This is a time of prayer, of mourning, but also a time or rejoicing, since it falls right after Easter. It is a reminder to all of us, not only of the fragile nature of our human lives, but of the steadfast love of God for us and for His church. Certainly, that is what all of us hope for- unity with God, everlasting life in Christ. The message of the Resurrection and Easter hits home at such a time, that although Pope Francis has left this earth, the love of God continues and sustains all of us.

We also pray that the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit will direct the Cardinal electors as they gather for the Conclave to choose Pope Francis' sucessor.

 FROM THE GENERAL CURIA, ROME

April 22, 2025.  Easter Monday. 

Pope Francis has died this morning at 7:35 in Vatican City. The Holy See communicated the news with a message that has deeply touched the hearts of the faithful throughout the world: "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God".

 He was born on the 17th December, 1936 in Buenos Aires to a family of Italian origin, who emigrated to Argentina in 1928 seeking their fortune, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Supreme Pontiff on the 13th March, 2013, taking the name of Francis, the first in history. In fact, he is a Pope very close to St. Francis of Assisi, to the Franciscan charism and to the Franciscan friars. 

Immediately after the conclave, he himself recounted that during the ballot, as soon as the necessary votes for the election were obtained, his neighbour, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, OFM, archbishop emeritus of São Paulo and a great friend of his, embraced him and told him: "Don't forget the poor." Francis never did. "How I would like a Church that is poor and for the poor! This is why my name is Francis, like Francis of Assisi," he said in his first press conference as Pope, remembering the Poverello-poor man of Assisi as a man of poverty, a man of peace. It was a way to pray for the dead who had been ship-wrecked, but also to awaken our consciences to the suffering felt by so many men and women forced to leave their country of origin, arriving in foreign lands that do not welcome them, that forget them, that ignore their stories. 

Pope Francis encapsulated his thoughts on human fraternity in the encyclical Fratelli Tutti, taking up the words of St. Francis and signing it on the 3rd October, 2020 right on his tomb, in Assisi, to make it public on the 4th October, the liturgical feast of the saint. 

In 2016 he established the World Day of the Poor, a "concrete sign" of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy that the Holy Father wanted to celebrate in that year: a day so that every baptized person can reflect on how poverty is at the heart of the Gospel and that can encourage actions of solidarity towards the most needy, in every corner of the Earth. 

So, to the Earth, to the care of Creation and to the common home, on the 24th May, 2015 he dedicated another encyclical, Laudato Si', taking up the words of the Canticle of the Creatures that St. Francis wrote 800 years ago. By focusing on the concept of integral ecology, Pope Francis highlighted the interconnection between the environmental crisis and the social crisis of humanity, emphasizing the social, and not simply the "green," nature of the text. On the occasion of its publication, he also established the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which is celebrated every 1st September and begins the Season of Creation, which runs until the 4th October.  

On the anniversary of the Saint of Assisi, in 2023, the Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum was published, considered an "update" of Laudato Si', which focuses on the climate emergency and global warming that is now undeniable, due to the "unbridled human intervention on nature over the last two centuries" (LD, 14).  

Pope Francis has been close to the Franciscan friars several times, in a literal sense. We remember him visiting the Porziuncola on 4 August 2016, on the occasion of the VIII Centenary of the Pardon of Assisi; in Assisi several times, as on the occasion of the 2016 Prayer Meeting for Peace; in Greccio in 2019 for the release of his Apostolic Letter Admirabile Signum, focused on the meaning and value of the nativity scene; in his surprise visit to the friars of the of the Friary of Holy Land in Rome in 2021. He has repeatedly invited the Ministers General of the OFM to the Apostolic Palace and has also received the Franciscan Family in audience on the occasion of the Franciscan Centenaries, which we have been celebrating since 2023. 

On the other hand, the rescript with which the Pope derogated can. 588 §2 of the Code of Canon Law and the norms on the access of non-clerical religious, belonging to clerical Institutes of Pontifical Right (such as the OFM), to access government offices at all levels, thanks to which lay brothers can also become major superiors, bears the date of the 18th May, 2022. 

In the years of his pontificate, 4 OFM friars were created cardinals and 38 appointed bishops. He canonized the Martyrs of Damascus and beatified many friars and Sisters of the OFM, without ever forgetting his closeness to the Order on the anniversaries that are of interest to him, for example on the 100th anniversary of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Jerusalem.  

The process of choosing a new pope, called a papal conclave, typically begins 15 to 20 days after the death (or resignation) of a pope.

Here’s a brief breakdown of the timeline and procedure:

1. The Pope’s Death Is Officially Confirmed

• The Camerlengo (Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church) officially confirms the pope’s death and notifies the College of Cardinals.

• The pope’s ring (the Fisherman’s Ring) is destroyed to prevent forgery of documents.

2. Funeral and Mourning Period

• A period of nine days of official mourning (called novemdiales) follows the pope’s death.

• The pope is usually buried between 4–6 days after death.

3. Pre-Conclave Meetings (General Congregations)

• All cardinals under 80 years old are called to the Vatican.

• These meetings handle administrative matters and allow cardinals to discuss potential successors.

4. The Conclave Begins

• Held in the Sistine Chapel, all cardinal-electors are sequestered (cut off from communication with the outside world).

• Voting begins, and they must choose a new pope by a two-thirds majority.

• Ballots are burned after each vote; black smoke signals no decision,

white smoke signals a new pope has been elected.

5. Announcement and Inauguration

• Once a pope is elected, he accepts the position and chooses his papal name.

• The announcement is made from St. Peter’s Basilica with the famous words: “Habemus Papam” — “We have a pope.”

News from the Convento San Francesco

The month of April begins joyfully at our friary. We are almost ready to embark on our Easter ministry in various fraternities within Italy, who eagerly await our presence to celebrate the Holy Week liturgies with them. This is a propitious time for growth, learning about the traditions and cultures of different regions of Italy, as well as life in other fraternities. Above all, we look forward to celebrating the Feast of feasts, the Great Vigil of Easter. But before that happens, we are wrapping up our final week of lectures at the university before taking a break for the upcoming weeks.

We had the joy of celebrating the 55th anniversary of our beloved Father Antonio Riccio's priestly ordination in our fraternity. This occasion was a cause for celebration for everyone, complete with beautiful decorations and a delicious fraternity lunch to give thanks to God for the gift of his ministry. We also joyfully celebrated our brother Aldair's birthday. Together, we expressed our gratitude to God for the gift of his life and vocation with a delightful cake and lunch, filled with songs and laughter.

This month, we were invited to assist in the Stations of the Cross service at St. Peter's Basilica. This was an experience of prayer and growth in faith for each of us. We are also invited to participate in the Palm Sunday service at the General Curia. Afterward, we will celebrate in fraternity and gratitude the beginning of our Easter celebrations.

Our prayers are with everyone in the province, and we always ask you to remember us in your prayers. Wishing you all a happy and blessed Holy Week.

·       Dagoberto

FUTURE EVENTS- MARK YOUR CALENDARS

May 10, 20225

Ordination to the Priesthood

Friar John (Jack) Sidoti, OFM

Our Lady of Peace Church, Brooklyn NY

Bishop George Bugeja, OFM, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, Libya

May 23, 2025

Ordination to the Diaconate

Friar Leonardo Morles Gonzalez, OFM

Orfanato Valle de Los Angeles, Guatemala

Bishop Angelo Falzon, OFM, Bishop of Comayagua

October 1, 2025

Solemn Profession of Vows

Friars Daniel Luna, Luis Hernandez, Oscar Valle, and Kevin Gabriel Gonzalez, OFM

Basilica of St. Anthony (Antonianum), Rome, Italy

October 5, 2025

Ordination to the Diaconate

Friars Daniel Luna, Luis Ernandez, Oscar Valle, and Kevin Gabriel Gonzalez, OFM

Saint Peter Basilica, Vatican City

His Eminence Mauro Cardinal Gambetti, OFM Conv. Archpriest of the Basilica

Fr. Octavio Salinas, O.F.M., transferred from Padua Friary, New York City, to Agape De El Salvador, Sonsonate, El Salvador, effective immediately.

Holy Spirit Province of Canada

Has Chapter of Election

The Provincial Chapter of the Holy Spirit Province in Canada held at Queen of the Apostles Retreat Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, started officially on 31st March.  What was to be an interim chapter became a chapter of election with the appointment of former Provincial Minister Fr. Pierre Charland as Bishop of Baie-Comeau on February 18, 2025.  Fr. Jimmy Zammit, Definitor General, was appointed President of the Chapter.

The theme of the Chapter was “Together for the Mission”. For the first time the collaborators, friends and other members from the Franciscan family were invited to the chapter. Their dialogue among the friars was the heart of the meeting. 

The Chapter which begun by the election of the Minister Provincial and the Vicar Provincial was concluded by electing New Provincial Definitors. During the chapter the friars elected the following: Br. Jean-Pierre Ducharme - New Minister Provincial; Br. Guylain Prince - Vicar Provincial; Br. Michael Perras, Br. Manoj Xalxo, Br. Daniel Gurnick and Br. A. Joseph – Provincial Definitors.

Some reflections on the chapter:

From March 31 to April 4, 2025, the interim provincial chapter was held in Mississauga. A first for the OFM in Canada, lay people, of whom I had the honor to be a part, shared the community's discussion space in a generative listening process to shine a light on the charism of the Franciscan mission. Invested with a desire to find our place in the accomplishment of a shared spiritual ideal, brothers, friends, and employees of the community sought to discern the future of the pan-Canadian province. By sharing the table of discussions, that of meals, but also that of the Lord, we took stock of the missionary call that will animate us for the next six years.

The experience of the Chapter is for me the source of renewed energy and determination to pursue the journey. To the difficult questions “where are we heading?” and “how does the Spirit guide us in our pilgrimage in the world?” I answered myself “toward the Love of God, on a mission, together” and “giving us the Franciscan family: brothers, sisters, friends in daily life and in faith.” I dare to speak on behalf of the collaborators when I say that, for a few hours, we experienced the concept of “making Church.” I would like to lovingly thank the entire community for the invitation and their charitable welcome.

The Spirit is at work when the missionary flame is rekindled: from conversation to conversion, on the road to Emmaus with our brothers and sisters, lay people and religious walk together toward a future as dynamic as it is luminous. We listened to one another to better come together. We were able to concretize the bond that unites us: Christian Charity and the magnitude of the task of living for it. Thank you again, and we look forward to working with you to spread the work of the brothers and make Franciscan spirituality shine throughout the world.

“Canada is fertile ground”, said an “international” Franciscan friar living, serving and flourishing in Canada. The Holy Spirit Province is a fraternity in which to be planted, and bloom. With this experience, I certainly resonate.

The Franciscans of Canada, Holy Spirit Province, have recently come out of a five-day meeting, what we call “Chapter”. There, we elected new leadership. More importantly, we discerned orientations for the future. For us, a springtime of new life and direction is now apparent. What made our discernment particularly fruitful was that part of our Chapter involved lay collaborators from across Canada. To have the support of partners on mission is a basic necessity, but to dialogue with them about the mission breeds new life.

Easter, too, is life giving. The necessity of dying, sacrifice, is exposed on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday, new life rises, a horizon appears. In this springtime, this Easter Season, we Franciscans have new life, a horizon before us. We are inspired!

May the Good News of Easter show you the horizon that is before us all.

Jean-Pierre Ducharme, OFM

Minister Provincial

Franciscans of Canada

PROVINCIAL CHAPTER NEWS 2025

May 15- Canonical Ballots Due at Provincial Curia (To be counted at Chapter)

May 16- Official Convocation of Provincial Chapter by Visitator General

May 30- Straw Ballot for Vicar Provincial and Definitors due at Curia

June 4-  Counting of Nominating Ballot for Vicar and Definitorium (Curia)

June 5-20, 2025  Toronto Visitation

June 6-9 St. Jane Frances

June 10-12 St. Francis Centre, Caledon

June 13-15 St. Peter Church

June 16-18 Immaculate Conception

June 19-Providence Villa

June 20- Fr. Celestino Canzio

June 23-27 Provincial Chapter, St. Francis Centre, Caledon Ontario

Reminder:  Canonical Ballots for the Office of Provincial Minister are due to be returned to the Provincial Curia by May 15, 2025.  These are addressed to “President of the Chapter.”  These ballots will be opened and counted at the beginning of the Provincial Chapter.

Straw Ballots for the Offices of Vicar Provincial and Provincial Definitors are due to be returned to the Provincial Curia by May 30, 2025.  These are addressed to “Secretary of the Province” with an orange colored label.  These will be opened and counted after the deadline and the results will be sent out to all the friars of the province immediately.  This is not an “official” election but is intended to give the friars some indication of future leadership in the province.  The elections of Vicar Provincial and Provincial Definitors will be done at the chapter by the Chapter Delegates.  

Br. Paschal Recalls his Ministry to our Missions

Although, at age 89, Bro Paschal DeMattia is no longer managing the Province’s Mass Intentions and stipends at the Provincial Curia, he recently reminisced for the FMA FOCUS newsletter about his many years of ministry in helping missionaries.  

He shared just a few of the thousands of letters of thanks that the province receives from missionaries throughout the world. They tell of the countless good works and impact that the generous donations of our FMA benefactors have in the world. 

Read Brother Paschal’s note here: 

BY: BR. PASCHAL, OFM

The stipends that Franciscan Mission Associates (FMA) receives for Masses are distributed to friars around the world. The brothers often send letters to us at the provincial office, thanking our benefactors for their support and relaying stories of how the stipends enable them to help the poor and needy. Their letters and stories – often with photos included – now number in the thousands and the pictures fill a wall. 

For most of my 40 years with the province, it was my primary job to distribute the Mass stipends. I am now retired, yet still love to visit the office and look at the wall of photographs collected from those letters. These are just a few of the stories of gratitude and hope that I recall now as I look at the photos once again: 

• In Cameroon, a village priest established an orphanage and was able to feed and house dozens of children thanks to Mass stipends.  
• In Honduras, two priests were able to establish food and clothing programs for the poorest of the poor. 
• A priest from India wrote to tell of how Mass stipends were helping him to build a school in his parish. 

The photographs of smiling orphans, hopeful families, and children in humble school uniforms speak of their tremendous gratitude to the benefactors and our Province. 

You see, ​​Mass stipends that our faithful benefactors provide through FMA go directly to the friars who say the masses and they in turn put the stipends toward their mission works. 

​​​Just as powerful and important is the power of prayer. I recall that the priests in Cameroon wrote to us about a sickness that overtook the village and testified to how the intercessory prayers of the saints and of the FMA family provided the medicine needed to cure the sick. Other stories like it are innumerable. 

Indeed, your generosity and all it enables is God’s work in action.  

Thank you and God bless! 

Br. Paschal

N.B.  This work continues as we send Mass stipends to the Custody of the Holy Land, to the General Curia, to the Franciscan Mission Service in Burlington, the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, our own missions in Central America, our bishops, province ministries, and our parishes in need. 

Take time to wish our brothers a Happy Birthday!

Courtland Campbell - May 6th - 70

Luis Antonio Hernandez- May 6th-39

Gabriel Rojas Mendieta- May 20- 38

Richard Donovan - May 26th - 73

HOLY WEEK PHOTOS FROM THE PROVINCE CHURCHES