Happy New Year 2019!
Rejoice with us as we celebrate the milestones
of God's grace and faithfulness
in the lives of our brothers . . .
Franciscans Gather Together at Graymoor
From November 6-9, our brothers Kip Ledger, OFM Cap., and Jim Mungovan, OFM Cap., led our Postulants to the Atonement Spirituality Center in Graymoor, NY, for the semi-annual gathering of the Inter-Franciscan Formation Program. Br. John Petrikovic, OFM Cap., one of our friars in the Province's Ministry of Preaching, was invited to lead the participants in the days of reflection on Francis & Clare: Finding the Incarnation's Face.
Celebrating Fidelity and Grace
Every year, our Province fraternities take time in October to celebrate the friars whose commitment and faithfulness mark an impotant milestone. Our "Provincial Jubilees" recognize the men who have been faithful in following the Lord's call to life and ministry in his name.
This year's celebrationg took place in Allison Park, PA's St. Catherine of Sweden parish, while our own "home" church in Lawrenceville, is undergoing renovation and expansion of our mother house property. John Daya, OFM Cap., pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Philadelphia, PA, celebrating 40 years of life as a priest friar, served as homilist, while Bob Herrick, OFM Cap., celebrated his 40th anniversary of life as a Capuchin by leading the gathering in prayerful song. Our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., served as celebrant.
Meet our New Capuchin Leadership Team
Meet our new Ministers and Council for our Order of Capuchin Franciscans (OFM Cap., Order of Friars Minor Capuchin). We celebrate the Holy Spirit's work among us, and we thank these men for accepting their roles in the leadership of the fourth largest Order of Religious men in the world. See who they are and where they're from -- and pray for us was we accept the challenges to follow in the footprints of our Lord Jesus Christ through the inspiration of Ss. Francis and Clare of Assisi.
Our New International Minister
Beginning on Monday, September 3, 2018, the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin has a new Minister General: Br. Roberto Genuin, OFM Cap., a member of the Province of the Holy Cross, Italy. In the vote held today during the 185th General Chapter in Rome, Roberto was elected on the first ballot obtaining 101 votes out of 188 of the capitulars, representing the more than 10,000 Friars scattered throughout the world. Having accepted the Chapter’s decision, he became our new International Minister, traditionally considered the "successor to St. Francis of Assisi," and the brother who is called to serve the needs of the Order, the brothers who live the life of the Friars Minor Capuchin.
Br. Tage Ordained a Deacon
We didn't have to wait long to get the number of Provincial deacons back to two. Our brother Phil White, OFM Cap., was ordained to the priesthood in June, but the summer's ending witnessed the diaconate ordination of Br. Tage Danielson, OFM Cap., on Saturday, September 1.
Our Brothers are now Vowed for Life
Five of our brothers made their perpetual profession of Solemn Vows as Capuchin Franciscan Friars on Saturday, August 18, at our Mother church of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh, PA. You can see all the photos in our web Gallery.
We thank the Lord for the gift of our brothers' covenant, and we pray that the Lord continue to bless their journeys in the footprints of Jesus Christ as St. Francis of Assisi inspired us.
First Vows for Three Friars
July saw the first Profession of our brothers Paul Rahn, OFM Cap., Collin Kourtz, OFM Cap. & Mike Herlihy, OFM Cap. They completed their year of novitiate in July. Held at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Allison Park, PA, the ceremony marks the brothers' initial commitment to their lives as Capuchin Franciscans. The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience bind them to our fraternity and to the life of the Church in its mission to live the life of the Gospel.
Novitiate: A Year of Prayer & Brotherhood
Our life is not about habits - the traditional garment worn by the Capuchin brotherhood. It's about the life of the person wearing it, and our Capuchin Province of St. Augustine rejoices in the four brothers who donned that habit in July.
Novices and newest "Brothers" (clockwise from upper right) Seth Dwyer, Joe Morton and Luke Kim began their novitiate year on July 22nd and join their 12 other confreres under the guidance of Novice Director Robert Stewart, OFM Cap. (Australia) and our own Phil Bernier, OFM Cap. & Bill Talentino, OFM Cap., who serve on the novitiate staff.
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