J.M. Nouwen)
27
Feb '20
“God takes the soul.”
27
Feb '20
“Death takes the body. God takes the soul. Our mind holds the memories. Our hearts keep the love. Our faith lets us know we will meet again.” (Short Quotes World)
22
Feb '20
“…bring a folding chair.”
22
Feb '20
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table bring a folding chair.” (Shirley Chisholm)
27
Jan '20
“In time of challenges…”
27
Jan '20
“In times of challenges, we dare to take care of the simple things.” “Em tempos de desafios, ousamos cuidar das coisas simples da vida.” (Rose Bertoldo)
31
Dec '19
“…to regift.”
31
Dec '19
“God your gift of grace
is the one gift I received
I’m asked to regift” (Haiku Prayers)
is the one gift I received
I’m asked to regift” (Haiku Prayers)
27
Dec '19
“Give me patience, God”
27
Dec '19
“In between Your birth
and visit of the Magi
Give me patience, God” (Haiku Prayers)
and visit of the Magi
Give me patience, God” (Haiku Prayers)
16
Dec '19
“…path to success…”
16
Dec '19
“The path to success is to take massive, determined action.” (Tony Robbins)
07
Dec '19
“…doing the impossible.”
07
Dec '19
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” (St. Francis of Assisi)
03
Dec '19
Prayer of Unity
03
Dec '19
Dear Lord,
Unite the Churches of Christ that have been splintered over the centuries for each year that passes the wedges grow deeper and deeper. As our faith grows, we must see not what separates us, but what joins us. Only then can we once again become true patrons of the faith. Through your word and divine mercy, we shall become united again. Amen.
29
Nov '19
“…change…”
29
Nov '19
“The only way you can change Canon Law is to break it.” (Archbishop Peter Paul Brennan, OCR, OA, DD)
12
Nov '19
“…Courage…”
12
Nov '19
“Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage; Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.” (Saint Augustine of Hippo)
05
Nov '19
“…Silence.”
05
Nov '19
“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.” (Mother Teresa)
21
Oct '19
“…simple joys are holy.”
21
Oct '19
“Do few things but do them well, simple joys are holy.” (Saint Francis of Assisi)
15
Oct '19
“…you learn to love by loving.”
15
Oct '19
“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.” (Saint Francis de Sales)
14
Oct '19
“…find it with another.”
14
Oct '19
“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” (Thomas Merton)
09
Oct '19
“…feed just one.”
09
Oct '19
“If you can’t feed a hundred people [children], then feed just one.” (Mother Teresa)
03
Oct '19
Of Peacemakers
03
Oct '19
Admonition of our Holy Father Saint Francis: Of Peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)They are truly peacemakers who amidst all they suffer in this world maintain peace in soul and body for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27
Sep '19
An Exhortation of Our Holy Father Francis
27
Sep '19
O dearly beloved brothers and children ever-blessed. listen to me, listen to the voice of your Father: Great things have we promised, greater things have been promised us; Let us observe the former, and yearn for the later. Pleasure is brief; punishment is eternal. Short the suffering, eternal the glory. Many are called, few are chosen; everyone will be rewarded according to his merit. (Amen) (Cf. Thomas of Celano, The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul)
15
Sep '19
Compassion
15
Sep '19
Francis of Assisi wrote, “Whoever may come to us, whether a friend or a foe, a thief or a robber, let him be kindly received.”
11
Sep '19
Our Lady of Las Lajas
11
Sep '19
Our Lady of Las Lajas (Our Lady of the Rocks)
There are many amazing incidents involving apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary related throughout history, and nearly countless times where she has come to give her special assistance to men. One of the most astonishing events involves a little known apparition, Our Lady of Las Lajas, and a miracle that can still be witnessed today on a cliff face of Guaitara Canyon in Colombia, South America.
It was in the year 1754 when a woman named Maria Mueses de Quinones was traveling from her home in the village of Potosi to the neighboring village of Ipiales, which was about 6 miles away. The trail had turned down into the gorge formed by the Guaitara River when Maria was caught in a sudden squall. She did not like this shadowy and overgrown place, for she, like all the natives, believed the grotto known as Las Lajas (The Rocks) was inhabited by the devil. Despite her fears, Maria was soon forced by the violence of the storm to take refuge there anyway.
Making the Sign of the Cross and invoking the aid of the Blessed Virgin, Maria peered fearfully into the darkness as she took her first few halting steps into the cave. Surrounded by the awful darkness she was just beginning to look about when she felt someone, or something, moving directly behind her. Afraid to turn around, she ignored the feeling until she felt a finger begin tapping her insistently on the shoulder. Certain it was the devil himself, Maria fled out into the raging storm.
Maria had a young daughter named Rosa, a child who had been a deaf-mute since birth. Sometime later, returning home from Ipiales, Maria was carrying Rosa on her back on the way to their village when she suddenly was suddenly overcome by exhaustion. Unable to go any further, she sat down and rested on a large stone near the dreadful grotto.
“Mommy, look at the mestiza who has detached herself from the rock with a little boy in her arms and two little mestizos at her side!”
Read more...
01
Sep '19
“…bruised, hurting and dirty…”
01
Sep '19
Pope Francis said, “I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.”
26
Aug '19
“Can I hold your hand?”
26
Aug '19
“My steps wobble, God I feel like a new born child Can I hold your hand?” (Haiku Prayer)
24
Aug '19
“…danger of starving.”
24
Aug '19
On the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Saturday, August 24, 2019, the Minister General of OFE established the Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist, for married and celibate Roman Catholic priests. The Order of Franciscans Ecumenical (OFE) and the Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist (OFE) were fused together in a single entity (“an Order within an Order”). Present members and those who join will be members of both orders.
The Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist is reflective of our present history, goals, mission, charism, apostolic works, and Roman Catholic tradition.
“We need to make our leaders understand that the Mass is more important than mandatory celibacy,” said FutureChurch cofounder, Fr. Louis J. Trivison. Quoting Catholic canon law and the second Vatican Council Trivison noted: “we have the right to receive in abundance…the spiritual goods of the Church, and it is our right and duty to make our views known on matters which concern the good of the Church.” OFE is working for the reinstatement of priests who left the active ministry to marry and reconsideration of opening ordination to “all Catholics called to it by God and the people of God,” including women and the married, rather than lose access to the Eucharist.
“While the Pope writes beautiful statements about what the Eucharist means for Catholics, most Catholics in the world have no regular access to Mass [the Eucharist] at all,” said FutureChurch Executive Director, Sr. Christine Schenk. “If, as the Pope says, the Church truly “draws her life from the Eucharist, then we are in danger of starving.”
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” (St. Francis of Assisi)
23
Aug '19
“Lord, take me where… “
23
Aug '19
“Lord, take me where You want me to go, let me meet who You want me to meet, tell me what You want me to say, and keep me out of Your way.” (The Prayer of Saint Mychal Judge)
21
Aug '19
“Together…”
21
Aug '19
“You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things.” (Mother Teresa)
18
Aug '19
Save Me, O Lord!
18
Aug '19
Saint John Chrysostom uses the example of charcoal, in order to console sinful people. A lit charcoal will burn you. If, however, you throw this lit charcoal into the sea, which will prevail? The sea or the charcoal? The sea, of course. As soon as the charcoal hits the water, it is extinguished and disappears.
Sin is a charcoal that scorches and burns our insides. What excruciating pain! Don’t allow this condition to persist. Take hold of it during the life-saving moment of confession and throw it into the sea of God’s compassion. Your charcoal of sin will immediately be extinguished and disappear.
If you tell me that you have not only one charcoal but many sins that are burning you, I will respond that God’s mercy is not just a sea: it is an entire ocean. Actually, it is something infinitely larger. The sea and the oceans have a certain limit, boundary, and end. God’s compassion, however, is incalculable, limitless, and endless. (Elder Ephraim of Arizona)
10
Aug '19
Seek What Is Above
10
Aug '19
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
07
Aug '19
“Power of Planting a Seed…”
07
Aug '19
“We can’t force someone to hear a message they are not ready to receive, but we must never underestimate the power of planting a seed.” (Good People News)
05
Aug '19
“More compassion and caring… “
05
Aug '19
“God places us in the world as his fellow workers-agents of transfiguration. We work with God so that injustice is transfigured into justice, so there will be more compassion and caring, that there will be more laughter and joy, that there will be more togetherness in God’s world.” (Archbishop Desmond Tutu)
25
Jul '19
“You are not the judge of creation…”
25
Jul '19
“Do not look for the faults of your friend. Do not repeat the short comings of your neighbors in you talk. You are not the judge of creation… Be the judge of your own sins, and chastise your own transgressions.” (Saint Ephrem the Syrian)
23
Jul '19
“God loves…”
23
Jul '19
“Satan loves to take what’s beautiful and ruin it. God loves to take what’s ruined and make it beautiful.” (Get Through The Week)
21
Jul '19
“All life demands struggle. “
21
Jul '19
“All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.” (Pope Paul VI)
14
Jul '19
“Seek God…”
14
Jul '19
“You can, you must try to seek God in every human life. Although the life of a person is land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God.” (Pope Francis)
ORDER OF FRANCISCANS OF THE EUCHARIST | ORDER OF FRANCISCANS ECUMENICAL
Roman Catholic Franciscan Religious Order, An International Ordinariate
Very Reverend Michael Cuozzo+, OFE, MDiv, DD, STD, PhD, Minister General
Post Office Box 77775
Corona, CA 92877-0125 USA
ABOUT US
We are a Roman Catholic Franciscan Religious Order, An International Ordinariate that minster to celibate and married Roman Catholic and Catholic priests and laity.
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