The Portiuncula nestled inside of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
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. He asked the Pope to grant 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. Please check our Pastoral Ministry Page and Special Ministry Page for links to our ministry locations near you as we encourage all to visit and celebrate with us.
A Feast of Our Lady of the Angels message from Fr. Donald Grzymski, OFM Conv., President of Archbishop Curley High School (Baltimore)
Thoughts on the 2015 Feast Day, by Friar Edward Costello, OFM Conv.: “As I commemorate my sixtieth anniversary of First (Simple) Profession this year, I am reminded that I was a member of the last Immaculate Conception Province Novitiate Class to receive the Franciscan habit (during the preceding year’s Investiture) in one of the major churches of the province, namely Our Lady of the Angels, located in Albany, NY. At the same Investiture were Fr. Canice Connors, OFM Conv. and Fr. Richard Rossell, OFM Conv. It was a beautiful church and on the sanctuary apse was a painting to celebrate Our Lady of the Angels (pictured here). For some of us, it remains a revered memory.”
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli
He also adds:
” My first visit to the actual Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the valley below Assisi was on the eve of the feast in 1999 during my service as pilgrim guide and confessor at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. The great basilica built over the small portiuncula chapel had been severely damaged in the earthquake of the preceding year and was being opened for the first time on the eve of August first for the celebration of the feast. I had walked down through fields of sunflowers on a sun-drenched evening to join the thousands who were waiting to enter for the indulgence. I had not known that prior to the opening of the great doors the gold-plated statue of Our Lady would hoisted back up to its place on the facade. There it stood on a truck bed wrapped in supports. As the sun began to set a crane was raised up and lifted the the statue of Mary slowly and seemingly so gentlly. As the statue neared the upper level it swayed to the left and paused, back to the center and paused, and then to the right and paused before it was set in place. Thousands of voices shouted and thousands of hands applauded as if Mary were blessing the portion of the gathering in each direction. Then finally, it seemed, Mary was back home to await her earthly family. The doors opened; we rushed in to visit, as St. Francis had arranged, her and her Son.”
Side Notes: At age 80, Friars Ed, Canice and Richard is some of our most senior friars. Friar Ed actively serves the people of God, through our ministry at Mother Cabrini Catholic Church, in Shamokin, PA. As Fr. Donald states in the video above, Immaculate Conception Province and St. Anthony of Padua Province united in May 2014 and all of our friars are now members of the newly established Our Lady of the Angels Province.
Fr. Carl Zdancewicz, OFM Conv. is pastor of our ministries at Our Lady of Fatima Mission and Our Lady of Mercy Church, in Winston-Salem, NC.
He presented this Feast Day bulletin note to his parishioners:
Procession of the Relic of Saint Kateri on the way to the Purification Rite of the Sacred Smoke
The 2015 celebration of St. Kateri at the National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha began with Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th Masses and ended with the Mass on the Feast Day of Saint Kateri, Tuesday, July 14th. The Mass on Saturday Evening drew approximately 150 people to a simple but deeply spiritual event. The Sunday gathering was celebrated with over 200 congregants, with more on a ceremonial emphasis for the many guests from near and far; the most distant traveler being Maryknoll Missionary Fr. Edmundo, from Peru. The Mass began with a procession carrying the relic of St. Kateri and a purification rite when sacred smoke is passed over the people. The singing was in Mohawk with the women from Akwesasne playing drums and rattles. After the Mass was concluded all were invited to the fire pit and the burning of recent petitions for healing and prayers. Prior to placing the basket in the pit, the fire was blessed with the traditional tobacco, by Friar Mark Steed, OFM Conv., Director of the Shrine.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Prayer
God of all creation, goodness and love,
our hearts are filled with gratitude and praise for You.
In our beloved St. Kateri You have found gentleness and peace.
In her You have heard once more “Jesus, I love You”.
In St. Kateri Tekakwitha You have given
Your Church a new maiden of the Gospel for Your Son.
As the indigenous peoples of North America
celebrate her goodness and as all the Church
honors her holiness we raise our voices in praise and joy.
You have given us a gift beyond all measure
and we ask You to help us celebrate this treasure
as we live holy and peace-filled lives in Your name.
Please continue to grant our request
and the needs of our brothers and sisters
through St. Kateri’s intercession in her heavenly home.
Amen.
June 7, 2015: Friar Edward led the thousands who gathered for the Eucharistic Procession on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), at St. Francis Catholic Church in Matugga, Uganda. At the 10:00 am Mass that day, 200 children received First Eucharist.
This summer (2015), Friar Edward Wambua Mulwa, OFM Conv. is one of four international Order of Friar Minor Conventual Franciscan (OFM Conv.) friars, from missions in Russia, Uganda and Ghana, assisting our Province Mission Advancement Office‘s 2015 Mission Appeal season. All Mission funds gathered in the 2015 appeals will be contributed to the needs and ministries of the friars of their home provinces. The four international friars visited, lived with, heard Confessions and celebrated Mass at more than 20 different parish communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. They also had the opportunity to spend quality time with their Our Lady of the Angels Province brothers while visiting many of our friaries during their stay in the United States. A Missionary in Russia, Friar Dariusz Harasimowicz, OFM Conv. was with us for 5 weeks of service before returning to St. Petersburg, where he has discovered that the young Church there can be reached through the modern liturgical music he writes and records. Friar Andrej Buko, OFM Conv., also a Missionary in Russia, will finish out this year’s summer appeals. Friar Emmanuel Acquaye, OFM Conv. (Ghana) lives in an Our Lady of the Angels Province friary while studying at Loyola University Maryland – Baltimore, MD. He has preached at several parish locations during the 2014 and 2015 summer months, including local Baltimore parish, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church; one if the newest parishes in our province ministry family. In 2014, he aided Ugandan Missionary, Friar Boguslaw Dabrowski, OFM Conv., and together they reached eighteen parish communities, during a very busy and productive summer.
May 6, 2015: Friar Boguslaw (right) joins in breaking ground on the construction of a new Franciscan presence in Kampala-Uganda, the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine, while Friar Edward holds the umbrella.
Novice, friar Jorge Lindo, OFM Conv. distributes candles at the outdoor Vigil Mass
St. Anthony of Padua holds a special place in the hearts of Franciscans and is often a”favorite saint” for the faithful. Compelled to leave the Religious Order of St. Augustine and become a follower of St. Francis due to the martyrdom of five Franciscan Friars in Morocco, this dear saint was a gifted, holy and educated speaker. His simple eloquence was, and still is, an inspiration to many Christians and his good works have led to the conversion of many. The Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua is June 13th.
The friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province celebrate this day in earnest. One such annual celebration is a Feast Day Pilgrimage at the Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD). Friars from around the province travel to Maryland, alongside hundreds of pilgrims for a day filled with Talks, Adoration, Mass, Confession, Sacramentals, Live Music and Activities for Children. The guest presenter for 2015 was Most Reverend Fr. Joachim Giermek, OFM Conv., the 118th successor of St. Francis as Minister General of the Order Friars Minor Conventual (2001-2007). Fr. Joachim, a friar of our province, currently ministers through RCIA programs, military chaplaincy and clergy support at many parishes in the Maryland area. Pilgrims traveled from near and far; some moved by encounters with our friars in ministry throughout Eastern North America, and some moved by a personal connection with St. Anthony. Over 700 pilgrims enjoyed a great day at the Shrine of St. Anthony.
St. Anthony of Padua ~ Pray for us!
“Christians must lean on the Cross of Christ just as travelers lean on a staff when they begin a long journey. They must have the Passion of Christ deeply embedded in their minds and hearts, because only from it can they derive peace, grace, and truth.”
~ St. Anthony of Padua (Doctor of the Church)
The Annual Linda’s Walk began in 2010 and is the largest fund raiser supporting St. Clare Inn, a transitional home where homeless women (aged 30-60), with mental health issues, where they find community, care, shelter, and support in their healing journey. The walk is named in honor of Linda Houston, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and who died of a heart attack, alone and homeless, in 1997. The people and the friars of the Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure, who often helped her out with some money and food, were moved by her tragic life circumstance and her resulting death. In 2007, St. Clare Inn was established by the Friends of Saint Francis, a group of dedicated professional lay men and women, along with our area friars. It operates under the direction of Executive Director, Friar Tom Purcell, OFM Conv. In its 6th year, Linda’s Walk 2015, an easy 5k walk through the area neighborhood, will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All funds raised will support the work of St. Clare Inn. Online Registration.
If you are not from the Toronto, Ontario area, you can still help the support the work of St. Clare Inn via a credit card donation online or by calling 416-690-0330. You can also mail donations to St. Clare Inn, c/o Friends of Saint Francis, Inc., 1300 Leslie Street, Toronto, ON M3C 2K9, Canada.
The gardens on the grounds of Mother Cabrini Catholic Church, in Shamokin, PA are quite beautiful. Parochial Vicar, Fr. Adam Ziolkowski, OFM Conv., spent many hours working on the church garden, in preparation for its summer peak, he then blessed it and put its growth into the hands of the Lord.
“Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.”
~ Excerpt from Canticle of Creation, St. Francis of Assisi
Canonized on October 21, 2012, St. Marianne Cope was only the 11th American to recognized as a saint. A Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities and the first Franciscan woman from North American to be canonized, she was greatly loved and is commonly known as the “beloved mother of outcasts.” She spent her early years in Central New York (the area around Syracuse), serving as a leader in her congregation. She was also a leader in the field of education, as a teacher and principal, as well as in field of health care, opening St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Utica and St. Joseph Hospital Health Center in Syracuse. These hospitals went against the norm of the time and served all, regardless of wealth, race or creed. In 1883, she left the people of New York to serve those afflicted with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) on Kalaupapa, Molokai, Hawaii. After opening a hospital and school in Maui, she and her sisters settled on the Kalaupapa peninsula, along side those who they lovingly served, creating a community filled with care and respect. There she stayed for the last 35 years of her life. Upon her death in 1918, her sisters stayed on and cared for the community they helped to create. To this day, no sister has ever contracted the disease, as promised by Mother Marianne.
The people of Syracuse still hold St. (Mother) Marianne Cope dear, a fact made evident as our Minister Provincial, the Very Rev. Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., blessed the newest addition in the back of the upper church, of The Franciscan Church of the Assumption. on June 4, 2015. There, parishioners and visitors will find a newly completed Shrine of St. Marianne Cope. Upon Mother Marianne’s 2012 canonization, the idea of adding the shrine was conceived by the former pastor and now the Vicar Provincial of our province, Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. Construction was completed under the leadership of the current pastor, Fr. Timothy Dore, OFM Conv. The new shrine houses a relic of the saint, as well as a plaque presented in October of 2012 to the parish, in commemoration of the Bishop of Honolulu, Most Rev. Clarence Silva’s, pilgrimage to Syracuse, accompanied by nine Hansen’s disease patients and residents of Kalaupapa, in recognition of the 8,000 patients banished to the Hawaiian Island of Molokai. The plaque honors their memory and that of Saint Marianne Cope. Also within the new shrine can be found an icon “written” by Friar Matthew Bond, OFM Conv., a Simply Professed friar in formation, of the Our Lady of the Angels Province Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa, in Oxford, England.
The New Shrine of St. Marianne Cope, in the Upper Church of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption
Mother Marianne was a native of Syracuse and has strong ties to the parish and the people of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption. However, she made Hawaii her final home and her remains were transported from Syracuse to the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, in Honolulu, in July of 2014. Her Feast Day is January 23rd.
Our Lady of the Angels Province has been entrusted with two major relics of St. Anthony of Padua. They both consist of petrified skin taken from the body of St. Anthony during the 1981 public recognition of his corpse. This was achieved during the 2nd time in history that his tomb was opened. It was first opened in 1263 by St. Bonaventure. The most well known of the two Our Lady of the Angels Province’s relics of St. Anthony is permanently displayed for veneration, in a gold bust at the Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD. In the narthex of the Shrine, the gold-leafed bust depicts the Portuguese Franciscan whom the whole world would come to love as a “finder of the lost.” In the middle of the flame portion of the reliquary bust is a precious first-class relic of the saint, gifted by the friars in Padua, in 1998. Catholics venerate, or pay respect to, relics as remembrances of a saint whose human body was once a “temple” of the Holy Spirit.
The second relic is encased in the gold reliquary-statuette of St. Anthony. Known as the Pilgrim Relic (pictured here), it is usually housed in the Provincial Offices. There are times when it does travel to different ministries within the Our Lady of the Angels Province. On Thursday, June 4, 2014 the Pilgrim Relic became part of nine days of Masses and Novena prayers to St. Anthony for the parishioners of The Franciscan Church of the Assumption, in Syracuse, NY, that began with a Mass of reception, presided over by the Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, the Very Rev. Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. During each day of the novena, there was time set aside for the parishioners’ and visitors ‘ veneration.
After celebrating and preaching the Mass for the 7th day of their Novena to St. Anthony of Padua (falling on the Feast of the Apostle and Martyr, St. Barnabas), Fr. Robert Amrhein, OFM Conv. assists the faithful of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, as they venerate the sacred relic.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 ~ St. Joseph Cupertino Friary’s Shrine of St. Anthony Chapel, Ellicott City, MD
Over fifty Our Lady of the Angels Province Friars gathered together in recognition of thirty-three friars’ 2015 milestone Anniversaries of Profession of Vows, Priesthood Ordinations and even an Episcopal Ordination. Bishop Elias James Manning, OFM Conv., Bishop Emeritus of Valença-Brazil, who celebrated his 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood and the 25th Anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination, presided at Mass. Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv., who celebrated 25 years as a priest-friar, was the Mass homilist. Fr. Firmin Finn, OFM Conv., who celebrated 60 years as a priest-friar, led the prayer before the meal. The friars of the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary hosted the event, inviting the lay staff of the Ellicott City campus to join, as well. Please keep these and all of the friars of our province in your continued prayers.
PROFESSION
65 Years
August 15, 1950: Friar Sam Zebron, OFM Conv.
August 27, 1950: Friar Conall McHugh, OFM Conv.
August 27, 1950: Friar Henry Madigan, OFM Conv.
60 Years
August 15, 1955: Friar Vincent Lachendro, OFM Conv.
August 15, 1955: Friar George Maslar, OFM Conv.
August 16, 1955: Friar Edward Costello, OFM Conv.
August 16, 1955: Friar Richard Rossell, OFM Conv.
August 16, 1955: Friar Canice Connors, OFM Conv.
50 Years
February 2, 1965: Bishop Enrique Montero, OFM Conv.
August 8, 1965: Friar Andre Picotte, OFM Conv.
August 15, 1965: Friar Germain Kopaczynski, OFM Conv.
August 15, 1965: Friar Romulus Rosolowski, OFM Conv.
40 Years
August 15, 1975: Friar Michael Kolodziej, OFM Conv.
August 15, 1975: Friar Jude Michael Krill, OFM Conv.
August 15, 1975: Friar Mitchell Sawicki, OFM Conv.
25 Years
August 4, 1990: Friar Michael Lorentsen, OFM Conv.
August 4, 1990: Friar James Fukes, OFM Conv.
August 5, 1990: Friar Stephen King, OFM Conv.
ORDINATION
60 Years
February 5, 1955: Friar Firmin Finn, OFM Conv.
50 Years
May 29, 1965: Friar Joseph Angelini, OFM Conv.
May 29, 1965: Friar Julian Zambanini, OFM Conv.
June 17, 1965: Friar Herman Czaster, OFM Conv.
June 17, 1965: Friar Alex Cymerman, OFM Conv.
October 30, 1965: Bishop Elias Manning, OFM Conv.
December 18, 1965: Friar Patrick Gallagher, OFM Conv.
40 Years
May 3, 1975: Friar Bartholomew Karwacki, OFM Conv.
May 3, 1975: Friar Mark Curesky, OFM Conv.
May 3, 1975: Friar Eugene Kole, OFM Conv.
June 29, 1975: Friar Jude Surowiec, OFM Conv.
July 4, 1975: Friar Giles Zakowicz, OFM Conv.
25 Years
June 2, 1990: Friar Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv.
June 9, 1990: Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv.
EPISCOPAL ORDINATION
25 Years
May 13, 1990: Bishop Elias J. Manning, OFM Conv.
Our Lady of the Angels Friars, Fr. Dennis Mason, OFM Conv., Fr. Julio Martinez, OFM Conv. and Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. {All living in and working out of the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, in Ellicott City, MD}, joined Bishop Denis J. Madden (Auxilary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore) and over 100 area priests, religious and people from multiple faiths, for a peaceful prayer march through the area where Freddie Gray was arrested and the recent riots in the City took place. The picture here (taken from The Catholic Review, May 27, 2015 article: At prayer walk, Bishop Madden floats ideas for helping West Baltimore) shows our friars among the marchers, as they leave the area where rioters burnt down a Baltimore business, owned by a Korean couple, with no insurance. At each of the “7 stops” there was a description of what happened at that location, prayers lead by the Bishop as was the recitation of the Peace Prayer. The spirit of St. Francis of Assisi could really be felt!
One of the many ministries of our friars is at the parish of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community, in Burlington, NC. In the May 30th The Times News online article, “IDs could bridge gap between law enforcement, Latino community,“ The work of Fr. Paul Lininger, OFM Conv., pastor of Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, as well as his parish community and Outreach Ministry, is highlighted. In a trust building event at the parish, the local police and the Latino community came together to foster better understanding and communication, including the issuance of ID cards, recognized by law enforcement agencies in Burlington, Graham, Elon and Gibsonville, and by Elon University campus police (Another Our Lady of the Angels friar, Fr. Gerald Waterman, OFM Conv. is the Chaplain for the Catholic Campus Ministry at Elon University). The trust that the people have in The Church was utilized to create a peaceful environment, full of informational opportunities. Continued events will aid in the success of the work of the FaithAction International House of Greensboro, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community, and Burlington Police Department.
Pastoral Leadership is one of the varied ways friars from Our Lady of the Angels Province serve. There are over 40 parishes throughout the province, from which there are numerous outreach programs operating as individual parish ministries, as well as joint community and partnership organizations. One such outreach is Simon’s Soup Kitchen, operating out of the parish center of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, in Seaside Heights, NJ. This outreach is run by Council #8415 of the Knights of Columbus. Throughout the off season months of October – April, this kitchen serves super from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays. The soup kitchen serves neighbors of all ages in need of a little help. Seaside Heights is a beach community, where business is strong during the summer months and sporadic during the 30 week “off season.” This is when Simon’s Soup Kitchen helps locals by serving over 250 meals-twice a week, to resident community members, who often need to stretch the summer tourism income, to last throughout the year. Summer is now in full swing so the kitchen is not open. This time is spent gathering resource and operating funds.
In the back of the parish rectory, there is a food pantry that is open every Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to continue the assist area residents in need throughout the whole year. There are always those whose every day is an “off season.” For those residents, the parish tries to provide some steady relief.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Pastor, Fr. Bart Karwacki, OFM Conv. invites you all to visit this parish community “down the shore,” for a weekend celebration of the Eucharist, alongside his welcoming Spirit filled parishioners, in their simple yet wonderful worship space.
St. Francis of Assisi viewed all in the world as his brothers and sisters; each living person, animal, or plant has a place in this world because we are all created by God. Because of his profound understanding of all of creation, he is considered the patron saint of the environment. As the Franciscan Friars we founded by St. Francis of Assisi, this ideal is held strong in the heart of every friar. We Franciscan Friars Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province are no exception. Throughout the Province, friars work diligently to be good stewards of God’s creation, including the environment and a promotion of a loving respect for all of God’s creatures. The friars who are based in Ellicott City, Maryland, have taken that mindset to an extremely practical path of energy efficiency.
There have been two phases of solar panel placements on the Ellicott City property. Phase I was slated to support the Portiuncula Friary (pictured a the 16:30 mark in the video link below). The friars who live there work in several ministries, including the on-site Provincial House. Phase II, a much larger installation, supports the energy needs of the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary (pictured at the 16:19 mark in the video link below) from which several ministries flow, including the on-site Shrine of St. Anthony. Any energy credit that remains from the Phase II panels is directed to the consumption needs of Carrollton Hall, an on-site historic landmark house museum. On an annual basis, the system was designed to provide enough electricity to cover the needs of the entire property. In 2014, ALL ELECTRIC USAGE for the Portiuncula Friary was completely provided through the panels, with approximately 6,000 kWh to spare.
Featured in the Wednesday, May 27, 2015 edition of EWTN News Nightly, at the 16:07 mark.
The Canticle of the Creatures Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessing. To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no man is worthy to mention Your name. Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of You, Most High One. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong. Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs. Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love and bear infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned. Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no living man can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.
The Catholic University of America – Campus Ministry sent 43 students on summer mission trips at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. Br. Jim Moore, OFM Conv., Associate Campus Minister for Justice and Missions (top left) traveled to Jamaica for ten days with 14 of the students. The other 29 students traveled to Belize and to El Paso–Juárez, the second largest bi-national metropolitan area on the Mexico-United States border.
“As I commemorate my sixtieth anniversary of First (Simple) Profession this year, I am reminded that I was a member of the last Immaculate Conception Province Novitiate Class to receive the Franciscan habit (during the preceding year’s Investiture) in one of the major churches of the province, namely Our Lady of the Angels, located in Albany, NY. At the same Investiture were Fr. Canice Connors, OFM Conv. and Fr. Richard Rossell, OFM Conv. It was a beautiful church and on the sanctuary apse was a painting to celebrate Our Lady of the Angels (pictured here). For some of us, it remains a revered memory.”
