The early church recognized three key moments in the lives of the first Christians that centered on three specific commands of Jesus.

The first was “Come follow me.”  Jesus would frequently go to the Sea of Galilee.  In the hot summer weather, with the winds kicking off the desert sending the temperatures into the 90’s and 100’s, many people would flock to the seashore for some relief.  There were often great crowds of people there- and it was an ideal place for Jesus to reach a lot of people.  So, Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee and he comes upon these two sets of brothers.  The story is pretty simple.  He says “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  

Immediately, they drop everything and leave their fathers, their families, their nets, their businesses, and follow Jesus.  They really don’t know who he is, where they are going, or what the implications were of following Jesus.  But His words were so strong, His imperative to them so complete, that they immediately followed him.

The second command of Jesus takes place at the Last Supper at the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Jesus takes bread and wine, offers it, and gives it to his apostles, saying, "This is my Body, This is my Blood."  Then He gives this command:  Do This In memory of Me.

The third command of Jesus takes place right before he ascended into heaven.  He tells his disciples gathered around him, “Go and preach to all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This is commonly known as "The Great Commission" and it is something that all of us must do.

These three commands are the heart of our Christian calling to spread the Gospel. As Franciscans we have accomplished much- but we recognize that there is so much more to do. Let us pray that each of us will adhere to the missionary vocation we share in our lives as Friars Minor.

Dear brothers,

Many greetings from our Provincial House of Formation in Rome. We are happy return to the Convento San Francesco after the summer’s experience in several places of our beloved province. Sharing with our friars in Canada, the United States, and Central America was a blessing because we saw their testimony and commitment to the mission. Also, we had an important event in the midst of the summer: the solemn vows of Daniel and Jack. That occasion was an opportunity to renew our own vocations.

I was glad to hear the experiences of my brothers in several ministries in Toronto, Boston, New York, and El Salvador. They were happy to meet other friars and spend time with them. I had the blessing to spend my summer in Winsted, Connecticut, with Fr. Bruce, Fr. Roger, and Fr. Dennis. I loved sharing with them. I had an experience of simple, joyful, and fraternal Franciscan life with them. I met good people from Winsted’s Parish and St. Martin of Tours Parish. Also, I could visit Fr. Octavio Salinas, my former vice formator in the postulancy. We continue to pray for our sick friars.

In the beginning of October, we celebrated the birthday of Brother Kevin Hernández, and lately my onomastic (my second name is Gabriel, in honor of Saint Gabriel the Archangel). For the Feast of our father, Saint Francis of Assisi, we participated in the Transitus and Solemnity at the General Curia of the Order. On that occasion, the General Master of the Dominican Friars preached to Franciscan friars and the assembly. We started the school on October 2nd. Little by little, we start again another year in our religious formation. Please, brothers, keep us in your prayers. We remember you all in our prayers.

May the Lord give peace! 

Brother Kevin Gabriel González Vega OFM

Friar Octavio Salinas, O.F.M. has been assigned to Padua Friary, New York City. He was previously at Oazanam Home in Queens, New York

Fr. Jose Mauricio Portillo Gamero, O.F.M., has been approved by the Provincial Definitory of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Central America and Panama, as well as our own Definitory, to transfer from the Our Lady of Guadlupe Province to our province, effective immediately.  Fr. Mauricio has been serving at Asociacion Agape of El Salvador for a number of years.  Welcome, Fr. Mauricio to our Province. 

INAUGURATION OF THE FRAY FLAVIÁN MUCCI SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL

 Bishop Constantino Barrera, Bishop of Sonsonate

Three years after the departure of our founder Fray Flavian Mucci O.F.M. (1935-2021), and with deep respect for his life and that of Friar Jack William Hoak O.F.M. (Q.D.D.G.), who led with dedication in his last years, tribute is paid to his tireless work at the head of this great work. As a sign of this legacy of love and service, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the Fray Flavian Mucci Specialized Hospital was inaugurated, a work that reflects the quality and commitment of the AGAPE Association of El Salvador to people and their communities. The project was born with the firm purpose of offering high-quality health services, in which a deep humanism and personalized attention stand out. It is a new chapter that AGAPE writes in its history, reaffirming the legacy that both Fray Flavián and Fray Jack began: to provide hope and well-being to more than 750 thousand people benefited annually through their various programs.

The Fray Flavian Mucci Specialized Hospital, equipped with the highest technology and a team of specialized professionals, offers a wide range of services including hospitalization, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Surgical Center, Maximum Emergency area, hemodialysis, visual health, physiotherapy and dentistry. It also has specialist doctors in areas such as Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Neurology, General Surgery and Orthopedics, among many others, thus guaranteeing comprehensive and quality care for those who need it most. This project, valued at $1.8 million, is the result of a long-term vision that Fray Flavian had from the beginning of this work, embodying in the statutes the commitment to hospital services as an essential part of AGAPE's mission. Over the years, the foundations have been built that today allow this vision to be a palpable reality. The hospital has been designed to offer the population first-class facilities, comparable to the best hospitals in the country. This statement comes not only from those who have been part of the process, but also from those who have already had the opportunity to experience the services since its opening on April 4, 2024.

The success of this project would not have been possible without the active support of the Board of Directors, the institutions and donors, the Province of the Immaculate Conception of New York, represented today by Fray Rafael Fernández O.F.M., and the commitment of each of the collaborators and volunteers who work daily in the various areas of AGAPE.

FROM THE CURIA

New Ordos

The 2025 Ordos are now being sent out or delivered. Starting date is November 30. We are sending one for each individual friar and an additional one for sacristies. There are only a few extras left if you need another one contact Fr. Joe Lorenzo at the Curia.

Change of Address, Phone Numbers, and Emails.

Please inform the Provincial Secretary if you or your friary/parish has a change in this information. We have not yet mastered the art of Extra Sensory Perception, so the only way we can make approprate changes is through information from you. Please email the Provincial Secretary jlorenzo@icprovince.org or call 212.674.4388.

Attic Treasures

Many people find new treasures when they clean out their closets. We are no different. The curia now has many liturgical items, including vestments: chasubles, stoles, albs; chalices, reliquaries, monstrances, tabernacles, candle sticks, followers, and many other items. With the exception of those of great value or historical significance, these are available to friaries free of charge. Parishes and other entities will be asked to make a reasonable donation to the province. Call the provincial office and speak with Glenn, Pam, or Michael Dominic for more information.

Evening Prayer

 The Secular Franciscans are hosting a 7:00 PM Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours via Zoom, Monday through Friday. If you do not have a local evening prayer or would just like to experience prayer via Zoom, use the link below.

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83812234574?pwd=mGCQAvaajRyFArfN2uXCQybPuuvbAR.1

or

Meeting ID:        838 1223 4574

Passcode:          Paf0G1

New Saint Anthony Statue Now Adorns

Facade of St. Anthony Church NYC

On Thursday, October 10, the new giant Saint Anthony of Padua statue was installed on the upper facade of St. Anthony Church on Sullivan Street. This statue replaced the old statue, which through age and deterioration had to be removed due to the dangers of it falling apart. The new statue, made of carrera marble imported from Italy, took quite a bit of time to install, not only because of its weight but also because of problems with the enormous crane setting it into place in the niche which for some 136 years held the former statue.

Feast of Saint Francis Around the Province

Some photos of the brothers

celebrating the Transits and Feast.

New York Friars at Padua Friary

Toronto Friars at St. Jane Frances

Our Lady of Peace Brooklyn

St. Thomas Aquinas in Derry

St. Thomas Aquinas Derry

St. Jane Frances, Toronto

St. Jane Frances, Toronto

St. Jane Frances, Toronto

Valle de los Angeles

Valle de Los Angeles

Fireworks for the Feast of St. Francis in Ataco

Friendly Faces

Fr. Orlando Ruiz visiting Fr. Octavio Salinas at Ozanam Center, Queens NY

Fr. Orlando Ruiz visiting Fr. Louis Troiano at Ozanam Center, Queens, NY

Fr. Claude Scrima turned 90 July 28^th. Family and friends gathered at St. Patrick’s Manor, Framingham, MA to celebrate the momentous occasion. Claude remains in good health and fine spirit, as he greets everyone and tells them how wonderful they look. Obviously, this makes him quite a hit!

Fr. Nery Aguirre hard at work at 80 years old tending the garden at the Instituto San Francisco

FRANCISCAN MONASTERY OF THE

HOLY LAND, WASHINGTON D.C.

CELEBRATES 125th ANNIVERSARY

Cardinal Wilton Gregory celebrated Mass on September 22, at the Monastery Chapel to mark the 125th anniversary of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, D.C. He called the monastery a “splendid shrine” and “a reflection of the land many miles away that is most frequently called the Holy Land.” Concelebrating the Mass with Cardinal Gregory were Fr. Ramzi Sidawi, O.F.M., guardian of the monastery; Fr. Francesco Patton, O.F.M., the Custos of the Holy Land and guardian of the Holy Shrines of Christianity; Bishop Paul Loverde, the bishop emeritus of Arlington, Virginia, and Bishop Denis Madden auxiliary bishop emeritus of Baltimore, both of whom serve as co-chairmen of the monastery’s honorary board of directors. (Catholic Standard photo by Mihoko Owada)

BLESSED MARTYRS OF DAMASCUS CANONIZED OCTOBER 20, 2024

In the framework of the celebrations of the Eighth Centenary of the death of St. Francis 1226-2026, in the commemorative year of the Stigmata 2024, on Sunday 20 October Pope Francis proclaimed eight Friars Minor of the Custody of the Holy Land, martyrs of the faith in Damascus in 1860, saints. They are accompanied in martyrdom and glory by the three blessed Massabki brothers, lay Maronites.

In July 1860, the persecution of Christians by the Shi'ite Druze in Lebanon spread to Syria. On the 9th July , the populous Christian quarter of Damascus was set on fire and the people put to the sword. Christians of various denominations and rites suffered all sorts of violence. That same night the Franciscan friary of St. Paul was also attacked. The eight religious who lived there – seven of Spanish nationality and one of Austrian nationality – together with three lay Maronite collaborators who had taken refuge there, were slaughtered for refusing to deny their Christian faith and embrace Islam. The bodies of the martyrs, pitifully recovered a few days after the massacre, were buried in a common tomb which, with the rebuilding and consecration of the friary church in 1866, became a destination of devotion by the Christians of Damascus. 

The resumption of the Cause has recently been determined by the observation of the ever-growing fame of martyrdom of the eleven Martyrs of Damascus and the spread of their cult throughout the world, particularly in the Maronite Church. Associated with this was the certainty that their canonization could constitute a message of dialogue, peace and unity in the Middle Eastern context, which was less and less serene and more and more agitated by the winds of war. To this end, the Holy Synod of Maronite Bishops in the year 2022 invoked from Pope Francis the canonization of the Blessed Massabki Martyrs, heroic exponents of Maronite lay holiness. The Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor and the Custos of the Holy Land also joined in the petition, emphasizing the aforementioned pastoral opportunities and in honour of the Eighth Centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

In the Consistory of the 1st July 2024, Pope Francis established that the solemn Canonization would come to pass in St. Peter's Square on Sunday the 20th October, 2024, World Mission Day.

Take time to wish our brothers a Happy Birthday!

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Oscar Valle Perez- November 6th- 33

Ronald Bolfeta- November 7th- 75

Rafael Fernandez- November 10th- 70

Province of the Immaculate Conception, New York NY

125 Thompson Street New York NY 10012

212-674-4388

NEWSLETTER CONTACT

Please send any articles, news items, or photos to

Friar Joseph F Lorenzo, O.F.M.

Provincial Secretary/Communications Director

125 Thompson Street New York NY 10012

Cell: 917.337.9833

Office: 212.674.4388 Xt. 113

jlorenzo@icprovince.org

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