Une Minute avec Marie
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Do you know the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate? They are a clerical congregation of pontifical right founded on April 2, 1970, by Father Stefano Maria Manelli and Father Gabriele Maria Pelletieri, both conventual Franciscans. Their aim is to return to an authentic Franciscan life with a Marian dimension:
This religious institute belongs to the large Franciscan family, which includes several communities: the Friars Minor Conventual, the Capuchins, the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) and the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. What they all have in common is Saint Francis of Assisi!
The Institute of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate is different in that it has a special connection with Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a great Polish saint. Before giving his life to save a man in a concentration camp, Father Maximilian Kolbe had developed a unique vision of the Franciscan way of life. Inspired by his example, the founders of the Franciscan Institute of the Immaculate wished to integrate Kolbe’s vision with their own, placing Marian life and the proclamation of the Gospel at the heart of Franciscan life.
They sum this up with the “3M”: Minority according to St. Francis of Assisi, Mariality, following Mary's example in her “yes” to God, and Mission, proclaiming the Gospel, as Mary did at the Visitation.
They also take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and a fourth vow specific to the institute: consecration to the Virgin Mary. This additional vow compels them to be missionaries.
The Institute, recognized by Rome, is present on all five continents. The gradual arrival of new vocations helped to reorganize their lifestyle and promote the active dimension of the apostolate, focusing mainly on the media, such as the press, radio and television. Faithful to the vision of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, they proclaim the Gospel through the media.