Br. Vivian signs the Book of Profession held by Fr. James
Br. Vincent Vivian, OFM Conv. made his Profession of Simple Vows in the Chapel of St. Hyacinth Friary, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Br. Paschal Kolodziej, OFM Conv. and Fr. Jude Surowiec, OFM Conv. were the canonical witnesses, as our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. received his vows, in the presence of local friars and visiting St. Bonaventure Province friar, Fr. Bob Cook, OFM Conv. The celebration continued after Mass, with the friars sharing a delicious meal at a local restaurant.
Canonical Witnesses: Br. Paschal Kolodziej, OFM Conv. (seen signing the Book of Profession) and Fr. Jude Surowiec, OFM Conv. (far right)
Having been approved for re-admission to the Order by then Minister General, the Most Reverend Fr. Marco Tasca, OFM Conv. and his General Definitory. Br. Vincent was re-invested in the habit of the Order as a member of Our Lady of the Angels Province, by Fr. James, during Mass in the Provincialate chapel, on September 3, 2018. At that time, he began the canonically required period of probation – living with and ministering as a healthcare assistant with our friars of St. Catharine of Siena Friary in Seaside Park, NJ. For health reasons, he moved with our Chicopee friars earlier this year.
Keep Br. Vincent and all of our friars in joyful prayer.
On May 25, 2019, the Ordinary General Chapter of the Friars Minor Conventual elected the Most Reverend Fr. Carlos Alberto Travarelli, OFM Conv. as the new Minister General of their religious family. The election took place at the Sacred Convent in Assisi.
The Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil belongs to the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the USA. On July 8-12, 2019, the friars gathered at the Monastery of São Bento in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The theme of the assembly was “Canon Law in the Consecrated Life.” The Benedictine monk, Anselmo Chagas preached and led the group of twenty-five religious.
Three years ago (2016) marked the 800th 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. Franciscans around the world celebrate August 2nd as the 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 special regard. There are many opportunities to join our friars that day, throughout our province and we encourage all to find a ministry location nearest to you. Visit our ministry locations page for more information, and follow the links to the ministry websites. We hope to see you.
More on the Feast Day and Il Perdono (the Portiuncula Indulgence): 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 (aka “Little Portion” and pictured at right) 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 chapel and the surrounding small parcel of land were is disrepair. Just as he had done at San Damiano, St. Francis rebuilt the chapel, 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 of Assisi, Pope Honorius 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 include from 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 Franciscan 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 Day, 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 (below) 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 we stated before, for we friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, this Feast Day has singular significance.
Congratulations, Fr. Nicholas Rokitka, OFM Conv.
on earning your MNA (Master of Nonprofit Administration)
from the Medoza College of Business
of the University of Notre Dame!
A native of Buffalo, NY, in 2006, Friar Nick had already earned a BS in Economic Crime Investigation, from Hilbert College, in Hamburg, NY, before he joined Our Lady of the Angels Province. A few year later, he Professed Simple Vows as a Franciscan Friar Conventual (2010) and was Ordained to the Priesthood in June 2016, after earning his STB & MDiv (Theology) from The Catholic University of America. In April 2018, Friar Nick was elected as our Province Treasurer during our Chapter 2018 Elections. In addition, he also serves the province as CoDirector of the St. Bonaventure Friary – Post Novitiate, in Silver Spring, Maryland.
During the Monday, July 22, 2019 Jubilarian Mass Celebration at our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD), friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv., friarJoseph Krondon, OFM Conv. and friar Antonio Moualeu, OFM Conv. will Profess their Simple (First/Temporary) Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. This week our North American Provinces celebrated the 2019 Investiture of five new Novices entering the Inter Provincial Novitiate. The event included the “Sending Forth” of our three graduating Novices of our province: friar Antonio Moualeu, OFM Conv. to further studies while living in community in the San Damiano Friary (San Antonio, TX), with friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv. and friar Joseph Krondon, OFM Conv. moving onto further studies while living in community in the St. Bonaventure Friar (Silver Spring, MD). For more on that celebratory day, click on Investiture Celebration. As these three friars will not profess their vows until Monday, their habits’ cords still are not yet knotted. These friars officially entered the Novitiate and were vested in the habit of our Order, during their own Investiture in July 2018 (the photo above was taken that day). During this year’s ceremony, our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. presented them with new knotted cords – the three knots symbolizing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience – as well as gifting to each of them a Blue Cross.
On Monday ~ July 22, 2019, less than a week after their Sending Forth, these three friars will don their new knotted cords and profess their Simple (Temporary) Vows, in the presence of a large gathering of their confreres, family, guests, supporters, and shrine pilgrims.
Please keep them and all of our Province 2019 Jubilarians in your prayers!
2019 Profession Jubilarians
80 Years Friar Lucjan Krolikowski, OFM Conv.
70 Years Friar Boniface Reinhart, OFM Conv.
65 Years Friar Raymond Borkowski, OFM Conv.
60 Years Friar Joseph Angelini, OFM Conv. Friar Julian Zambanini, OFM Conv.
50 Years Friar Mark Szanyi, OFM Conv. Friar Ross Syracuse, OFM Conv.
Friar Dennis Mason, OFM Conv.
40 Years Friar Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv. Friar Russell Governale, OFM Conv.
25 Years Friar Gregory Spuhler, OFM Conv. Friar Robert Benko, OFM Conv.
Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv.
Friar Pedro DeOliveira, OFM Conv.
Friar Vincent Rubino, OFM Conv.
2019 Ordination Jubilarians
65 Years Friar Boniface Reinhart, OFM Conv.
60 Years Friar Augustine Pilatowski, OFM Conv.
50 Years Friar Anthony Francis Spilka, OFM Conv.
Friar Martin Breski, OFM Conv.
Friar Joachim Giermek, OFM Conv.
40 Years Friar Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv.
Friar Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, OFM Conv.
Friar Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Friar Michael Sajda, OFM Conv.
Friar Joseph Dorniak, OFM Conv.
Friar Peter Knaapen, OFM Conv.
Friar Thomas Reist, OFM Conv.
Newly Invested friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv. (far right) stands next to our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., along with our friar novices from our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody – friar Kyle Banks, OFM Conv. and friar Peter Flynn, OFM Conv.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019: friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv. was invested in the Franciscan Friars Conventual habit along with four more friars from his Postulancy Class. He is pictured at right being vested by our minister provincial. After completing their initial year of formation, living in community in St. Bonaventure Friary (our Order’s North American InterProvincial Postulancy – Chicago,IL), these friars are now in the Novitiate stage of formation. They will spend this next stage living in community in St. Francis of Assisi Friary (our Order’s North American InterProvincial Novitiate – Arroyo Grande, CA). Already invested as novices this past November, friar Kyle Banks, OFM Conv. and friar Peter Flynn, OFM Conv. of our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody (Great Britain/Ireland) will continue their studies alongside these five Newly Invested Novices. Please keep all of our friars in formation in your continued prayers.
All of the newly Invested Novices – friar Roberto, friar Joshua, friar Alex, friar Michael and friar Chris – pictured with their Postulancy Director, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. (2nd right)
Congratulations to: friar Michael Hintze, OFM Conv. ~ St. Bonaventure Province friar Joshua Sherls, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of Consolation Province friar Alexander Gould, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of Consolation Province friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of the Angels Province friar Roberto Macias-Marin, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of Consolation Province
As part of the celebrations, the three graduating Novices of our province were “Sent Forth” onto their continuing studies. The chapel was full as we vested the five new novices in the habit of our Order and sent forth friar Antonio Moualeu, OFM Conv. to further studies while living in community in San Damiano Friary (San Antonio, TX), as well as friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv. & friar Joseph Krondon, OFM Conv. to further studies while living in community in St. Bonaventure Friar (Silver Spring, MD). At left, they are pictured receiving their blue crosses and knotted cords (at right) from our Minister Provincial.
As these new friars have not yet professed their vows, you will notice their habits’ cords around their waists are not knotted. Upon their Simple Profession of Vows, the cords of their habits will hold three knots symbolizing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. On Monday ~ July 22, 2019, just few days after this Investiture and Sending Ceremony, these three friars will don their new knotted cords as they profess their Simple (Temporary) Vows during our Province Jubilee Mass; celebrating milestone years of Profession or Ordination. The Jubilee Mass with Simple Vow Profession will be held at our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD).
Our Province Friars who were on hand for the day’s celebration (left to right/top to bottom rows): Fr. Russell Governale, OFM Conv. (Province Vocation Director), the Very Reverend Fr. Michael Zielke, OFM Conv. (currently serving as Minister Provincial of St. Bonaventure Province), Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. (Novitiate Assistant Director), Fr. Mark Szanyi, OFM Conv. (Prefect of Formation & Pastor of St. Lucie Catholic Church, in Port St. Lucie, FL), friar Joseph Krondon, OFM Conv., friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv., Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. (Postulancy Director), friar Antonio Mouleau, OFM Conv., Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of St. Peter RCC, in Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ), friar Kyle Banks, OFM Conv., the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial), friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv. and friar Peter Flynn, OFM Conv. Missing from photo: Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv. (CFF Assistant General of the Order)
Photo Cred: Saint Kateri National Shrine and Historic Site
The Most Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, presided and preached at the Sunday, July 14, 2019, 10:30 a.m. Mass of Celebration for the Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, during the Annual St. Kateri Feast Day Weekend, at our Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine and Historic Site, in Fonda, NY. Our friars concelebrating the Mass were our Minister Provincial ~ the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (right), Chaplain of the Shrine ~ Fr. Timothy Lyons, OFM Conv. (left of Bishop Scharfenberger), Instructor at St. Francis High School – Athol Springs, NY ~ Fr. Max Avila, OFM Conv. (2nd from left) and Pastor of St. Adalbert RCC – Elmhust, NY ~ Fr. Miroslaw Podymniak, OFM Conv. (far left)
Pilgrims from far and wide, including New York City, areas of New England, and Canada filled the Shrine’s St. Maximilian Pavilion for Sunday’s liturgy which incorporated a Smudge and Four Direction Purification Ceremony during the penitential rite (right) and music with the Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa. Veneration of the Holy Relic of St. Kateri followed Mass. The weekend began on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., with a day filled talks, presentations, music, testimonials, and veneration of the relic of St. Kateri. Among the presenters was Kay Olan, a Mohawk educator and storyteller, music by the Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa, and a Four Directions smudging of sacred plants. Mass on Saturday was concelebrated by Friar Tim and Friar Max. The evening ended with a 7:00 p.m. prayer and healing circle with Terry Steele, who sits on the St. Kateri Shrine Council and is a member of the Algonquin nation. There were also several opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation available over the weekend.
Fr. Max Avila, OFM Conv. and Br. Gerry Seipp, OFM Conv. stopped for a quick photo in the beautiful sunshine. Photo Cred: Fr. James
There are many more events and celebrations happening at our National Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine and Historic Site throughout the summer, including their 21st Annual Kateri Tekakwitha Peace Conference, August 16 & 17, 2019. Visit the Shrine’s “News & Events” webpage for more details.
Our National Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine and Historic Site (Fonda, NY) will celebrate the annual weekend of festivities surrounding the Feast Day of their Patron Saint, Kateri Tekakwitha, July 13-14, 2019. The Shrine is a very unique property ~ “a sacred place of peace and healing; a place of history and holiness.”
Saturday, June 6, 2019: Our Minister Provincial, the Very Rev. Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. was joyfully in attendance as the friars of our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody (aka the Greyfriars of Great Britain/Ireland) celebrated the Priesthood Ordination of Fr. Colin Mary Edwards, OFM Conv.,
by Bishop Michael Gregory Campbell OSA, at the Blackfriars Priory, of Oxford University.
Friar Colin Mary is from the UK, has also lived in Africa and has traveled extensively. Prior to joining the Order, he lived in London where he worked as a teacher and principal in inner-city schools. Several of our Our Lady of the Angels Province friars were in attendance. His Novitiate classmate, Br. Emnanuel Wenke, OFM Conv. (Theology Instructor at our Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, MD; pictured in bottom photo 3rd from left) also made the trip to Oxford to share in the celebrations, as did Fr. Dan Quackenbush, OFM Conv. (Pilgrim Guide at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi – in Assisi, Italy; pictured below 5th from right). Two of Our Lady of the Angels Province friars serving in the Custody were also on hand: Fr. Giles Zakowicz, OFM Conv. (Director of Formation at the Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Friary – Oxford) and Fr. Matthew Chadwick, OFM Conv. (Parish Priest – St. Anthony’s Parish – Rye, East Sussex).
Many of the friars were on hand as Fr. Colin Mary celebrated his First Mass of Thanksgiving, including his Formators – Friar Giles (far right corner) and Friar Jarosław Zachariasz, OFM Conv. of Poland (back row center) and his Provincial Custos, Very Rev. Ciprian Budău, OFM Conv. (right of Friar Colin Mary)
Having been approved for re-admission to the Order by then Minister General, the Most Reverend Fr. Marco Tasca, OFM Conv. and his General Definitory. Br. Vincent was re-invested in the habit of the Order as a member of Our Lady of the Angels Province, by Fr. James, during Mass in the Provincialate chapel, on September 3, 2018. At that time, he began the canonically required period of probation – living with and ministering as a healthcare assistant with our friars of St. Catharine of Siena Friary in Seaside Park, NJ. For health reasons, he moved with our Chicopee friars earlier this year. 
More on the Feast Day and 
itial year of formation, living in community in St. Bonaventure Friary (our Order’s North American 
As part of the celebrations, the three graduating Novices of our province were “Sent Forth” onto their continuing studies. The chapel was full as we vested the five new novices in the habit of our Order and sent forth friar Antonio Moualeu, OFM Conv. to further studies while living in community in San Damiano Friary (San Antonio, TX), as well as 
Many of the friars were on hand as Fr. Colin Mary celebrated his First Mass of Thanksgiving, including his Formators – Friar Giles (far right corner) and Friar Jarosław Zachariasz, OFM Conv. of Poland (back row center) and his Provincial Custos, Very Rev. Ciprian Budău, OFM Conv. (right of Friar Colin Mary)
