Today, August 2nd, is the feast day of Our Lady of the Angels, that is, our Blessed Mother in Heaven as well as our Fraternity. You see, Saint Francis of Assisi, about 805 years ago, founded the Franciscan Order (1209). At that time, he was given the use of this tiny chapel, the Porziuncula (Italian spelling), which means "Little Portion." That was, for many years, the "Mother Church" of the Franciscan Friars, and it still is, except that between 1569 and 1679, a very large Basilica was build over it, enclosing the little chapel, the Porziuncula. The name of that Basilica is Our Lady of the Angels. Saint Francis had a deep devotion to Our Lady, and so have those in all parts of the Franciscan Family.

The Secular Franciscan Order was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1221, under the name: Brothers and Sisters of Penance; then, in the 15th Century, the name was changed to: Third Order of Saint Francis. The current name, Secular Franciscan Order, began in 1978. And, in 2011, the acronym changed from SFO to OFS (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis or Order of Secular Franciscans).  See: https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/faq-items/how-did-the-secular-franciscan-order-begin/

In the United States of America, Secular Franciscans are numerous. Fraternities is the basic unit of the Order, We answer to Regional Fraternities, which, in turn, answer to a National Fraternity. The National group answers to our Minister General, who lives in Hungary. Fraternities in Florida, and Southern Alabama, belong to the Five Franciscan Martyrs Region. There is an excellent FAQ (Frequently asked Questions) section in our National Website, found here:

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/faq-items/