Franciscans from around the world celebrate both the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi (on October 3rd) and his Feast Day (on October 4th). The definition of “transitus” is the “transit of a person or property en route from one place to another.” For Franciscans, Transitus marks the night Francis left his earthly life, to move onto a life in heaven with Our Lord Jesus. He died, on the evening of October 3, 1226, a small man in his forties who had wanted to live a simple life in service to God. Traditionally Saints’ Feast Days mark the date of death and are remembered with special mention, prayers, and scripture readings. For us the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th is so much more. It is a day filled with celebration and joy; blessing animals, gathering for meals and enjoying the fellowship of our brothers and those we serve. Just as with all of the saints, it is the day Francis obtained Eternal Life.
In his time the message of St. Francis of Assisi attracted many followers across Europe. Francis could have led a life of luxury and earthly power. He was born into a wealthy cloth merchant family in Assisi, Italy around 1181 or 1182. As a young man he spent his days admiring Troubadours who traveled across Europe and performed their poetic songs to audiences. He also partook in raucous celebrations and planned on becoming a knight. His forays as a warrior against nearby Perugia ended in capture and imprisonment. The time in isolation allowed Francis to reflect on what God really wanted him to do in life.
Today, in the 21st century, there are three Franciscan First Orders (Friars Minor aka O.F.M with brown habits and short hoods, Capuchin Franciscans aka O.F.M. Cap. with dark brown habits and long hoods, and the Conventual Franciscans aka O.F.M Conv. with grey/black habits). The Conventual Franciscans, the Order to which our friars belong, span the globe. We are recognized by our grey (often almost black) habits, the three knotted cord representing the Vows of Poverty, Chastity & Obedience, and with “O.F.M. Conv.” following printed names of the members. The friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province serve up and down the East Coast of North America, as well as in several other countries and many celebrations took place in our friaries, shrines & ministries throughout our province commemorating these days; so important to all Franciscans.
The Transitus was celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Parish at the conclusion of the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, October 3rd. Students and alumni from Bishop McCort Catholic High School who portrayed the grieving friars and St. Francis. These “friars” bore their “Holy Father St. Francis” during the ceremony, in a solemn procession accompanied with prayers and music. They are pictured here, along with Fr. Anthony Francis Spilka, OFM Conv., Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church.
St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day Dinner in Raleigh NC. From Blessed Sacrament Friary in Burlington NC: Friar Briant, Friar Paul, Friar Gerald and Friar Vincent. From Our Lady of Guadalupe Friary in Pittsboro NC: Friar Ramond, Friar Joseph, Friar Jacek and Friar Michael. From Our Lady of the Angels Friary in Winston-Salem, NC: Friar Joseph and Friar Carl. From St. Anthony of Padua Friary in Durham NC: Friar Brad, Friar Bill, Friar Michael, Friar Andrew, Friar Michael and friar Emanuel.
Blessing of the Animals: The friars of St. Francis Friary (Syracuse NY), including Fr. Brennan-Joseph Farleo, OFM Conv. bless the animals of the community surrounding the many ministries located in Syracuse, including The Franciscan Church of the Assumption.
To celebrate Pope Francis’ last stop on his USA tour, a group of fifty-two (52) pilgrims from Our Lady of Mercy Church, of Winston-Salem, NC bused up to Philadelphia by coach on September 26-28, 2015. According to Our Lady of the Angels Province Friars, Fr. Carl Zdancewicz, OFM Conv., pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church and Our Lady of Fatima Mission, “It was a spectacular and very spiritual event all in one. It still is difficult to imagine about one million people praying together and celebrating the Mass. There were plenty of things to endure, like security and the subway ride back to our buses, but all of our group were simply overjoyed to be there in Philly with Pope Francis.”
friar Don Bassana, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of Consolation Province), friar Israel Arauz-Rosiles, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of Consolation Province), fr. Maximilian Avila, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), friar José María Lindo OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), friar Patrick Roth, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province) and friar Thomas Fetz, OFM Conv. (St. Bonaventure Province) wait in the Basilica for Mass to begin. There, on large screens, they could view the Liturgy live that was taking place just outside of the Basilica doors.
Friar José María Lindo OFM Conv., a friar in formation for Our Lady of the Angels Province, living in St. Bonaventure Friary (Post Novitiate), studying at The Catholic University of America, and his thoughts on their experience during Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S., where he and his brothers attended the September 23, 2015 Saint Junipero Serra Canonization Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception:
“Our wait for Pope Francis was worth every minute. It was a moment of so much anxiety and at the same time bonding as we sat on a pew for nearly 6 hours. The most amazing moment for me was receiving his blessing and “forwarding” his blessing to all our brothers and benefactors that made this moment possible for us. This whole experience was filled with brotherhood and love as we met our brothers from other orders and religious institutions. We all had a special glow on our faces we were just bursting with genuine joy. It was a true encounter with Christ through pope Francis!”
Photo of friar José María’s viewpoint as the excited gathering “inside” of the Basilica, including the arms and top of the head of friar Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv., another friar in formation for Our Lady of the Angels Province, is greeted by Pope Francis.
friar Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv. excited to be so close to the Holy Father
Excerpt from a September 17, 2015 letter from the Most Reverend Fr. Marco Tasca, OFM Conv., Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (Rome)
Giving One’s Life
The Heart and Possibility of the Mission
In View of the Beatification of Friar Miguel and Friar Zbigniew
The year dedicated to the consecrated life is coming to an end. It has been a year of deeper understanding about what it means to be prophetic in the heart of the Church and for the world. Now we are on the cusp of a jubilee year whose theme will be mercy, that mercy upon which “our salvation depends” and which is “the bridge that connects God and man” (Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus no. 2). On December 5, two of our confreres, Friar Michał Tomaszek and Friar Zbigniew Strzałkowski will be beatified. …
My dear brothers, may the Lord give you Peace!
Friar Marco Tasca Minister General
Events Connected to the Beatification
December 4, 2015: Prayer vigil late evening and night – Cathedral of Chimbote
December 5, 2015: Beatification, 10:00 a.m. – Chimbote Stadium, Ancash Region, Peru
December 6, 2015: Mass of Thanksgiving, 10:00 a.m. – Señor de Mayo Church, Pariacoto
December 7, 2015: Mass of Thanksgiving, 8:00 p.m. – Nuestra Señora de la Piedad Church, Lima
December 8, 2015: Mass of Thanksgiving, 8:00 p.m. – Cathedral of Lima,
presided by His Eminence Juan Luis Cardinal Cipriani Thorne, Archbishop of Lima
Please take a moment to read: “A Witness to the Life and Martyrdomof Friars Michał Tomaszek and Zbigniew,” by Fr Jarosław Wysoczański, OFM Conv., who lived and worked with these two friars, who “dedicated themselves to serving the people with both hands — with the Gospel and charity — in order to restore to them the dignity of the sons and daughters of God.”
Newman/UNC see the Pope in Washington D.C.: Seven students, who form the core of our Climate Justice group at the Newman Catholic Student Center Parish at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, made pilgrimage to Washington D.C. to participate in events surrounding the Pope’s visit. On Wednesday, they participated in a workshop hosted by Franciscan Action Network, which helps college students to better understand and implement “Laudato Si” on campus. That evening they took part in an interfaith prayer vigil where members of the Franciscan Family and others broke their 10-day fast for Climate Justice. Much to our surprise we were gifted at the last minute two tickets for the outdoor balcony of the Capitol and five other tickets for the Capitol lawn. After the Pope’s speech we all enjoyed the Interfaith Climate Justice Rally/Concert on the National Mall, which was sponsored by Franciscan Action Network.
Giavani verso Assisi Pilgrims with Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. (left) and The Most Reverend Fr. Marco Tasca, OFM Conv., Minister General of the Order of the Friars Minor Conventual (center)
Giovani verso Assisi 2015: Nine young adults (4 from Newman/UNC, 3 from Duke and 2 from the Syracuse area, one of which is an alum of FrancisCorps) represented the USA at this year’s Youth toward Assisi (Giovani verso Assisi 2015) retreat. The experience was totally revamped and included: a scavenger hunt across Assisi (where participants learned about the life of Francis along the way), many workshops on Franciscan themes with the most popular being playing Frisbee while learning about teamwork, serving the hungry in a San Egidio soup kitchen, and street evangelization in the various piazzas throughout the city of Rome. Also new to the program was a testimony of Polish Catholic rappers and an evening of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the lawn of the Seraphicum.
Items presented by Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv.
Parish Administrator of Newman Catholic Student Center Parish
Photograph by Ken Barbret (photographer from St. Philip Benizi Parish)
Mildred, age 91, represented the founding parishioners in the Ceremony of Blessing at the end of the Liturgy, as the parish hall was renamed, “Founders Hall.”
The Parish Community of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church (Jonesboro, Georgia) has been celebrating a series of events in 2015 to commemorate their 50th Anniversary. Over 1000 parishioners packed the church – standing room only – for the Golden Jubilee Liturgy on Saturday, September 12th. The Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory, S.L.D., Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta, planned on being the main celebrant and homilist but gridlocked traffic held him at bay. Our Lady of the Angels Minister Provincial, The Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. stepped in to preside and the Jubilee Festival Chorus filled the church with song. The Golden Jubilee Celebration Liturgy was followed by a delicious meal served to over a thousand people under a big tent in the San Damiano Lot, prepared entirely by parishioners. Archbishop Gregory made a surprise visit the following morning to apologize to the friars and parishioners for his absence the night before. The community of friars serving from the St. Philip Benizi Friary include pastor and friary guardian Fr. John Koziol, OFM Conv., Fr. Paul Miskiewicz, OFM Conv., Fr. Santo Cricchio, OFM Conv., Fr. Piotr Tymko, OFM Conv. and br. Colton Rodgers. They were joined by the many Deacons in active ministry and even more clergy who had served there in the past, as well as fellow friars, Fr. Nick Wolfa, OFM Conv., Fr. Russell Governale, OFM Conv., Fr. Abelardo Huanca, OFM Conv. and Fr. James for the festivities. The theme of the Jubilee, which continues with more events in the upcoming months, is: “Walking United as Faithful Disciples of Jesus Christ.” The next event will be held September 26-27, 2015, as the parish showcases their 50TH ANNIVERSARY ART EXHIBIT. As part of the continued Golden Jubilee Celebration, artists from St. Philip Benizi Parish will showcase their masterpieces of paintings, drawings, photographs, woodworking, and sculptures in the Founders Hall throughout that weekend. More than 30 artists will be represented, exhibiting over 100 pieces of original artwork, some of which will be available for purchase. A Wine & Cheese Reception will be held after the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass. If you will be in the Jonesboro area, stop in for a visit with this vibrant parish community and view these artists’ special gifts of time, talent, and treasure!
While living at St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, of the Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City), one of our friars, Fr. Joseph Dorniak, OFM Conv. recreated the beautiful fresco of the Stigmatization of St Francis (Upper Church of the Basilica of Sant Francis, Assisi – Italy), on the sanctuary wall of the Shrine’s Chapel.
St. Francis of Assisi visited the Mount La Verna (Assisi) six times for solitude: 1213, 1216, 1218, 1220, 1223 and 1224. In September 1224, he received the grace of Stigmata. It was on that last visit that he also composed The Praises of God. As this prayer indicates, he wanted to know and experience Christ completely and realized he would have to share in His Passion. Hence, he asked for the grace to know the love Christ had in His heart and experience the depth of His suffering. It was traditionally on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (September 14th), while in prayer on the mountainside, that St. Francis of Assisi had the vision of the seraph, and received the visible marks of the five wounds of Christ. Blessed Pope Benedict XI (Pope: October 22, 1303 – July 7, 1304 ~ Beatified:April 24, 1736) permitted the Franciscan Order to celebrate the Feast Day of the Sacred Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi on September 17th.
On the other side of the parchment he wrote his Blessing for Brother Leo. The parchment with the autographs of Francis is conserved as a relic in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.
The Praises of God
You are holy Lord God Who does wonderful things.
You are strong. You are great. You are the most high.
You are the almighty king. You holy Father,
King of heaven and earth.
You are three and one, the Lord God of gods;
You are the good, all good, the highest good,
Lord God living and true.
You are love, charity; You are wisdom, You are humility,
You are patience, You are beauty, You are meekness,
You are security, You are rest,
You are gladness and joy, You are our hope, You are justice,
You are moderation, You are all our riches to sufficiency.
You are beauty, You are meekness,
You are the protector, You are our custodian and defender,
You are strength, You are refreshment. You are our hope,
You are our faith, You are our charity,
You are all our sweetness, You are our eternal life:
Great and wonderful Lord, Almighty God, Merciful Savior.
Blessing for Brother Leo May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May He show His face to you and be merciful to you.
May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace.
Friars present at the September 10, 2015 Solemn Profession celebration for our Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa, Great Britain and Ireland
On the 10th of September 2015, The Feast of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa, the Greyfriars Custody of Great Britain and Ireland celebrated the Solemn Profession of Friar Maximilian Mary Martin, OFM Conv. (front row – third from left) and Friar Benedict Abugu, OFM Conv. (front row – fourth from right) at the Capuchin Church in Oxford. Present for the celebration were Friars from the Custody from Dublin, Wexford, Waterloo, Canterbury, and Oxford. Also present were members of the Legion of Mary, Religious students who study with our Friars, and family and friends of the Friars.
As Franciscan Friars Conventual, the friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province live in communities called friaries. These are not cloisters with friars locked behind gates in contemplative prayer. Our friars in public ministry are very visible and make it a priority to become part of the neighborhoods and parish communities where they live and serve. They open the doors of their churches, shrines and missions, welcoming the greater community to visit and become part of events, services and celebrations. Our friars also love to take part in neighborhood celebrations and events throughout the province. On a Sunday in late August, some of the friars living and serving in the area of Brooklyn, NY joined in a great feast-day celebration and parade (with some pretty colorful characters) in honor of Our Lady of Altagracia (Dominican Republic). Fr. Pedro De’Olivera, OFM Conv. (pastor of the Roman Catholic Church of Most Holy Trinity- St. Mary) and Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. (visiting for the summer before settling into his new ministry in Chicopee – MA) accompanied parishioners and Brooklyn’s Bishop for this important manifestation of faith.
