Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province has been progressing in our efforts to more fully tap into this devotion from our Kolbean heritage, through the example of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., and the continued efforts of his Militia of the Immaculata’s (M.I.) unconditional consecration to the Immaculate. With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, has completed preparations for the 21st & 22nd stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Friar Jobe’s scheduled stops on this tour will continue through October of 2020. Keep him and all those he greets in your prayers, as he continues to preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate, and to enroll in the M.I.

On the weekend of March 21-22, the M.I. Initiative promoting consecration to the Immaculate and enrollment in the M.I. planned its 21st and 22nd stop at St. Benedict the Moor Parish (at left) and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (below) in Columbus, Georgia. Friar Jobe was welcomed to the Franciscan Martyrs Friary the weekend before, when he celebrated Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church. As the friars serving St. Benedict the Moor Parish (pastor – Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv.) and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (pastor – Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv.) also live in community in that friary, Friar Jobe planned on celebrating Mass at these two Tour Stops next. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no public Masses are to be celebrated. Instead, Friar Jobe’s homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent was pre-recorded and a link will be provided for the English-speaking faithful of the two parishes. The Spanish text of the sermon was given to Friar Bob who will be celebrating a Live Streamed Mass for the Spanish-speaking parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes.
From Fr. Jobe: “Let us pray that, just as the man born blind was born that way to reveal the works of God, so too the corona virus will ultimately reveal how much more powerful is the merciful and healing love of the Lord and the Immaculate.”