The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) are joyfully preparing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its foundation in 2027. This historic milestone marks many years of faithful service to God, the Church, and humanity across the world.
As part of the journey towards this Jubilee celebration, the congregation has been engaged in a three-year spiritual preparation centred on the symbol of God’s breath and life-giving presence. In 2024, the congregation reflected on the theme, “Listening to the Breath of God in Us.” The following year, 2025, invited Sisters to deepen this experience through the theme, “Recognising the Breath of God in Us.”
In 2026, the journey continues with the theme, “Breathing with God: Here I Am,” a call to renewed availability, commitment, and missionary discipleship. We are also having a year-long lunch of the anniversary celebration in the Christian communities, churches and parishes where we worship or have apostolic, each community have their own creative way of organising spiritual and recreational activities, with the people we worship with as part of the preparation towards the programme.
The 150th anniversary celebration will be marked in unique ways across the different countries and regions where the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary are present. Communities throughout the world will celebrate the rich heritage of the congregation through prayer, reflection, service, cultural expressions, and thanksgiving. These local celebrations will highlight the diversity and universality of the FMM mission, which continues to respond to the needs of people in varied contexts and cultures.
A major international celebration will take place at the General House in Rome, bringing together Sisters, collaborators, friends, and members of the wider Franciscan family to commemorate this remarkable journey of faith and mission.
Today, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary continue their presence across the globe, serving in ministries that promote human dignity, justice, peace, interreligious dialogue, healthcare, education, pastoral care, and accompaniment of the poor and vulnerable. The Jubilee celebration offers an important opportunity not only to give thanks for the past but also to evaluate the congregation’s life and mission in the present.
In recent years, the congregation has embraced a new organizational structure, moving from provinces to regions in order to strengthen collaboration, foster greater unity, and respond more effectively to the changing realities of mission. The anniversary therefore comes at a significant moment of reflection and renewal.
As the congregation approaches this historic milestone, the Jubilee invites every Franciscan Missionary of Mary, associates, partners in mission, and friends to journey together in gratitude, discernment, and hope. Inspired by the vision of the Foundress, Blessed Mary of the Passion, the congregation seeks to listen attentively to the Spirit and discern the path forward, remaining faithful to its missionary charism in a rapidly changing world.
The celebration of 150 years is not merely a remembrance of the past; it is a renewed commitment to continue breathing with God and responding generously to His call: “Here I Am.”
By Sr. Grace Ateriyeni, FMM ( Catholic Sister Communicators Network Ghana- CASCON-GH)
