Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas Region #75 spans all of New Mexico, a small part of Arizona, and part of Texas, including areas near the U.S.-Mexico border. It is one of the 30 geographic regions of the secular Franciscan Order in the United States. The region was established with its name chosen during a council meeting in El Paso, reflecting its cultural and spiritual ties to the Americas.
Our region includes 14 fraternities. Members are supported by a Spiritual Assistant – often a Franciscan friar, diocesan clergy, or certified lay OFS member. The region is part of the national network of over 600 fraternities and about 10000 active professed members.
Because it borders three states and Mexico, the region is bilingual and culturally diverse, reflecting the rich heritage of the Americas. Its spirituality is rooted in Franciscan values: compassion for the poor, care for creation, and peacebuilding.
The region’s prayer life includes the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours), daily Scripture readings, Mass, Franciscan blessings, and devotions such as the Franciscan Crown Rosary.
Formation and spiritual growth are supported through fraternities, regional events, and national OFS resources.
Our Lady of Gudalupe Region is a vibrant Franciscan community in the U.S., blending the spiritual legacy of St.
Francis with the cultural richness of the Americas, and working to live the Gospel in everyday life while fostering unity, charity, and service.
MISSION STATEMENT
We, the Secular Franciscans of Our Lady of Gudalupe, Empress of the Americas Region, inspired by the vision of Saint Francis, commit ourselves to the Gospel as our way of life, going from the Gospel to life and life to the Gospel.
We are committed to living our Secular Franciscan vocation in fraternity as we follow Christ.
We will live lives of universal kinship in the world as true brothers and sisters following the Gospel together with the Rule, Constitutions and Statutes of the Secular Franciscan Order.
We are called to be renewed continually through the celebration of the Eucharist and go forth to rebuild the Church through our witness and service to others.
MISIÓN
Nosotros, los Franciscanos Segalares de la Región de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Emperatriz de las Américas, inspirados por la visión de San Francisco, nos comprometemos con el Evangelío como nuestra forma de vida, yendo del Evangelio a la vida y de la vida al Evangelio.
Estamos comprometidos a vivir nuestra vocación franciscana seglar en fraternidad mientras seguimos a Cristo.
Viviremos vidas de parentesco universal en el mundo como verdaderos hermanos y hermanas siguiendo el Evangelio junto con la Regla, las Constituciones y los Estatutos de la Orden Franciscana Seglar.
Estamos llamados a renovarnos continuamente mediante la celebración de la Eucaristia y a salir a reconstruir la iglesia a través de nuestro testimonio y servicio a los demás.