The Old Testament sees the process of giving thanks to God as intimately linked with sacrifice.   We are called, not simply to give thanks to God for his wonderful gifts, but also to give  a portion of our bounty back to God, in the form of an offering, a tithe, a holocaust or sacrifice.   In Hosea, God reminds us that  “It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than holocausts.”  To give mercy is the greatest thanks we can give to God. Jesus reminds us  that the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbor, and who is our neighbor but those who are most distant and estranged from us? And so, the celebration of Thanksgiving poses some direct challenges to all people who believe in God and place their trust in Him.  It calls us, not just to give thanks, but to demonstrate our thanks, by returning to God- and to His people- a portion of the blessing he has bestowed on us.



While we cannot solve all the problems of the world,  and that many of these difficulties are more complex than they seem, we must also acknowledge our share of the guilt,  especially in a country that throws away more food than some countries consume.  And, as we look at all these problems in the face, when do the words “Love one another “ have any impact in our lives?

Our world today is much smaller than it ever was.  Somalia, China, and Iraq are not half-way around the world anymore, they are simply around the corner- and in our own neighborhoods.   We cannot ignore what is happening in the Middle East or Ukraine.We cannot pretend not to know, not to see, or even worse, not to care

The proper way to celebrate Thanksgiving, and our gratefulness to God, is not simply by gorging on turkey and stuffing at our Thanksgiving dinners- it is by giving of ourselves to others.  Yes,  Jesus reminds us that “as long as you did it for these, the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me.” 

Happy Thanksgiving.

News from the Convento San Francesco

Dear brothers,

Greetings from the eternal city!

All is well here in Rome as we continue our first semester of the academic year. The last few weeks have been joyful and festive. Since All Saints Day is a public holiday here in Italy, we took advantage of the day off from classes to have a barbeque with various friends and classmates of the friars. And on November 6^th we celebrated Br. Oscar’s birthday in the usual way, with pizza on the eve of his birthday and then a festive lunch prepared by Daniela. In the last article, we spoke about the opportunity to assist in a procession aux flambeau in St. Peter’s Square. Since the last newsletter, on October 28^th, we had a second opportunity to carry the image of the Blessed Mother in procession while praying the rosary. We are always grateful to Fr. Agnello Stoia, OFMConv, pastor of St. Peter’s Basilica, for including us in these moments of pious devotion, aimed at making St. Peter’s Basilica feel less like a museum and more like a place of prayer. The moment that really marked this month for us came about on November 9^th, when Archbishop José Carballo visited our fraternity. As you all know, Archbishop Carballo has been transferred to Spain, where he will take possession of the Diocese of Merida Badájoz on November 25^th. And before leaving Rome, we invited him to our fraternity one last time. He gladly accepted the invite, and came to celebrate Mass and have dinner with us. It was a bit of an emotional night not only for us who have had the opportunity to get to know him over the years, but also for him who had the opportunity to get to know us and share in these fraternal moments. The bittersweet moment continued for us the following day, November 10^th, when our postulant, Manuel, left our fraternity to continue his journey with the postulants of the Assisi Province in Farneto, Perugia. We are sad to see him go, but at the same time grateful to have shared the last month and a half with him. We wish him all the best!

That’s all the news we have to share with you this month. As always, please know that you are all in our prayers, and we ask you to continue to keep us in yours. God bless you all, brothers!

Fraternally,

Br. Jack Sidoti and Br. Kevin Leonel Flores Godoy

Summer experience in Padua Friary in New York City from July 22 until September 22.

I would like to begin by thanking God, and Father Provincial Robert OFM, and my formators for this time given to me for time with my family and at one of our houses in the province after finishing another year at the university.

For me this time is a blessing, and a grace, because I have been waiting for quite some time actually—to get to know my province, my brothers and some ministries within it. As I had expressed my desire to Father Provincial and my formator these were my desires and motivations to come to the United States:

1. To get to know my province.

2. To get to know and share with my confreres in my province.

3. Beginning to study the English language for better communication and reception whenever the brothers arrive to visit us in Rome, for example.

Today I can say that I feel immensely identified with my province, that I feel a full sense of identity and sense of belonging, that I can immerse myself more in English while in Rome so as not to forget what I learned during the 6 weeks that I studied it at the New York City Language Center School. I found myself immersed in a community of senior friars, where you basically just be a friar to your brothers, that is, share, listen and pray together. Father Michael was a great mentor and companion for me during this time and I thank him very much for always being interested in my well-being, so that I had a very positive and encouraging experience in the province within its American home base. Blessings to the brothers.

Br. Oscar Velle OFM.

Friar Marco Antonio Gomez Garcia ordained Deacon

Friar Marco was ordained a deacon on October 29. Friar Marco is a native of Comayagua, Honduras, and was scheduled to be ordained by Bishop Roberto Camilleri, who was present at his Solemn Profession. Unfortunately, Bishop Roberto suddenly passed away. Bishop Joseph Bonello, O.F.M. of the Diocese of Juitcalpa, Honduras, was the ordaining Bishop. The ordination took place at the Catedral Inmaculada Concepcion in Comayagua. Friar Marco is assigned to St Jane Frances Church in Toronto for his deacon internship. Congratulations and best wishes Deacon Marco.

Plenary indulgence on the occasion of

the eighth centenary

of "Christmas at Greccio"

Dear brothers and sisters,

may the Lord give you peace!

We write to you from Assisi, where we are gathered on the occasion of the

celebrations for our Seraphic Father, to share with you the great gift and privilege that the Holy Father wanted to grant us on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of Christmas in Greccio. Here Saint Francis wanted to commemorate the birth of the Lord starting with a nativity scene, leading to the Eucharistic celebration, where Jesus Christ makes himself present in the bread and wine.

During this Centenary, on 17 April 2023, we addressed the following petition to the Holy Father: "in order to promote the spiritual renewal of the faithful and increase the life of grace, we ask that the faithful receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions from 8 December 2023, the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to 2 February 2024, Feast of the Presentation in the Temple of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by visiting the churches run by Franciscan families throughout the world and stopping in prayer in front of the nativity scenes set up there. Likewise, those who are sick or unable to participate physically can equally benefit from the gift of plenary indulgence, offering their sufferings to the Lord or carrying out pratices of piety."

The Apostolic Penitentiary favorably welcomed the request, granting the right to announce it publicly. Therefore, in all the churches entrusted to us for pastoral care, it will be possible for all the faithful to receive a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, from 8 December 2023 to 2 February 2024.

We ask you to share this "privilege" in all our locations which fits in well with the special relationship that was established between Saint Francis and the Church when he asked the Pope for the Indulgence for those who visited the Porziuncola; and we hope that it will be an opportunity for communion and spiritual renewal for every brother and sister in the entire Franciscan family.

May the Lord guide your steps, and give you his mercy!

Your General Ministers and President

Fr. Provincial Visits Honduras

Fr. Robert Campagna,while attending the diaconal ordination of our brother, Friar Marco Antonio, along with Fr. Antonio Riccio, provincial secretary of studies and formation, and Fr. Orlando Ruiz, provincial vocation and director of formation for the postulancy program, had the occasion to visit the Instituto San Francisco and the Apostolic Nunciature in Honduras, accompanied by Fr. Rafael Fernandez, President of the Central American Foundation. Here are some photos. ,

Provincial Retreat/ Guardians’ Workshop

Chapter of Mats

May 7-10, 2024

WHO GOES????

One week-three events. So, just who is supposed to go to what?

First, all friars are welcome to all three events. In fact, friars are encouraged to attend all three.

The Provincial Retreat May 7-10, 2024

The retreat is scheduled from Tuesday, May 7 through Friday May 10. Our retreat director will be Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. This is the first retreat since Covid. All friars are required by General Statutes and Provincial Norms to make an annual retreat. This has been tough since Covid, so the province is providing this retreat opportunity for all friars.

Guardian’s Workshop May 7-10, 2024

During the afternoon sessions of the retreat, there will be a “Guardian’s Workshop.” This is a misnomer, because all the friars are encouraged to attend. The guardians in the province, of which there are seven currently: Immaculate Conception, ONT; St. Jane Frances, ONT;

St. Peter’s, ONT; Padua, NY; O.L. Peace, Brooklyn; St. Christopher, MA, and St. Thomas, NH are expected to attend. However, because leadership and followership will be discussed and because many of these positions may change in the subsequent chapter of 2025, all friars are encouraged to attend these sessions also. Topics will include: spiritual formation, fraternal holiness power of governance, finances and administration, animation and formation, health care, and fraternal relations. The topics will be introduced with a spiritual narrative by the retreat director.

Chapter of Mats May 11, 2024

All are invited. During the regional pre-chapter sessions delegates were chosen from among the OFS/SFO/OSC/FHIC members and from among the friars. These delegates, the provincial council, and the usual ex officio chapter members are expected to attend. Other friars are encouraged to attend. 

800th Anniversary of the

Approval of the Regula Bullata

November 29, 2023

This year the Feast of All Saints of the Franciscan Family (November 29) falls on the day of the 800th anniversary of the approval, by Honorius III, of the Order's Regula Bullata. "His holy sons," we read in the Seraphic Missal, "of the First, Second and Third Orders, belong to every social condition and to every people. There are martyrs, doctors, priests, religious brothers, lay people, virgins, holy women... An immense multitude gathered around the great Poverello-the poor man, 'bearing the sign of the living God.”

It is 800 years in which so many women and men have shared and lived Francis’ project, welcoming God without reservations, observing the Gospel in obedience, without anything of their own and in chastity, becoming people capable of loving their neighbour with generosity. 

St. Bonaventure writes in his "Apologia pauperum," after a brief explanation of the Beatitudes: "[...] Francis, Patriarch of the Poor, who at the beginning of his Rule proposes the three cornerstones of religious life: The Rule of the Friars Minor consists in putting into practice the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, living in obedience, poverty and chastity. Thereafter he then recommends three other things, which integrate and in a certain way complete the previous ones: "Let the friars reflect that they must desire more than anything else to possess the Spirit of the Lord and to act according to His Holy Will; that they must know how to pray to God with a pure heart and possess humility and patience in tribulations and sicknesses; who must have a special predilection for those who persecute us, despise us and insult us." With this admonition, Francis proposes, in the first place, the elevation of all action through God; He then recommends the joyful acceptance of all tribulations and effective and exquisite charity towards our neighbour. In this way the perfect man or woman is crucified to the world by the three vows, and by the three successive recommendations he is conformed to God, so that with the six seraphic wings he may detach himself forever from the things of this world and penetrate the divine. 

It was a worthy thing that Christ, in the seraphic apparition, imprinted His stigmata, as a seal of confirmation and authenticity, on the sacred flesh of this Poverello, who observed and taught evangelical perfection in the most genuine form, so that, in the dangerous gloom of the end times, we might be offered a clear sign that would illuminate the path of perfection. 

It is by conditioning, however, that we learn not to desire what gives honour and prestige, but to prefer humble and hidden things." By virtue of our baptism, we are all called to holiness, as Pope Francis reminds us in his Apostolic Exhortation "Gaudete et Exsultate". 

In the footsteps of Francis, Clare and all the Franciscan Saints, let us allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our day and transform everything that seems ordinary, even that which may be discarded, into something extraordinary and precious in the eyes of God and our neighbour. 

Happy Feast Day to one and all!

Fr. Cesare vaiani ofm 

Definitor general

Under Pope Francis, the Jesuit order is arguably exercising unprecedented power within the Catholic Church. 

To give just two examples, the synod on synodality is being steered by a Jesuit: Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich. And the Vatican’s new constitution was shaped by a Jesuit: Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda.

That’s not surprising given the Bishop of Rome’s affiliation and that the Society of Jesus is the world’s largest male religious order.

But what about the orders that trace origins to St. Francis of Assisi? How influential are they?

Cardinal count: In terms of cardinals, the Franciscan orders (taken individually) lag behind the Salesians of St. John Bosco, who have 11 red hats, and the Jesuits, who have 9 (and a pope).

The Order of Friars Minor (O.F.M.) has three: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (58), Cardinal Wilfrid Napier (82), and Cardinal Leonardo Steiner (72).

The Order of Friars Minor Conventual (O.F.M. Conv.) has two: Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo (54) and Cardinal Mauro Gambetti (57).

The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (O.F.M. Cap.) has five: Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (63), Cardinal Celestino Aós Braco (78), Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa (89), Cardinal Luis Pascual Dri (96), and Cardinal Seán O’Malley (79).

What’s striking is that three of the 10 cardinals were created at the Sept. 30 consistory: Pizzaballa, Bustillo, and Dri. This suggests that Franciscans could be something of a rising force 10 years after the election of a pope named after their founder.

It’s also notable that several of the cardinals are engaged in highly sensitive missions: Pizzaballa as the head of the Latin Church in Jerusalem, Gambetti as the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, and O’Malley as the president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Charism and numbers: Franciscan influence can’t be measured merely by red hats, of course. The Franciscan presence is felt all over the world thanks to the intrepid members of the Franciscan family’s first, second, and third orders. 

But beyond stating the rough membership figures for each of the family’s branches, it’s impossible to quantify their impact on the Church and the world. While some branches are in numerical decline, others — such as the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (C.F.R.) — appear to be bucking the trend.

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has consistently highlighted his canonized namesake. His encyclicals Laudato si’ and Fratelli tutti pay tribute to the saint of Assisi. Today’s apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum likewise opens with a reflection on St. Francis. 

It’s unclear what long-term effect this papal spotlight will have on the communities inspired by the Poverello. But it does suggest that the vitality of the Franciscan charism is undimmed in the 21st-century.

From The Pillar.

Fr. Dennis Arambasick, OFM from St Francis Centre. Caledon, Ontario, Canada to St. Joseph Parish, Winsted, Connecticut as Associate Pastor.

Fr. Peter Furgiuele, OFM from St Francis Centre. Caledon, Ontario, Canada to Immaculate Conception Parish, Toronto as Associate Pastor.

Friar Deacon Marco Antonio Gomez Garcia, OFM to St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, Toronto, as transitional deacon,

Take time to wish our brothers a Happy Birthday!

Peter  Furgiuele December 3 70

Armand Padula December 4 93

Louis Troiano December 10 93

Patrick Boyle December 15 71

Vit Fiala December 16 66

Albin Fusco December 28 94