Our Team
Brother Gregory Cellini, OSF
A Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn, and an author, and speaker dedicated to sharing the Franciscan way of life. He serves in the Office of Mission, Ministry, and Interfaith Dialogue at St. Francis College (Brooklyn, NY) and is a passionate advocate for faith, service, and Gospel living.
As founder and national champion of Franciscan Month, Brother Greg works to inspire people of all ages to embrace the values of St. Francis and St. Clare.
Chris Leone, OFS
A professed Secular Franciscan and national leader within the Secular Franciscan Order in the US.
He serves on the National Executive Council of OFS-USA and previously served as Minister of the Our Lady of the Angels Region. Committed to living the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis, he focuses on formation, fraternity, and evangelization, encouraging others to embrace conversion, mercy, and joyful discipleship.
Brady Young
Serves as the Manager of Member Engagement & Communications for the Franciscan Federation and sits on the Franciscan Month Steering Committee.
After encountering the Franciscan charism seven years ago, he found a spiritual home and a clear sense of “what is mine to do”: to do his part in helping sustain and strengthen this tradition for future generations.
Sister Susanna, OSC
A Poor Clare nun of the Monastery of St. Clare in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. As a member of the Order of Saint Clare, she has dedicated her life to prayer, contemplation, Gospel living, and the Franciscan charism inspired by St. Francis and St. Clare. Through a life centered on prayer, simplicity, and trust in God, Sister Susanna witnesses to the enduring importance of faith, peace, and spiritual accompaniment in today's world.
Judi Painter, OFS
A professed Secular Franciscan and the founder of The Listening Hearts Collective.
She serves as Project Coordinator for Franciscan Month 2026, fostering hope, compassion, and Franciscan values through spiritual care, advocacy, and service.
Denise Clare, OFS
A professed Secular Franciscan, the formation director in her local fraternity, and an enthusiastic lector in her neighborhood parish. In 2024, she received her Master of Theological Studies degree in Franciscan Theology from the Franciscan School of Theology. Now retired from corporate life, Denise embraces opportunities to blaze new trails as a writer, scholar, and explorer of the treasures of the Franciscan Tradition.
Franciscan Month 2026 is made possible thanks to the dedication of our members
Carolina Amarante — St. Francis College
Linda Baldacchino — St. Francis Preparatory School
Kerting Baldwin — Franciscan Friars, Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Sister Susanna, OSC — Poor Clares
Brother Greg Cellini, OSF — Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn
Robert Christian — Franciscan Action Network
Denise Clare, OFS — Secular Franciscan Order
Father John Doctor, OFM — Quincy University
Michele Dunne, OFS — Franciscan Action Network
Kathleen Flanagan — Franciscan Ministries
Lauren Gill — Hilbert College
Debi Haug — Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
Father Christopher Iwancio, OFM Cap. — Order of Friars Minor, Capuchins
Sister Kathleen Faith Klein, OCE — Order of Ecumenical Franciscans
Verleah Kosloske, TSSF — Third Order of the Society of St. Francis
Chris Leone, OFS — Secular Franciscan Order
Father Paul Lininger, OFM Conv. — Order of Friars Minor, Conventuals
Layna Maher, OFS — Secular Franciscan Order
Brother Adolfo Mercado, OFM — Franciscan Friars, Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Judi Painter, OFS — Secular Franciscan Order
Carolyn Townes, OFS — Secular Franciscan Order
Brother Michael Ward, OFM — Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs
Elizabeth Welling — Saint Anthony's High School
Brady Young — Franciscan Federation
Grateful for those who walk with us
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Franciscan Month celebrates the Franciscan way of life, educates others about this way, and offers a prayerful perspective on living Franciscan in today’s world.
“I entreat all my friars, ministers, and subjects to put away every attachment, all care and solicitude, and serve, love, honor, and adore our Lord and God with a pure heart and mind.”
