These wound marks were not merely physical but were accompanied by intense spiritual suffering, reflecting Francis' deep empathy for Christ's suffering and his desire to participate in those sufferings. The stigmata is seen as a sign of Francis’ profound love for God and his commitment to living a life of humility and sacrifice.The miracle of the stigmata is not unique to Francis; it has been manifested in other saints as well, but Francis is recognized as the first to receive it.  As we celebrate this special anniversary in a few weeks, on September 17, 2024, I would like to present here the narration given to us by Thomas of Celano:

"While he dwelt in the hermitage which, from the place in which it is situated, is called Alverna, two years before he gave back his soul to Heaven, he saw in a vision of God a man like a seraph having six wings, standing over him with hands outstretched and feet joined together, fixed to a cross. Two wings were raised above his head, two were spread out for flight, and two veiled the whole body. Now, when the blessed servant of the Most High saw this, he was filled with exceedingly great wonder, but he could not understand what this vision might mean. Yet he rejoiced greatly and was filled with vehement delight at the benign and gracious look wherewith he saw that he was regarded by the seraph, whose beauty far exceeded all estimation; but the crucifixion, and the bitterness of the seraph’s suffering smote him altogether with fear. Thus he arose, so to speak, sorrowful and glad; and joy and grief alternated in him. He anxiously pondered what this vision might portend, and his spirit labored sore to come at the understanding of it. And while he continued without any clear perception of its meaning, and the strangeness of the vision was perplexing his heart, marks of nails began to appear in his hands and feet, such as he had seen a little while before in the Man crucified who had stood over him.

His hands and feet seemed pierced in the midst by nails, the heads of the nails appearing in the inner part of the hands and in the upper part of the feet, and their points over against them. Now those marks were round in the inner side of the hands and elongated on the outer side, and certain small pieces of flesh were seen like the ends of nails bent and driven back, projecting from the rest of the flesh. So also the marks of nails were imprinted in his feet, and raised above the rest of the flesh. Moreover his right side, as it had been pierced by a lance, was overlaid with a scar, and often shed forth blood, so that his tunic and drawers were many times sprinkled with the sacred blood. Alas! how few were found worthy to see the sacred wound in his side while the crucified servant of the crucified Lord was yet alive! But happy was Elias who was found worthy to see it somehow while the Saint was living; not less happy Rufino who touched it with his own hands. For once, when brother Rufino had put his hand into the most holy man’s bosom that he might scratch him, his hand (as it often chances) slipped down to Francis’ right side, and he happened to touch that precious scar, at which touch the Saint of God was not a little distressed, and, pushing the hand away, he cried to the Lord that he might forgive him (Rufino). For he concealed the stigmata most diligently from strangers, and from those about him he hid them so carefully that even the brethren at his side and his most devoted followers were for a long time unaware of them (nos. 94-95).

Prayer on the Feast of the Stigmata of Saint Francis

O God, who wonderfully renewed the signs of your Son’s passion in the flesh of our Holy Father Francis to inflame our hearts with the fire of your love, grant, through his intercession, that, conformed to the death of your Son, we may also share in his resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. 

Solemn Profession and Diaconate Ordination

At the request of the candidates, all concelebrating friars are requested to wear the “Provincial Chasuble.” These are the white chasubles with the province logo on them. Please bring yours if you have one. 

Reception of Novices

On September 8, 2024, the following brothers will be received into the novitiate at the Santuario San Damiano in Assisi. Fr. Antonio Riccio, O.F.M., Provincial Secretary for Formation and Studies, has been delegated to receive our novices:

Manuel Eduardo Alvarado Salinas 

Manuel Alejandro Chavarria Blanco

Jimmy Marchante

At a solemn Mass at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, New York City, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 27, 2024, Antoinette DeVico and Mary Volpe were affiliated into the First Order by Fr. Robert M. Campagna, O.F.M., Provincial Minister. During the affiliation Mass, they were both given the habit of the Order of Friars Minor as well as certificates issued by the Minister General, making them affiliates of the First Order. In his homily, Fr. Robert spoke of the devotion and generosity of Brother Antoinette and Brother Mary, who, in the tradition of Brother Lady Jacoba of Settesoli and St. Francis, were given this special honor. Br. Antoinette has long served the province as Health Care Coordinator, seeing to the medical and physical needs of the friars, especially in regard to government benefits and insurance. Brother Mary has been associated with the friars in Toronto for many years, serving at Archbishop McGuigan High School and then as Director of the Saint Francis Centre for Religious Studies in Caledon, Ontario. As Fr. Robert explained, not only has she not taken any salary for this position, but has been extremely generous to the province's missions in Central America, visiting many times. The Mass was coordinated by Fr. Patrick Boyle, O.F.M., Provincial Vicar, and a beautiful banquet was served after the Mass in the social hall. Congratulations and welcome to Brothers Antoinette and Mary.

The Franciscan Family Celebrates



the Feast of Saint Clare of Assisi

On 11 August the Franciscan Family celebrated the feast of St Clare, a light that shines brightly in the hearts of Franciscans today. During the Angelus, Pope Francis greeted the Poor Clares:  “I address an affectionate thought to all the Poor Clares, and especially to those of Vallegloria, with whom I have a beautiful friendship.”

In Indonesia, the Minister General also took part in the celebration. In his homily, after commenting on the Sunday Gospel, he recalled Francis: “His life can tell us something about the desert, about work and about love. Above all, it can tell us something about love for Christ and for the poor.” He added: “Clare, like Francis, saw in the Eucharistic bread the humility and simplicity of God. And this is true! Bread is a very simple thing, but it can change lives. May it be so for us today! May the Lord give you peace.”

In the Basilica of St Clare in Assisi, the Eucharist was presided over by the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who in his homily recalled the words of Pope Francis on 11 August 2021, when he urged people to imitate the example of St Clare, “a shining example of those who knew how to live their adherence to Christ with courage and generosity.”

Cardinal Parolin also urged people to follow the example of Saint Clare, who made a radical choice of poverty born of love: “She is a model for life in our society, which is marked by consumerism, that is, the unbridled pursuit of the satisfaction of needs, induced by the pressure of advertising and social imitation, with the inevitable economic waste and pollution, and by hedonism, which considers pleasure to be the supreme good of man and the sole purpose of life.”

At the end of his homily, the Cardinal called for prayer for peace: “From Assisi, on the occasion of this feast, I would like to launch a strong prayer and appeal for peace throughout the world. As the Holy Father has repeatedly said, war is a defeat for everyone and benefits no one.”

Fr. Clovis Bettinelli, O.F.M., a friar of the Custody of the Holy Land, has received permission to transfer to our Province on a one-year trial basis with the intent on becoming a member of our province. He will be assigned to St. Peter's Church and Friary, Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, as soon as immigration visas have been approved.

New address for Fr.Rick Martignetti, O.F.M.

St. John Paul the Great Friary

3130 Winfield Ave. 

Indianapolis, IN 46222 

From Health Care:  A reminder to each house that during the Guardians’ Workshop it was encouraged that copies of health care proxies, a medication list, and any advanced directives, be put in an envelope and tacked near the bedroom door of the friar. This will facilitate the process for paramedics or other emergency responders

ATTENTION: MEDICAL CLAIMS CHANGE REMINDER:  All Medical Claims mail should be sent to 125 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012 and all calls should also go to the main office at 212-674-4388.  Anne Devico is still directing our Medical Claims office but is working from home.  Michael is also assisting in the office and can help to respond to your request. The email remains the same: medclaims33@gmail.com

Health Care Concerns: COVID Returns

News reports have warned of an increase in Covid cases. Although the strain does not seem to be as severe as in the past, those of advanced age or having other issues are at higher risk. Padua Friary has already had three cases. Please remember the protocols: wash your hands regularly, use hand sanitizer, if you feel ill (cough, fever, or other symptoms) test. If you are positive, quarantine until you have had no symptoms, including no fever without Tylenol or the equivalent for 24 hours, and wear a mask for five days after quarantine. Some people may test positive for days or weeks. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) believes that you are most contagious earliest in the process. 

Covid tests are no longer free from the government or insurance. The average cost is $10. It is recommended that all houses have a couple tests on hand. Make sure that any test that you have has not expired. Expiration dates have been extended for some brands, Check the CDC website for all of the latest updates https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/how-they-work 

Masks protect others from Covid, not you from getting it. However, wearing a mask during visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors’ appointments is a good all around practice to help you and others from the spread of other contagious diseases.

Saint Francis Retreat Center in

Easton, Pennsylvania to Close in October

A six-decades-old retreat center for Roman Catholics is slated to close this fall due to its high operating costs and dwindling attendance. The St. Francis Retreat House, which opened in 1961 at 3918 Chipman Road, plans to shutter completely sometime in early October, according to a July 24 letter from the Atlanta, Georgia-based Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The site is best known for holding retreats for Catholics in the Allentown Diocese and other faiths in and beyond the diocese. It also hosted weekday and Sunday Masses for parishioners. There were craft classes and Alcoholics Anonymous programs held at the location.

The St. Francis Retreat House now is slated to celebrate its final liturgy at 10 a.m. Oct. 6. After that, no further programs, Masses, or confessions will be offered.

“After much prayerful consideration and discussion, we have made the difficult decision to close the Retreat House,” the letter, from the vicar provincial, the Rev. Mark Soehner, states to the Retreat House’s Board of Directors. “This decision was not made lightly.” The letter goes on to say St. John the Baptist Province over the years has been a steadfast supporter of the Retreat House, providing financial gifts, forgiving debts and sending dedicated friars to support its mission. A hardworking staff has additionally been dedicated, “often going above and beyond without counting the hours,” according to the the letter.

Lay volunteers have selflessly contributed their time and talents, from serving on the board of directors to providing such services as snow removal, lawn care, cleaning and maintenance, it states.

“Despite these efforts, we must face the reality of our situation,” the letter says. “Although fundraising efforts have been made, these have not been sufficient to meet our financial needs.”

Soehner notes the Retreat House’s operating costs currently surpass the funds available to maintain it, which is not sustainable over time. This is coupled with the Retreat House being in need of significant repairs and improvements that carry a high price tag. The expense of recruitment and hiring of two executive directors to replace a pair that recently resigned was also a factor.

“Over the past years, we have repeatedly evaluated the viability of the Retreat House alongside the Board of Directors, the Provincial, and the Council,” the letter adds. “While we have seen great effort and dedication, we now understand that the era of traditional parish retreats is waning. Although craft groups still make use of the facilities, the demand for full-time Catholic retreats is no longer sufficient to sustain the Retreat House.”

The next steps Soehner said are to work closely with the board to develop a timeline and plan for the closure of the site.

It currently remains unclear what will happen to the buildings, chapel and estimated 22-acre property, nestled at the north end of Chipman Road between Easton and Bethlehem and bordering Routes 22 and 33. The letter didn’t specify any future plans. Kerting Baldwin, a spokesperson for the province, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

The Friary’s history began in the late 1920s when Slovakian Franciscan Friars arrived in the United States to minister to Slovak speaking residents in Ohio and Pennsylvania. However, following World War II, the church in Eastern Europe was forced underground by the Iron Curtain and countries were in ruins.

As the diverse immigrant population grew in the U.S., a handful of Friars answered the call of St. Francis to reach out in faith to bring hope to those in despair — no matter what their ancestral or spiritual background.

Take time to wish our brothers a Happy Birthday!

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Dennis Arambasick - September 3rd - (76)

Thomas Hollowood -September 4th - (89)

Kevin Gabriel Gonzalez Vega- September 7 (33)

Daniel Cavalieri - September 10th - (36)

Eissa Lazzaro Aziz - September 11th - (58)

Richard Martignetti - September 18th - (58)

Charles Trebino - September 26th - (76)

Damian Johnson - September 27th - (79)

Charles Soto - September 27th - (82)