The following excerpt is from the reflection and homily delivered by Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., at the August 15, 2016 Solemn Profession of Vows of Friar Emanuel Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (left) and Friar Maximilian Avila, OFM Conv. (right) in the Chapel of our ministry of the Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD:
The Franciscan movement began in Assisi, Italy over 800 years ago, when St. Francis founded our Order – the same Order of penitent “lesser brothers” in which Friars Max and Manny today will be solemnly professing their vows. Last month Max and Manny joined several other “Friars Minor” from the Order’s various branches (Conventual, Observant, and Capuchin) for a month…, centered in Assisi and the other Italian sites of our Franciscan charism. I had the privilege of conducting the final week … at Rivo Torto, the first friary (“proto-convent”) of the Order.
While in Assisi, (they) spent a good bit of time inside the great Basilica of St. Francis… Surrounding the tomb of St. Francis are four niches holding the mortal remains of four early friars – Leo, Giles, Angelo, and Masseo – who were among his dearest and closest followers. One floor above the sacred crypt is the Lower Basilica, well reputed for its frescos by Cimabue, Giotto, Lorenzetti, and Martini. My favorite pastime in Assisi is to pray in that Lower Basilica underneath the Giotto frescoes on the vaulted ceiling depicting in allegory the three vows (which Max and Manny are about to profess perpetually). There is one particular spot beneath the vow allegories where I most often position myself. It faces the side wall graced by Cimabue’s brilliant fresco showing Our Lady of the Angels, patroness of our Province. Standing ever so humbly in the Cimabue fresco is poor little St. Francis himself, diminutive beside our Lady, Her Son Jesus, and all the Angels. Based on a real-life description, his face is so un-comely that only a mother could love it.
Directly beneath the homely Francis, is an intriguing grate covering five more entombed friars – another group of Francis’s early followers. Three years ago, during our Order’s General Chapter, those old bones in Assisi were really rattling – not because of an earthquake, but because they had been exhumed from the alcove niche where for nearly eight centuries they had peacefully reposed beneath Cimabue’s famous fresco. The names of these five friars were: Bernard of Quintavalle, Sylvester, William of England, Electus of Assisi, and Valentine of Narni. Once exhumed, these bones of the close companions of Francis were recognized, honored, preserved, displayed, and venerated. During their (time in Assisi, Friars) Max and Manny prayed in front of those old bones.
Today we add the names “Maximilian” and “Emanuel” to the elenchus of names like Bernard of Quintavalle, Sylvester, William of England, Electus of Assisi, Valentine of Narni, Leo, Giles, Angelo, Masseo, and thousands upon thousands of other Franciscan Friars who have professed Solemn Vows through the centuries. Today… we add the names of our two young (friars) to the (list) of hundreds who have actually professed vows in this very chapel (Shrine of St. Anthony) during the past 90 years. Today we reflect with Max and Manny about the earliest friar-followers of Saint Francis and their successors. Today we pause to think on what it means – not just to be a follower of Saint Francis, not just a subject, and not just what it means to be a brother of Saint Francis. We reflect on what it means to be, like those earliest lads of Assisi, privileged “companions” of Saint Francis. The early “companions” of Francis were his most intimate associates and deepest of friends on a common journey of Gospel life. Today, our Max and Manny are professing before God their desire to walk as companion-friends of Francis on the same Gospel journey.
No two friars are alike. Max and Manny are as different as chalk and cheese. Max with his famous tattoo “Made in Honduras” brings to the Gospel life his vibrant, ebullient, joyful, hyperactive, and ever generous spirit. Manny, with his kind, cheerful, inviting personality, and beautiful singing voice, helps us experience anew the voice of Francis “troubadour of the Lord.” Their “companionship” with Francis enriches our whole Franciscan community.
Today they are professing to live for the rest of their lives “in obedience, without anything of their own, and in chastity. Their three vows mean that these friars want to belong totally to God as poor, chaste, obedient men for others. To be obedient means they want to live with unveiled minds – focused on God’s will, not their own. To be poor means they want to live with unclenched hands – not grasping for belongings, but belonging to God. To be chaste means they want to live with undivided hearts – loving God all inclusively. Max and Manny, we are all here today to support you, dear brothers, in your humble and noble Franciscan calling…
… So, dear Max and Manny – Your Franciscan hearts are bursting right now with love for Jesus. Your hearts mirror the consecrated heart of our Founder – your humble, little, companion-friend Francis of Assisi … Jesus’s Mother Mary lived as our Lord’s humble companion. She too knew the life of humble companionship with God. Now assumed into heaven, she enjoys that companionship for eternity. Our Lady inspired Francis to found an Order of humble itinerants – companions and friends of Jesus, Francis, and the poor of the world. May she inspire the both of you to keep your holy vocations ever humble and ever joyful, in companionship with Jesus, Francis, our community, and the poor of the world. For the glory of God – we celebrate with you today. May God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
July 30, 2016: In the city of Campos do Goytacazes – RJ (Brazil) our Provincial Custody Immaculate Conception of Brazil celebrated the ordination of Friar William Gomes Mendonça OFM Conv. through the laying on of hands of Bishop Elias James Manning OFM Conv, Bishop Emeritus of Valencia – RJ (Brazil).
August 06, 2016: Friar Luis Henrique N. Lima OFM Conv. was also ordained a priest in his hometown of Belo Horizonte – MG (Brazil) through the laying on of hands of Bishop Édson José Oriolo dos Santos, Bishop Archdiocese Auxiliary of Belo Horizonte.
These, our newly ordained brothers, are in our prayers to be fruitful their ministry.
August 10, 2016: The Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial and Antonella Di Piazza (member of the Secular Institute “Fr. Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata,” headquartered in Bologna, Italy) were guests on the “EWTN Live” program hosted by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, in Irondale, Alabama. The subject of the feature was the newly published English translation and critical edition of the “Writings of Saint Maximilian Kolbe” of which Antonella was the General Editor of the 2-volume and 2500-page edition. Feature Video
Feast Day of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv ~ August 14th
“Hate destroys. Love alone creates.” This line uttered by Saint Maximilian Kolbe, OFM Conv. over 75 years ago is more appropriate now than ever! We live in a world where hatred seems to be the norm. There are times when we want to throw up our arms in defeat. The devil seems to be winning. Saint Maximilian gives us an example on how to defeat hatred and evil in our own times. Saint Maximilian faced hatred head on. He led a life of heroic charity that culminated in his martyrdom during World War II at the Nazi death camp Auschwitz in Poland. The patron saint of prisoners, journalists, the addicted, the pro-life movement and families, he voluntarily took the place of a fellow prisoner, a husband and father who was selected to die by starvation. After he survived for two weeks without food, St. Maximilian’s death was hastened by lethal injection August 14, 1941.
The blessing of the St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. statue by Pope Saint John Paul II, on the occasion of the Martyr of Charity’s canonization, on October 10, 1982. Our friars were gifted the statue by the family of Msgr. Siedlecki, upon his passing, through a personal connection with our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. Msgr. Siedlecki attended the canonization with Fr. Burakowski (as did Fr. James) and purchased the statue through the help of Fr. Flavian Slominski, OFM Conv., the rector of the Penitenzeria at the Vatican and the personal confessor of Pope St. John Paul II. The statue is now housed in a small outdoor shrine on the property of our ministry of The Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City. (See picture above it.)
Friday, August 12, 2016 Noon Mass
Veneration of relic until 5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – Evening Prayer
Veneration of relic until 9:00pm Saturday, August 13, 2016 Noon Mass
Healing Prayers and Veneration of Relic until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2016 Noon Solemn Mass in Honor of Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Presider and Homilist Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. (Savannah)
Procession to the Outdoor St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. Shrine and the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto with Litany to Saint Maximilian M. Kolbe,OFM Conv.
Courtyard Picnic
Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. holds the reliquary of the 1st class relics of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. inside the outdoor shrine on the property of the Shrine of St. Anthony. This small structure houses the statue of St. Maximilian Kolbe that was blessed by Pope St. John Paul II at the canonization of our Martyr of Charity. Fr. James is joined by Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., a friar of our province and the the Provincial Assistant to the Militia Immaculata – an evangelization movement identifying with Mary that was established by St. Maximilian Kolbe (on his left) and the Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., a friar of our province who is the Bishop of Savannah (on right) and several other friars of our province.
At the Mass, Bro. Joseph Cannon C.S.Sp. was welcomed by Fr. James and our friars on hand as a new Postulant for our Province. Please keep him and our other five Postulants who are already at the St. Bonaventure Friary Postulancy in Chicago, IL, for a year of discernment in the first stage of Formation as Franciscan Friars Conventual.
Bishop DiMarzio ordains Friar Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv. (Director of San Damiano Mission) to the Transitional Diaconate. Pictured far left – Br. Michael Duffy, OFM Conv., behind Friar Nicholas – Fr. Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, OFM Conv (Assistant Director of San Damiano Mission), and far right – the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province).
Friar Nick vested by Friar (Deacon) Nader Ata, OFM Conv.
On Saturday, August 6, 2016, at San Damiano Mission (Brooklyn, NY), a ministry of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Friar Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv., Director of San Damiano Mission, was Ordained a Transitional Deacon by the Bishop of Brooklyn, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Nicholas Anthony DiMarzio. Friar Nick was supported by many of the friars of our province, his family, friends and a large assembly of the people he serves. One of the friars in attendance created a Facebook Video Photo Montage of the event. Please keep Friar Nicholas, and his ministry, in your continued prayers.
The 3 Nicholas-es (Friar Deacon Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv., Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Fr. Nicholas Rokitka, OFM Conv.) represent the 3 levels of Holy Orders: Diaconate, Presbyterate, Episcopate.
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.
The last two pastoral ministries to welcome the 2016 Pilgrimage of the Relic of St. Maximilian Kolbe are planning a joint event. On Sunday, August 7, 2016 , the relic of St. Maximillian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. will be at The Church of St. Catharine of Siena (Seaside Park, NJ) for a special 4:00 p.m. service. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Community (Seaside Heights, NJ), Fr. Bartholomew Karwacki, OFM Conv. will preach. He and the other friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, who reside at the St. Catharine of Siena Friary (Fr. John Ruffo, OFM Conv. – pastor of St. Catharine of Siena, Fr. Emmett Carroll, OFM Conv., Fr. Antone Kandrac, OFM Conv., Fr. Terence Pescatore, OFM Conv. and Friar Gregory Spuhler) welcome all to join them in this special celebration.
There is one particular spot beneath the vow allegories where I most often position myself. It faces the side wall graced by Cimabue’s brilliant fresco showing Our Lady of the Angels, patroness of our Province. Standing ever so humbly in the Cimabue fresco is poor little St. Francis himself, diminutive beside our Lady, Her Son Jesus, and all the Angels. Based on a real-life description, his face is so un-comely that only a mother could love it.
