FIMP (Federation of Italian and Mediterranean Jurisdictions of our Order) and CFF (North America, Australia, Great Britain and Ireland) Solemn Vow retreatants and the directors of Rivo Torto, with newly appointed Secretary General for Formation for our Order, pictured in the friary chapel at Santa Maria di Rivotorto (known as the “Sanctuary of Rivotorto,” a few kilometers south of the Portiuncula. Rivo Torto is under the care of our Order and was founded to preserve the structures of the Sacred Hovel or Tugurio – the first place where St. Francis gathered his followers before settling at the Portiuncula.

Each summer, friars from all three Franciscan First Orders who are approaching the solemn vow stage of formation travel on a Solemn Vow Pilgrimage to Assisi, led by our Vicar Provincial, Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. During this time, they explore the rich Franciscan history of the area, accompanied by veteran friars. For the last week, the men move onto their individual Order Solemn Vow Retreat, as leadership from each Order joins them to continue delving into the life of St. Francis of Assisi and his followers, with a direct focus on the way the Order lives out their Call. Currently, we have three such friars from Our Lady of the Angels Province attending this year’s pilgrimage and retreat as the group stays at Santa Maria di Rivotorto, led by our own Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. Our Order’s newly appointed Secretary General of Formation, Friar Louis Panthiruvelil, OFM Conv.(in full green vestments above)  paid a visit and celebrated Mass for both Second Novitiate groups of friars.

Please keep our own province friars Antonio Sandoval, OFM Conv. Emanuel Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. and Maximilian Avila, OFM Conv., as well as the other Franciscan Friars Conventual in formation in your prayers during in this important step of their discernment journey.

Fr. James (far right) with the four American friars (left to right: fr. Antonio Sandoval, OFM Conv. of our Provincial Delegation in Costa Rica, Brother Don Bassana, OFM Conv. of Our Lady of Consolation Province, Emanuel Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. and Maximilian Avila, OFM Conv.) on retreat pictured outside of Santa Maria di Rivotorto. The inscription above the archivolt of the church entance reads, “Here the beginnings of the Friars Minor.”

This year marks the 800 Anniversary of the August 2nd Portiuncula Indulgence. You will notice that our province logo incorporates the Portiuncula graphic. This is because the Portiuncula (the small chapel of St. Mary of the Angels nicknamed “Little Portion” by St. Francis of Assisi) is located within Assisi’s Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. All Franciscans around the world celebrate August 2nd Feast Day of Our Lady of the Angels but we friars who are members of a province named in her honor, hold the day in high regard. There are many celebrations throughout our province and we encourage all to join us in those celebrations. To find a location nearest to you, please visit our ministry locations page. We hope to see you there.

More on the Feast Day and the Portiuncula Indulgence:
August 2nd – Feast of Our Lady of the Angels (aka the Feast of the Portiuncula). The small chapel of St. Mary of the Angels (Our Lady of the Angels) was very dear to St. Francis of Assisi. He referred to it as the Portiucula (or the Little Portion) and it is considered the cradle of the Franciscan Order. In 1209, as the quarters of Rivo Torto became too small for the newly forming religious order, St. Francis obtained from the Benedictines the use of the Portiuncula, for which he paid a basket of fish. The church and the surrounding small parcel of land were is disrepair. Just as he did at San Damiano, St. Francis rebuilt it, adding small huts (cells) and enclosing it all in a protective hedge. It was there that St. Francis gained a more vivid understanding of his own vocation. He held the annual meetings of the friars (Chapters) there and it is where he desired to spend his final earthly moments; dying in his nearby cell October 3, 1226.
St. Francis felt that the Portiuncula was a place filled with God’s grace. In 1216, at the request of St. Francis, the Pope granted special privilege (plenary indulgence – a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins) to all those who would visit the little chapel.
Although limited to noon on August 1st to midnight on August 2nd, the privilege continues to be granted to this day; not only to those who visit the Portiuncula, but to anyone who visits any church where the friars live and minister. To receive this privilege (for yourself or for someone else – living or deceased), in addition to the visit, one must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation within several weeks of the feast, go to Mass and receive the Eucharist, recite the Our Father and Apostles Creed, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
The beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli that now surrounds the Portiuncula chapel was begun in 1569 (completed in 1684) by decree of Pius V. It was meant to accommodate the huge crowds of pilgrims who came on August 2nd for Il Perdono (Portiuncula Indulgence). This is an important feast day for all Franciscans and is celebrated in Franciscan churches throughout the world. As the friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, this Feast Day has singular significance.

Congratulations friar Roberson Lubin, OFM Conv. (St. Joseph of Cupertino Province), friar Jacob Minjarez, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of Consolation Province) friar Brian Mary Tougher, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa – Custody), friar Jaime Zaragoza, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of Consolation Province), friar Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), {bottom row} friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province) and friar Marco Antonio Didden, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa – Custody). They are flanked by their Conventual Franciscan Novitiate Formators; Fr. Giles Zakowicz, OFM Conv. (Director – far left, back), and Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. (Assistant Director – far right, back) ~ both friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province.

July 21, 2016: The friars of the CFF (all Franciscan Friars Conventual Provinces of North America) celebrated the joy of the Profession of Simple Vows (also known as First or Temporary) as Franciscan Friars Conventual, of seven Novices, at St. Paul’s Church, in Pismo Beach, California. Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington (a friar from the Province of Our Lady of Consolation) presided at the Mass. Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. preached and presided over the Profession.

Br. Daniel Geary (Formation Director of our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody), friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), friar Brian Mary Tougher, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody), the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province of which Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody is a part), friar Marco Antonio Didden, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody) and friar Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province).

Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. (front center) pictured with the Ministers Provincial of the four North American Provinces, the Assistant General and the Newly Professed

Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial receives the Simple Vows of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv., witnessed by Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. – Assistant Director of the Novitiate

Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial receives the Simple Vows of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custoday friar Marco Antonio Didden, OFM Conv., witnessed by Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. – Assistant Director of the Novitiate

Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial receives the Simple Vows of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv., witnessed by Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. – Assistant Director of the Novitiate

Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial receives the Simple Vows of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custoday friar Brian Mary Tougher, OFM Conv., witnessed by Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. – Assistant Director of the Novitiate

After their Simple Profession of Vows in St. Paul’s Church, Pismo Beach, California, the newly professed carried two large bouquets of flowers to the altar of the Blessed Mother, then sang the “Salve Regina.”

Brazil – Mission Congress Official Photo – July 15, 2016

July 13-17, 2016 ~ Brazil:  The goal of the Mission Congress of the Federación Conventuales America Latina (FALC), was to deepen the reflection of the scenarios and the missionary and evangelizing practice of Franciscan Friars Conventual. This year marked a 70 year presence in Latin America and the Caribbean and it was a cause for great celebration and reflection. Read More in this article from the CNNB site. (Original text)

Read about the April 2016 Provincial Visit to Brazil

The North American Friars on hand at the Congress (the Very Reverend Jim Kent, OFM Conv – Minister Provincial of the Our Lady of Consolation Province ~ Fr. Justin Biase, OFM Conv. – former Minister Provincial of Immaculate Conception Province that is now part of Our Lady of the Angels Province ~ the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. – Minister Provincial of our province of Our Lady of the Angels) take a photo with Bishop Elias James Manning, O.F.M. Conv. ~ Bishop Emeritus of Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Frei Ronaldo Gomes da Silva Pároco – Custódio Vicar of our Immaculate Conception Custody, Frei Ilson Fontenelle Júnior – Pároco (formation director in Petropolis) and Friar Isidoro (Custos of Honduras), along with two of the Postulants

1st Order friars represented by the Assistant General of the FALC – Friar Carlos A. Trovarelli, OFM Conv. (far right), Friar James (far left) and Friar Ronaldo (center). 2nd Order represented by the Poor Clares of Rio de Janeiro (cloistered sisters who had special permission to attend). 3rd Order represented by the Leaders of the Region’s OFS (Ordo Franciscanus Sæcularis aka Secular Franciscans)

Joey Dziok, former director of the youth music program at our pastoral ministry at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr (Chicopee, MA) now works for NBC News and is in Brazil covering the Olympics. He has a moment to take a picture with our Friar James and Friar Justin.

While participating in the Order’s Mission Congress in Brazil, our Province’s own native brother, Bishop Elias James Manning, O.F.M. Conv. (Bishop Emeritus of Valença, Rio de Janeiro) presented to our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., with two gifts for the Province Archives – the pectoral cross presented him by his home parish of St. Michael in Troy, New York on the occasion of his episcopal ordination in 1990, and a newly published collection of some of his spiritual writings during the years of his active ministry as Bishop of Valença, Brazil.  He retired in 2014, but remains a very active Bishop Emeritus.