Franciscan Justice Circle Resources

Downloadable Resources

Informational Materials

As you begin to think about formation of a Franciscan Justice Circle, we want to provide you all the materials you will need to begin to build interest in this special form of advocacy. In each section below, you will find documents to promote your new Justice Circle along with guiding documents, prayers and more to use at formal meetings.

Promotional Materials

We have developed the following materials for you to download and print for handing out to interested people.

One Page Flyer

Editable Recruiting Flyer

Brochure 2023 (double sided, tri-fold)

Bulletin Announcement

Essential Guiding Documents

The Facilitator’s Guide and Member’s Handbook listed here are meant to offer guidance and information to help you navigate the Phases as you build your Justice Circle. Further below you will find additional resources for each Phase development.

Click on the links below to view and download each of these resource guides. We ask that you consider the environment before printing them and print on both sides of the paper when possible.

Facilitator’s Guide (PDF, 26 pages)

Member’s Handbook (PDF, 19 pages)

Franciscan Justice Circle Group Guidelines (PDF, 1 page)

Framework for a Franciscan Justice Circle Gathering (PDF, 2 pages)

Explainer of Phases

The Franciscan Justice Circle process follows four phases. While not always linear in their progression, the phases help guide us to build upon our communal progress towards addressing the causes of injustice, while continually deepening our personal integration of Franciscan values.

You can find a quick explanation of these phases here.

Advocacy Resources

Franciscans have a rich history of advocacy, beginning with St. Francis himself when, in his 1220 “Letter to the Rulers of the People,” he encouraged civil authorities to be mindful of Gospel truths.

Franciscan advocacy in our current time is the strategic and deliberate process to bring about change in policies and practice, while also being a way to help people realize their power and give effective input in the decision making processes that impact them.

FAN has compiled a small library of Advocacy Resources to help you get started. Click here to access these Advocacy Resources.

Prayers

We have compiled this comprehensive set of prayers for your use and it will be updated periodically. Please kindly consider the environment before you choose to print.

Recommended Materials for each Phase:

Phase I: Building Relationships and a Franciscan Foundation

Rooted in Scripture, Franciscan Justice Circles are an invitation to Come to the Table and sit beside the Lord, to sit alongside one another.

Phase II: Living in Solidarity

Inspired by Franciscans living the Gospel, the heart of this phase is the ability to listen to the marginalized, as Francis and Clare did to the lepers of their day, thereby discovering a God who lives in every heart.

Phase III: Continuing the Incarnation

Rooted in Scripture, we respond to God’s call by envisioning next steps to address injustice, following Jesus’ example of servant love.

Phase IV: Loving through Action

We move as sisters and brothers into the public sphere to speak the truth to power, seek justice for the oppressed, and put right the relations that are broken among people and between people and creation. Like Francis & Clare we become Fools for Christ and do the unbelievable!

All Phases

Additional Recommended Materials by Topic:

Franciscan Spirituality

There is a wealth of material from the Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition, www.franciscantradition.org where you can become a member for free and access writings and videos.

Franciscan Nonviolence: Stories, Reflections, Principles, Practices and Resources, by Ken Butigan, Mary Litell, OSF and Louis Vitale, OFM. Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service.

St. Francis and the Foolishness of God, by Marie Dennis, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Joseph Nangle, OFM, and Stuart Taylor, 1993/2015

Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, 2016

Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from St. Francis, by Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, 2018

JPIC Topics Seen Through the Life of St. Francis of Assisi is a collection of essays written by Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. as resources for the Franciscan Friars Conventual. Each offers a uniquely Franciscan look at justice, peace and the integrity of creation in our world today.

Care for Creation
Catholic Social Teaching
  • 101 Questions and Answers on Catholic Social Teaching. By Kenneth Himes, O.F.M., New York: Paulist Press. 2013.
  • Faith, Charity, and Justice”, article by Ernesto Cortés, Jr. April 22, 2007 (Article, 6 minute read)
Poverty and Human Rights

For more information about how begin a Franciscan Justice Circle or connect to one in your area:

Contact the Director of Franciscan Justice Circles, Nora Pfeiffer

Join Us

Subscribe to receive FAN email updates and donate to support our work: