My brothers,

Whenever I visit our friars in formation, whether in Assisi or Rome, I think about the great experience they are having of living and studying in places so steeped in our Franciscan tradition.  Just the thought of making your novitiate in Assisi, and at San Damiano no less, would be for anyone something absolutely unforgettable.  To live in the city of Saint Francis, participating in all the special feasts and holy days associated with Saint Francis, would have to be most memorable.  For our brothers in Rome, to be so close to the Vatican, to the General Curia, and coming into contact with so many friars from all over the world would, I think, be a similar experience. And how about being next door neighbors of Pope Leo? On the other hand, we realize that for all our brothers in formation, they are studying philosophy and theology in a foreign language.  I would imagine for our brothers who speak Spanish, the transition to Italian isn’t as difficult.  But just the thought of having classes totally in Italian can be quite intimidating.  My own studies were all in English, but I remember the stories of older friars who spoke of classes being conducted in Latin.  The intricacies of moral theology or canon law can be difficult enough without studying them in a foreign language, but we have all survived.

As you read this, I am again preparing to return to Rome, this time to receive the Solemn Profession of our brothers Daniel Ramirez Luna, Luis Antonio Hernandez Reinosa, Oscar Danilo Valle Perez, and Kevin Gabriel Gonzalez Vega on Monday, September 29, and witness their ordination to the diaconate on October 5 at Saint Peter's Basilica.  Of course, celebrating the Solemn Feast of Saint Francis with them will again be a great joy.

I ask you to pray for these our brothers as they commit themselves to the life of Saint Francis and ministry in the church. And as always, we thank the Mighty Lord who continues to give us brothers.

  Fraternally, 

THREE PROVINCE NOVICES PROFESS FIRST VOWS

On August 30, 2025, at the Sanctuary of San Damiano in Assisi, three of our brothers professed first vows at the hands of Fr. Patrick Boyle, OFM, Provincial Minister. They are Br. Manuel Eduardo Alvarado Salinas, Br. Manuel Alejandro Chavarria Blanco, and Br. Jimmy Alexis Marchante. They were joined by three other novices from the Seraphic Province of Saint Francis of Assisi of Umbria and Sardinia. Congratulations to these our brothers.

In the photo above are our three newly-professed brothers, with the four brothers who will be professing Solemn Vows on September 29 (kneeling in front), and Oscar Gomez, our province's postulant.

Brother Daniel Luna featured in FMA Focus

A constant return to Christ – my formation story

By Br. Daniel, O.F.M.

Greetings in the Lord Jesus! I am a Franciscan friar from the Dominican Republic and currently in the Province of the Immaculate Conception’s formation house in Rome doing my first of three years of theology after having completed the first two years of philosophy.  (Br. Daniel is now professing Solemn Vows and will be ordained a deacon).

An early introduction to the Church

When I was a little boy, a neighbor who later became my confirmation godmother would take me and my sister to the parish. It was a new experience for us, because my parents were not practicing Catholics; in fact, we were not even baptized. We felt so good in the Church, so accepted, and it was like a home. After that, we never stopped going to Mass and little by little, we understood the mysteries of the faith.  

At one point in my life, I began to have a deep existential crisis in my faith, and questions arose about what my future would be like. At that moment, I felt Jesus’ presence – He who had always there since my childhood – saving me, protecting me, presenting himself and looking at me with his merciful gaze! 

From that moment I decided to try to live for Him. 

My Franciscan calling

I was immediately moved by the missionary aspect of the Franciscan Order, and how the Franciscan charisma is lived among the people.

The Gospel is our driving force as we move around the world living in fraternity and minority. 

Something else which struck me was the notion of “penance”, which is a constant return to Christ, serving him wholeheartedly among the poor. These two factors compelled me to choose the Franciscan religious order.

I would like to leave you all with this biblical quotation that illuminates my vocational path: “Moreover, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, of those who are called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28.

Italy Seeks to Reinstate

October 4 as a National Holiday

Italy is moving closer to reinstating October 4 as a national holiday in honor of St. Francis of Assisi—and, symbolically, of the late Pope Francis who bore his name. The proposal, now scheduled for debate in the final week of September, has drawn cross-party support from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition. If approved, the holiday would return nearly half a century after its removal in 1977, when austerity measures swept away several feast days. Advocates hope to see it restored in time for 2026, the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death, turning a date long cherished in Christian memory into a civic expression of peace and solidarity. Maurizio Lupi, leader of the centrist «Noi Moderati» party and chief sponsor of the legislation, described the measure as more than a matter of symbolism. “This is a call to peace, to cohesion, to the value of nature, and to the lesson of faith and spirituality that Francis offered the world,” he told AFP. A saint and a pope bound by name and vision The timing is poignant. Pope Francis, who died in April at the age of 88, was the first pontiff to take the name of the medieval saint from Assisi, signaling from the outset of his papacy a desire for a Church that is poorer, humbler, and closer to the marginalized. Restoring the holiday would link two figures separated by centuries but united in their rejection of power and wealth in favor of service to the poor and care for creation. Between finances and identity Italy currently recognizes 12 national holidays, fewer than some of its Mediterranean neighbors but more than countries such as France or Sweden. Lawmakers must balance the cultural and spiritual weight of a new feast day against concerns about economic productivity. Critics of the plan warn that another public holiday could place strain on state finances, particularly at a time when Italy faces pressure to keep spending under control.

POOR CLARES MARK 150TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE USA

Approximately 35 Poor Clare Sisters came together on the campus of St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York, on June 18 to begin a 10-day gathering focusing on their life and mission in the Church.

It was also a chance for the sisters to mark the 150th anniversary of the Poor Clare presence in the United States; Mother Maria Maddalena Bentivoglio, OSC, an Italian Poor Clare, along with her sister, Contsanza, was sent to the United States in 1875 to found the first convent of the Order in this country.

During their time at St. Bonaventure, the sisters attended lectures on Franciscan spirituality and the call of Mother Bentivoglio and its relevance today.

In 1875 Pope Pius IX asked Sr. Mary Maddalena Bentivoglio and her blood sister, Sr. Constanza to go from the Poor Clare Monastery in Rome to the United States and begin the contemplative presence of the Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns. After a difficult start in New York and Philadelphia, with bishops desiring sisters to do the active ministry in fields of education and health rather than have sisters whose main ministry was prayer, and depended on alms for support, Mother Maddalena continued to be faithful to the mission entrusted to her. The monasteries that she personally founded were:

1878 – Omaha, Nebraska

1885 – New Orleans, Louisiana

1897 – Evansville, Indiana

Mother Maddalena died in Evansville in 1905.

Monasteries founded from the original 3 were:

1906 – Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts (Boston 1906-1934)

1909 – Chesterfield, New Jersey (Bordentown 1909-’99, Trenton ’99-2001)

1912 – Duncan, British Columbia Canada (Victoria 1912-1973)

1914 – Spokane, Washington

1915 – Wappingers Falls, New York (Bronx 1915-1999, New Rochelle 1999-2004)

1916 – Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia 1916-1977)

1924 – Sauk Rapids, Minnesota

1932 – Memphis, Tennessee

1947 – Andover, Massachusetts (Lowell 1947-1960)

1950 – Mission, British Columbia Canada (Burnaby 1950-1962)

1954 – Minneapolis, Minnesota

1955 – Greenville, South Carolina

1958 – St. Louis, Missouri

1987 – Victoria, Texas (Closed May 2007)

In 1950 Pope Pius XII issued the decree Sponsa Christi, which requested all contemplative women throughout the world to form into federations for reasons of mutual help and reduce their isolation. By November 30, 1958, after much initial resistance on the part of the monasteries, 10 Poor Clare communities from foundations of Mother Maddalena Bentivoglio in North America gathered at the Evansville Monastery in Indiana. The agenda for the meeting had 24 items to discuss in the two working days set up. After the 4th working session, a verbal non-deliberative vote was taken. The results were almost unanimously “No” to the formation of a federation. The only monastery to vote in favor of federation was the newly established monastery of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Further time was allowed for discussions around the fears, as well as the request by the church for these federations. It was after these discussions that a deliberative vote was taken, and the results were now 19 in favor, with 3 votes against. The proposal to send the Statutes for the Federation was unanimously approved.

It was at this meeting that the decision was made that due to the large distances to be covered, there would be two federations formed instead of one. The Mother Bentivoglio Federation would be formed by the monasteries in the Midwest, West, and British Columbia, Canada. Holy Name Federation would consist of the monasteries along the East coast inland to Philadelphia. At the close of the two days of official sessions, the Abbesses and Delegates were encouraged by the friars facilitating this meeting to stay on at the Evansville meeting for several more days to profit from the exchange of ideas among themselves. This mutual sharing over common problems was tangible evidence on only one of the many benefits to be expected from a Federation of Monasteries.

Currently, two of the Poor Clare monasteries are located on province property: Andover, Massachusetts and Wappingers Falls, New York. The friars of our province have also had a close bond with the Poor Clares in Boston, formerly Jamaica Plain. Congratulations to our sister Clares. 

Saint Jane Frances Participates in Archdiocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Canadian Martyrs Shrine

Dear Brothers,

Peace and blessings to you! Summer is winding down here in the northern reaches of our province. This was my first summer in Canada, and it sure seems to pass far too quickly! Even so, I think these months provided a much-needed pause from the busyness of parish life. Already the trees are beginning to show their brilliant reds, golds, and oranges, and before long we’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving—here in Canada on the second weekend of October.

After returning from vacation, I had the joy of accompanying a full bus of parishioners from St. Jane Frances on a pilgrimage to the Canadian Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario. Organized by the Archdiocese of Toronto for this Jubilee Year of Hope, the pilgrimage drew nearly 4,000 people, including Cardinal Frank Leo, five bishops, and about 20 priests.

The day was a true expression of the jubilee theme: pilgrims of hope. Confession lines were long throughout the morning and afternoon as many pilgrims sought the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At 11:00, we celebrated Mass at the outdoor Papal Altar, presided over by Cardinal Leo. In his homily, Cardinal Leo offered three practical ways to grow in hope: to remain people of prayer; to seek what is true, good, and beautiful—especially during times of trial; and to become sources of light and joy for others. By living these practices, the gift of hope can truly flourish within us.

After a picnic lunch, we prayed the rosary in procession, followed by Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, which brought the pilgrimage to a prayerful close before our return to Toronto.

This pilgrimage was a grace-filled opportunity to celebrate the Jubilee Year with our parishioners, and we are looking forward to other opportunities before the jubilee comes to a close. In October, we’ll be organizing another day pilgrimage to several other designated sites within the Archdiocese.

Finally, as of this writing, I’ve been appointed one of the Associate Pastors here at St. Jane Frances. While this is exciting news for me, I would be lying if I said at times I don’t feel the weight of this responsibility, especially as I begin my journey in priestly ministry. But even so, I am very content to serve in this community and look forward to what the future has in store.

God bless you all, brothers!

Fr. Jack Sidoti

Br. Madeline Bonnici, an affiliate of our order and province, passed to eternal life on September 17, 2025 in Syosset, New York at the age of 90.

For many years Madeline had been Executive Director of the Franciscan Mission Associates in Mount Vernon until her retirement on Sept. 8, 2023.  Madeline spent her entire adult life in close collaboration with the ministry of our Franciscan province. She was a true daughter of our Father Francis in all her activities.

She was a native of Mt. Vernon, New York, the daughter of Paul and Angela (Mizzi) Bonnici. At an early age she volunteered at the FMA under Fr. Bernard Dazzi, O.F.M. From 1958 to 1961 she worked as a volunteer on the very successful provincial program that built two seminaries in our Province. While working full time in a Manhattan brokerage firm and later as an executive secretary in a manufacturing firm, she continued to give her free time to the raising of funds for the Franciscan missions.

Madeline became the first full-time employee of Franciscan Mission Associates in 1963. She has performed every job in the organization and had been involved in every phase of planning and performance at FMA, which became a world-renown example of successful educational, spiritual, fund raising, and mission awareness.

 In January 1986, Madeline was appointed Executive Director of Franciscan Mission Associates upon the death of Fr. Bernard Dazzi, O. F.M., the founder of FMA. On March 25, 1998 Madeline was affiliated into the Order of Friars Minor.

Br. Massimo Fusarelli, O.F.M., Minister General of the Order, made a special point to visit the FMA Offices on September 27, 2022 in Mt. Vernon and reported to the Provincial Definitorium after his visit that he was “deeply impressed and, in fact, overwhelmed with the entire FMA mission- never imagining how extensive it is, the number of workers, and, most of all, the great work done by FMA.”

Needless to say, Br. Madeline’s name was synonymous with the Franciscan Mission Associates and the countless ministries it supported and fostered in so many parts of the world. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to her.

Funeral at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, New York NY on Monday, September 22. Wake from 10 AM- 11 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.

Message of Condolences from Minister General Br. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM

NOTICE

Please remember to notify the Provincial Office if you have changed your email, phone number, cell number, or address. Thank you.

Kevin Ottoniel Hernandez- October 1st- 35

Mario Julian - October 2nd – 71

Nery Aguirre - October 6th - 81

Joseph Powell - October 10th - 38

Rohwin Pais - October 13th - 64

Bishop Angelo Falzon - October 15th - 68

Roger Hall - October 16th - 71

Paschal DeMattia - October 19th - 90

Angelo Monti - October 21st - 83