Franciscans Honor Saint of Auschwitz with Relic Tour Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s
martyrdom, Friars proclaim legacy of this modern saint.
To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe (a friar of our Order of Friars Minor Conventual who died in the World War II concentration camp in Auschwitz, Poland) our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province have sponsored a pilgrimage of St. Maximilian’s relics (consisting of fragments of his beard). This is the largest tour of St. Maximilian Kolbe relics in the United States. It began on January 15, 2016 with an Opening Mass celebrated by our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., followed by veneration, held the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Maryland. The tour will include 38 ministry sites along the East Coast of the United States and Canada. The pilgrimage of St. Maximilian’s relics will return to our Ellicott City, MD ministry at the Shrine of St. Anthony for a concluding Closing Ceremony, on St. Maximilian’s feast day, August 14th.
The next stop on the Kolbe Relic Tour is our pastoral ministry of the Faith Community of St. Casimir Church. Located in the historic waterfront community of Canton (2800 O’Donnell Street, Baltimore, MD 21224-4796 ~ 410-276-1981), the Opening Ceremony for this relic tour stop will take place at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass, on January 23, 2016. Veneration of the relic will be available after that Mass as well as after the two parish Masses on Sunday, January 24, 2016 (8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m.). Following the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday, January 24th the relic will be taken to the St. Stanislaus Kostka Chapel, in the St. Joseph Cupertino Center, on the corner of Kenwood and O’Donnell Streets. The chapel is usually open for private prayer and Eucharistic Adoration on the 3rd Monday of each month. For this special Relic Tour, the chapel will instead be open for veneration and private prayer on that Monday (January 25th) following the daily 8:00 a.m. Mass. At 4:00 p.m. the relic will be continue to be available for veneration during Eucharistic Adoration. The evening will conclude with a special Celebration Service at 7:00 p.m., followed by Night Prayer at 8:00 p.m.
All are welcome and encouraged to join the parish community and our friars serving there for this stop at St. Casimir Parish; one of our most beautiful and historic parish locations, under the pastoral leadership of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Dennis Grumsey, OFM Conv.
Visit the parish for weekend Mass or on any Monday – Saturday, throughout the year, for 8:00 a.m. Mass in the Chapel which stays open for private prayer until 4:00 p.m. The St. Stanislaus Kostka Chapel is in the St. Joseph Cupertino Center across from the friary – diagonal from the Church. It is open each third Monday of the month for Eucharistic Adoration from 4-8:00 p.m., concluding with Night Prayer.
The next stop after St. Casimir Church will be one of our newest pastoral ministries of St. Wenceslaus Church (Baltimore, MD). This beautiful church (established by Bohemian Catholic immigrants in 1872 and built in 1914) is “twinned” with St. Ann’s Catholic Church (cornerstone was laid in 1873 – built 1874), under the pastoral leadership of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Timothy Dore, OFM Conv. They will hold a special 7:00 p.m. Welcoming Mass on Friday, January 29, 2016. All are encouraged to attend.
Click the above image to order copies of St. Maximilian Kolbe: Martyr of Charity
Friar Israel, Friar Patrick (at left), Friar Manny (not pictured), Friar Andrew and Friar Brad (at right) joined the Washington Hebrew Congregation and Rabbi Bruce Lustig for a Day of Service.
Friars Andrew & Patrick
Many of our ministry sites participated in a Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 18, 2016). In Washington DC, our friars in the Post Novitiate stage of Formation joined approximately 700 students, faculty, and staff from the Catholic University of America (whose Campus Ministry is led by our friars) in serving their Washington, D.C. community.
Friar Israel’s Joyful Service
A message from Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. – Vicar Provincial and Formation Director for Our Lady of the Angels Province: “On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, four of the friars in initial formation joined hundreds of their classmates at the Catholic University of America (aka CUA) for a “day on” of service. Friar Patrick Roth, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), Friar Manny Wenke, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), Friar Andrew Hennessy, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of Consolation Province) and Friar Israel Arauz-Rosiles, OFM Conv. (St. Joseph Cupertino Province) and I traveled in a three-bus caravan from the campus to the Washington Hebrew Congregation (a 3,000-family Reformed synagogue founded in 1852) which does tremendous outreach to our nation’s capital. There we joined scores of others groups in various service projects. Our assigned task was to join the assembly line of volunteers chopping fresh vegetables and preparing casseroles. After an hour and a half of work, Rabbi Bruce Lustig took the CUA group on a tour of the synagogue during which Friar Israel was honored to hold one of the Torah scrolls.
Franciscans Honor Saint of Auschwitz with Relic Tour Commemorating 75th anniversary of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s martyrdom,
Friars proclaim legacy of this modern saint.
Ellicott City, MD, January 15, 2016—To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan who died in the World War II concentration camp in Auschwitz, Poland, the Franciscan Friars Conventual of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, are sponsoring a pilgrimage of St. Maximilian’s relics.
The largest tour of his relics ever mounted in the United States, this pilgrimage of St. Maximilian’s relics will start on January 15 at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Maryland, and will visit 38 ministry sites along the east coast and Canada. The pilgrimage of St. Maximilian’s relics concludes with a closing ceremony at the Shrine of St. Anthony on St. Maximilian’s feast day, August 14.
Crafted from bronze and silver and presenting different symbols from his life, the beautiful reliquary houses strands from Maximilian’s beard. Describing the value of relics to contemporary believers, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, says, “Relics remind us that saints were real human beings with hair, skin, bones and blood. We venerate relics to connect with the real person behind them – now proclaimed by the Church to be in Heaven, from where he or she remains interested and involved in our lives.” Each visit will include a liturgy, opportunities for veneration, and materials for further prayer and study.
In his lifetime St. Maximilian established the Militia Immaculata (MI), an evangelization movement identifying with Mary, the Immaculate, founded “Cities of the Immaculata” in Poland and Japan, and published countless religious works, a daily newspaper with a circulation of 230,000, and a monthly magazine with a circulation of over one million. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1941 and transferred to Auschwitz, Fr. Kolbe volunteered to take the place of an innocent husband and father who was scheduled to be killed by the Nazis. Still alive after two weeks of starvation, Fr. Kolbe was injected with a lethal dose of phenol on August 14, 1941.
Pope John Paul II canonized Maximilian as a “Martyr of Charity” and “Patron Saint of our difficult century” in 1982. St. Maximilian Kolbe is the patron saint of prisoners, journalists, families, the pro-life movement, and the chemically addicted.
Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., Provincial Assistant to the MI, says “As Christians, we are called to reveal God’s love by our concrete actions. In our day, St. Maximilian’s martyrdom at Auschwitz is a preeminent manifestation of that.” Following up on what his confrere said, Fr. McCurry added, “His relevance to people in the 21st century lies in his validation that love conquers hate, and goodness will ultimately triumph over evil.”
WASHINGTON DC AREA The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC ~ February 17-21
Post Novitiate (St. Bonaventure Friary), Silver Spring, MD ~ February 22-24
Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, Chicopee, MA: The San Damiano Youth Group’s presentation of Greccio in Chicopee was a beautiful remembrance of the Nativity of our Lord! The Basilica community would like to thank the event organizers, Rebecca James and Monica Kelly and all of the youth members of the San Damiano and Morning Star Groups, musicians, equipment, construction, sound, lighting, animals, and refreshment supporters for making such a beautiful event possible. This event would not be possible without the selfless efforts and time of so many youth, parents, and friends of their youth. They also thank the kitchen crew guided by the Holy Name, Vincent de Paul, and the Rosary Societies for providing refreshments and caroling, in addition to Mr. James Perkins for dedicating his time to direct the cast of youth to display the true feeling of the beauty of our Lord’s birth. Their hope is that this event brought peace and joy into the lives of all who attended, and continues to remind us all of the true meaning of Christmas and the humbleness of our Lord. Link to the video from the Catholic Communications news program, “Real to Reel,” who filmed the event.
The Franciscan custom of extracting patrons and passage, on the Feast of the Epiphany reflects a reverence for the saints and the understanding of the need for continuing promotion of personal holiness. During the extraction ceremony, participants chose a unique name of a saint to be considered a prayerful patron in addition to a short personal precept to be considered a focal point for spiritual concentrated development. This is a communal ceremony and can include not only those members of an individual friary, but those in an area, those serving in the same ministry site or those sharing the same Franciscan Charism. This can include other Franciscan Orders of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as Secular Franciscans and those sharing in ministry of Franciscan sites. The “picking” of the names and precepts are accompanied by a fraternal meal and time for fellowship. This is a time of great celebration during the Christmas season and an event which we all look forward to, each year.
Fr. Matt Foley, OFM Conv. participates in the 2016 Epiphany Extractions held in the Archbishop Curley Chapel, hosted by the the friars of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Friary, for those of our province who serve in the greater Baltimore, MD area.
Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv., Fr. Marek, Stybor, OFM Conv.. Fr. Raymond Borkowski, OFM Conv. and Fr. Mieczyslaw Wit, OFM Conv. gathered for Epiphany Extractions for friars serving in the New England area.
Fr. Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, OFM Conv., Fr. Stanislaw Czerwonka, OFM Conv. and Fr. Gabriel Scasino, OFM Conv. joined with the local Franciscan Sisters for the Epiphany Extraction celebration of the NY Metropolitan area.
Br. Michael Duffy, OFM Conv. (top left) with Senior students of Elms College, School of Nursing, who traveled to Holy Spirit Clinic, Maggoty, St Elizabeth, Jamaica, WI, for their Clinical Rotation.
Br. Michael Duffy, OFM Conv. (DNP, APRN-BC) is the Coordinator of the Accelerated Second Degree Program and a Professor at the School of Nursing of the College of Our Lady of the Elms, in Chicopee, MA. His vast education (B.S. American International College, M.S. University of Lowell and D.N.P. Regis College) and extensive experience as a Nurse Practitioner and Educator (Teaching at Elms College 1988-1997 and 2011 – today) is enhanced by his six years of service as a Missionary in Jamaica; managing a clinic, while serving the people of the area through the parish education and outreach needs (St Mary’s, Above Rocks, and Missions consists of: St Mary’s, Above Rocks; Holy Family, Cassava River; and Sacred Hearts, Pinto; in St Catherine Civil Parish, Jamaica, WI.). When the friars arrived in Jamaica they were instructed by the local clergy to give the people good Liturgy and take back the schools, to help stop the hand out mentality, to preach stewardship and to encourage evangelization and catechesis. For six years Brother Michael and the other friars serving there made it a point to have the church open daily while keeping the Sunday celebration of Eucharist central to the life of the Mission. They also committed themselves to weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. They took back the schools, helping them return to a better sense of order, with good principals, weekly Mass, and regular participation in school devotions, meetings and functions.They made great strides in bringing order to chaos and dignity to charity. They preached, encouraged and participated in every evangelization effort that the vicariate or archdiocese offered, while reviving an effective Sunday School and sacramental catechesis. When they left the missions, the seed for success was implemented as the people served took over the reins.
Br. Michael, or “Duffy” as he is affectionately known, has worked in several states and holds a special place in his heart and ministries for those he calls the underserved, including his implementation of the carRe vaN, a mobile healthcare unit serving the poor in the Chicopee area. “Having worked in street clinics in Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, I know how important it is to bring healthcare to the homeless rather than asking them to come to you.” This program also provides nursing students with clinical experience, while providing blood pressure, blood sugar, foot, episodic first aid and minor wound care, as well as patient education and other healthcare needs that may arise.
In addition to working with Br. Michael through the caRe vaN project, students have the opportunity to join him as he returns to Jamaica so they can participate in a population health and community nursing experiences. Work continues with the doctoral students to further develope ways to provide primary care to the under-served of the Chicopee area.
The Ladies from St Mary’s , Above Rocks pictured with Br. Michael Duffy, OFM Conv., after Mass at St. Paul of the Cross Cathedral in Mandeville during their annual retreat at the adjacent Passionist Retreat House. They send greetings to all the Friars who served their community.
January 15, 2015: Second bush clinic (flash clinic) in the Morgan Forest District in Clarendon, JA, where they saw served 102 people. The group is pictured here in front of the building dedicated as “Barb and Fran Homework & Community Centre” which served as their clinic for the day. Br. Duffy and his student are very grateful to our friars and our benefactors for your continued support, especially over those 13 days in Jamaica.
Friar Michael speaks at “To Heal a Broken World” presented at Elon University (where Our Lady of the Angels Province Friar, Fr. Gerald Waterman, OFM Conv. serves as Chaplain of the Catholic Campus Ministry). The presentation expressed what Judaism, Islam & Christianity say about Social Justice. On hand were a Priest (Friar Michael), a Rabbi and a Muslim who talk about why they promote social justice & how their tradition motivated them. There were two sessions: January 7th and January 14th.
Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. was born in Baltimore, Professed his Solemn Vows in our Order in 1998, and was Ordained to the Priesthood in 2000. Prior to his ordination, began his ministry in the province as a teacher at St. Francis High School in 1997, taking a break from ministry to earn his M.Div. and get ordained, returning to the high school to teach from 2000-2005. He spent the next five years as Campus Minister, at Western Connecticut State University, in Danbury, CT. In 2010, he began a two year assignment as Regional Director for the Americas, of Franciscans International (FI), in NY, working at the United Nations (UN) to address human rights injustices that impact on the poor and most vulnerable. After spending time in Spanish Studies, Bogota, Columbia, he served as the Parish Administrator and Campus Minister of Newman Student Center Parish, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC). He is currently residing in our SS. Francis and Clare Friary, in Washington DC.
Friar Michael was one of the Religious Leaders to sign the Franciscan Action Network and Muslim Leaders’ Joint Statement on Anti-Muslim Rhetoric. As the Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of our Province, Friary Michael uses his gift for preaching, flair for presentation and generosity of spirit to reach out to everyone he meets; living our the loving charism of St. Francis of Assisi. His love for justice for all has no limitation; no matter what faith or cultural background ideals are held by those around him. As indicated in the picture here, he works with the rest of the friars of our Province, our Order and the world around us to help educate, encourage, mediate and be an example of PEACE in our time.
As the new year quickly approaches, we friars would like to remind you of our upcoming
“Pilgrimage of the Relics of St. Maximilian Kolbe.”
From some of those strands, four identical reliquaries were created, one of which will be venerated during this pilgrimage.
In commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Conventual Franciscan Friar, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Our Lady of the Angels Province has scheduled a pilgrimage of a relic throughout our province U.S. and Canadian territory. The reliquary pictured here is one of four that was created in 1971 (11 years prior to his canonization – thus marked as B. Max. Kolbe as he was then only elevated to blessed) to hold a portion of his beard that in 1938 was shaved after Friar Maximilian received permission from his Minister Provincial. It contains many symbols from the life of St. Maximilian: the base is in the shape of his birthplace of Poland, covered in the “thorns” of occupation by the Third Reich. Out of those thorns, however, burst forth a lily of purity and a tulip of martyrdom – symbols of love triumphing over hate. The strands of our saint’s beard are housed in a glass case entwined with our Franciscan knotted cord representing his vocation to our Order and our vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
St. Maximilian first grew out his long beard to enhance his missionary work in Japan where the beard helped to earn the respect of the people he served. Upon his return to Poland, under the National Socialism, the beard instead provoked not only his own persecution but the persecution of his fellow friars, “Beards provoke the enemy who rapidly is approaching our friary. Our Franciscan habits also will provoke him. I can part with my beard. I can’t sacrifice my habit.” After having shaved Maximilian’s beard, one of the friars placed it in a pouch. Strands of the beard still are preserved in the Niepokalanow archives. (Claude R. Foster, Mary’s Knight, Marytown Press 2013, p. 586) From some of those strands, four identical reliquaries were created, one of which will be venerated during this pilgrimage.
Click the above image to order copies of St. Maximilian Kolbe: Martyr of Charity
In 1941, St. Maximilian demonstrated heroic charity by giving his life in place of fellow prisoner, Franciszek Gajowniczek; a husband and father who was one of ten men chosen to suffer death by starvation after being subjected to hours of standing in the hot summer sun, in the Auschwitz (Poland) concentration camp during World War II as consequence for one prisoner’s successful escape. Franciszek’s a cry of despair,” What will become of my family?” moved Saint Maximilian to step forward and ask to be taken instead. Canonized October 10, 1982, St. Maximilian Kolbe was declared the “Patron Saint of our difficult century,” and a Martyr of Charity, by Pope Saint John Paul II.
PILGRIMAGE OF THE RELIC OF
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE
2016 Itinerary (Updates Will Occur Upon Change)
A bearded St. Maximilian smiles over the heads of his fellow friars, over whom he served as Guardian
O God, who gave the Church and the world the priest and martyr
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, burning with love for the Immaculate Virgin Mary and with apostolic zeal for souls and heroic love of neighbor, graciously grant, through his intercession, that striving for Your glory by eagerly serving others, we may be conformed, even until death, to Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen
Franciscans Honor Saint of Auschwitz with Relic Tour
