On the initial formation front, our friars from the Convento, after spending the summer in various ministries and activities in the US, Canada, and Central America, are this week heading back to Rome. It was indeed a pleasure having them among us and, I am sure for many of you, seeing the results of a lot of hard work and dedication on the part of our formation staff and vocation animators. I know they had a great experience living and working among us- and also an opportunity to get to know first hand the friars and ministries of the province. We were happy to see three new novices received into the novitiate at San Damiano in Assisi. They are in our prayers as they seek to grow closer to God in the footsteps of Francis.

You will also see in this newsletter the Solemn Profession of Vows of our brothers Daniel and Jack. Anyone who was present at the Solemn Mass at Our Lady of Peace Church in Brooklyn will have to agree that it was a momentous occasion for our province. The presence of so many friars was awe-inspiring, and the church was absolutely beautiful. This was followed by the Solemn liturgy of Ordinaton to the Order of Deacons for Jack Sidoti at St. Joseph Church in Winsted. Again, a beautiful liturgy and one that we will remember for a long time.

In the middle of all this, our Provincial Curia, Padua Friary, and Our Lady of Peace hosted many of the guests who came for these two events- including those who assist our friars at the Convento in Rome, Daniela and her husband, as well as the housekeeper. Many of the friar students were also staying at these friaries, and it was great sharing the week with them. I think we are blessed to be in New York City, where there are so many places to visit and wonderful sites to see.

Also, we had a Definitorium meeting with our Visitator General, Fr. Guillermo Lancaster Jones from Mexico, and there was a lot of planning for the upcoming visitation and provincial chapter.

All in all, it was a a reminder to all of us of the many blessings we continue to receive from God and we ask the Blessed Virgin, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, to continue to watch over our province and order.

Reception of Novices

On September 8, 2024, three men were received into the novitiate at the Santuario San Damiano in Assisi, the very place where Jesus, speaking from the famous Crucifix, entrusted St. Francis with the mission to rebuild His Church. Fr. Antonio Riccio, O.F.M., Provincial Secretary for Formation and Studies, received these brothers into the Order of Friars Minor:

 Manuel Eduardo Alvarado Salinas 

Manuel Alejandro Chavarria Blanco

Jimmy Marchante

Please pray for them, as they embrace the life of the Friars Minor.

Dear Brothers,

            As the Constitutions of the Order stipulate, all friars who are to profess solemn vows must prepare for such an important event through a month-long retreat. Therefore, after a month spent in Assisi helping the fraternities of San Damiano and the Hermitage of the Carceri, Daniel and I spent the month of August in preparation for the profession, and we just wanted to share with you all our experiences.

            The month was divided into three parts, each with a different retreat experience. The first part of the retreat was a week of Ignatian spiritual exercises together with various priests, deacons, and religious men and women at the Hermitage of Monteluco, above Spoleto. Fr. Pino Piva, a Jesuit from Bologna, preached the retreat along with various instructions given by the retreat staff. It was a time of silence and intense prayer, during which we were invited to pray based on the reflections of Fr. Pino which were titled “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. Though it was intense and sometimes difficult (they don’t call it “exercises” for nothing!), we both left very content and thankful for the various fruits that emerged from this time with the Lord.

            After the solemnity of the Assumption, Daniel and I took a train to Florence to begin our second and most daunting leg of the month: a 60-mile walking pilgrimage to La Verna. The pilgrimage was organized by the Student Master of the Tuscan province for all students in Italy who are preparing for solemn vows. In all, we were 13 friars from various countries. Even though we were both a bit uncertain about how this pilgrimage would be (we have never had such an experience before), in the end we found it to be a wonderful fraternal experience. We would walk early in the mornings, so as to avoid being caught in the heat of the August sun. In the afternoons, there was a moment of catechesis, based on the Tuscan province’s JPIC document “Five steps for integral ecological conversion”, which were very interesting and relevant. For me, the best moment was the arrival. After a week of walking the various trails (which were not always the best maintained), we entered the shrine of La Verna with the church bells sounding upon our arrival. The satisfaction of having completed the journey was overwhelming!

            After the pilgrimage, the group dispersed for their respective provinces and Daniel and I remained at La Verna to begin the final part of our retreat: a week-long experience in the hermitage above the Chapel of the Stigmata, where our day revolved around praying all of the hours of the Liturgy of the Hours, reflections given by Fr. Francesco Ruffato which were based on certain gospel figures and how we can look to them as models for consecrated life, silent meditation, and Lectio Divina based on the Gospel of the day. The week – indeed, the month – came to a conclusion on Saturday, August 31^st, with Mass in the Chapel of the Stigmata. Afterwards, we headed back to Rome. We are extremely thankful to Fr. Francesco for his care for us, assuming the role of Martha so that we could dedicate ourselves to prayer during our stay at La Verna.

            And that’s about it, brothers! Now that we have taken this month to recharge, pray, and prepare ourselves, we feel ready to make our final commitment to the life of the Friars Minor, following the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the example of our Holy Father Saint Francis. 

            God bless you all, brothers, and know that we kept you in our prayers the whole time, especially in the place where St. Francis was conformed more fully to our Crucified Lord. See you soon!

Fraternally,

Br. Jack Sidoti, OFM

Brothers Daniel Cavalieri and Jack Sidoti

Profess Solemn Vows.

At a beautiful and moving Solemn Mass held at Our Lady of Peace Church in Brooklyn, Brothers Daniel Cavalieri and John (Jack) Sidoti, having completed their Franciscan initial formation and the course of studies at the Pontifical University of Saint Anthony in Rome (Antonianum) professed Solemn Vows at the hands of the Provincial Minister, Fr. Robert M. Campagna, O.F.M., on Saturday, September 14, 2024. The Mass was celebrated in with over 15 concelebrants, many friars, family, and friends of both Brs. Daniel and Jack. In particular, the presence of our friars in formation, who have been at their summer assignments in the USA, Canada, and Central America, joined in the celebration and assisted on the altar. Also present was the Visitator General, Fr. Guillermo Lancaster Jones, and Bishop George Bugeja, O.F.M., Apostolic Vicar for Tripoli, Libya, who will be ordaining Br. Jack to the diaconate the following week. The Mass was live-streamed also. The church was ornately decorated with flowers, candles, and created a very festive atmosphere for the occasion. Music was provided by the parish music ministry. For everyone present, it was a day to remember. Congratulations brothers.

Bro. Jack Sidoti Ordained Deacon

At a Solemn Mass at St. Joseph Church in Winsted Connecticut held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, Brother Jack Sidoti, OFM was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop George Bugeja, OFM, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, Libya. It was a fitting location, since St. Joseph's is Br. Jack's home parish. The Mass was attended by many friars, family, and friends, and the bishop was assisted by our friars in formation from the Convento San Francesco in Rome. Music was provided by the parish music ministers, and it was superb. In his homily, Bishop George reminded Br. Jack that the call to the diaconate is a call to service, based on the appointment of seven deacons in the early church as seen in Acts of the Apostles. The call to service is at the heart of our ministry, as Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. Congratulations, Deacon Jack.

Friar Daniel Cavalieri, O.F.M.assigned to St. Francis Centre for Religious Studies, Caledon, Ontario, Canada, effective October 1.

Friar Jack Sidoti, O.F.M,assigned to St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, North York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada as Deacon, effective October 1.

Eighth Centenary of

the Stigmata of our Holy Father Saint Francis Celebrated at LaVerna, Italy

On the 16th and 17th September 2024, the VIII Centenary of the Stigmata of St. Francis was celebrated at La Verna, in the presence of the Franciscan Family, religious, civil and military institutions from the area and many pilgrims.

The celebrations opened on Monday the 16th September with First Vespers in the Basilica. After the homily of Msgr. Andrea Migliavacca, Bishop of the Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro, in the parish church of Chiusi della Verna, the faithful arrived on foot at the Sanctuary for the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Br. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General. In his homily, taking up the writings of St. Bonaventure, whose 750th anniversary of death falls this year, Br. Massimo underlined how Francis wanted to participate totally in the life of Christ. The key to fully understanding the life of the Poverello- the Poor Man: "The Stigmata speak to us of a knowledge of Christ who is a fire that burns. This illuminates and warms a Christian life that is often lukewarm and repetitive, where it seems impossible to give all of ourselves to the Lord. How satisfied we are, how afraid we are to give ourselves over to Jesus Christ, who 'takes nothing away from us and gives us everything', as Pope Benedict XVI said in an inspired way". The experience of the Stigmata profoundly changed Francis' life, which opened himself to the stigmatized of the time, of every time, in which war and violence seemed to win over humanity: "It seems to me that here is the greatest test of our faith today. Let's not avoid it. Let us enter into it," the Minister concluded, recalling that the Risen Christ transforms every wound into light.

On the 17th September, the Liturgical Feast of the Sacred Stigmata began with the singing of Lauds, presided over by the Vicar General of the OFM, Br. Ignacio Ceja. In the presence of the banner of the Municipality of Florence, historically linked to La Verna by an ancient patronage. At the solemn Eucharistic celebration over which he presided, the Minister General emphasized the humility and charity of Francis, whose stigmata remind all of us and the whole Church that it is possible to start again from those wounds, converting to humble service towards today's suffering.

As happens every day in the sanctuary, at 3.00 p.m. None was recited, followed by the procession to the Chapel of the Stigmata where the friars prayed remembering this gift of love of the poor and crucified Christ that led Francis to a new life. It continued with the blessing with the relic of St. Francis from the square of the sanctuary. The Guardian of La Verna then gave the Guardian of San Damiano a copy of the Canticle of the Creatures, as an ideal "passing of the baton" for the new Centenary that the Franciscan Family will celebrate in 2025.

The day ended with the celebration of Holy Mass in the presence of the Tuscan Episcopal Conference and the singing of the solemn Second Vespers in the Basilica.

With these celebrations the Centenary of the Stigmata ended. Br. Livio Crisci, Minister of the Province of St. Francis Stigmatized, thanked the entire Franciscan Family for the realization of this Centenary, which saw thousands of pilgrims go to the Shrine and many participants join the initiatives organized in the Tuscany region and supported by Franciscans from all over Italy and beyond.

Fr. Jack Hoak, O.F.M. passed to eternal life on Saturday, September 7, 2024 after a long illness.  He was 76 years old. He was born March 31, 1948 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, the son of Jack and Regina (Kelley).  After graduating from Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, he entered our formation program in Troy, New York.  He was received into the novitiate on August 15, 1967; professed first vows on August 16, 1968; professed Solemn Vows on June 13, 1974; did theology studies at the Instituto Teologico Salesiano in Guatemala City, Guatemala;  and was ordained a priest on November 13, 1975 at St. Pamphilus Church in Pittsburgh.  After ordination he had many assignments in Central America, and in 1982 returned to the United States.  He ministered in several parishes in the province, in Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Troy, and New Milford, and was pastor of St. Pamphilus Church in Pittsburgh and St. Rose of Lima Church in Meriden, Connecticut.  He did several tours of duty as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, attaining the rank of Commander.  He returned to Central America as Assistant Director and eventually Director of Agape of El Salvador.  

Fr. Jack was much beloved for his work at Agape as witnessed by the many people who attended his funeral Mass as well as other Masses that were held at the chapel. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Angelo Falzon, O.F.M., and many concelebrants.

Funeral arrangements were as follows:

Viewing and Wake -Asociacion Agape de El Salvador

Sonsonate, El Salvador

Sunday, September 8 and Monday, September 9

 Mass of Christian Burial

Tuesday, September 10- 10:30 AM

 Interment – Side Chapel dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi

immediately following the Funeral Mass

Take time to wish our brothers a Happy Birthday!

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

Kevin Ottoniel Hernandez- October 1st- 34

Mario Julian - October 2nd – 70

Nery Aguirre - October 6th - 80

Joseph Powell - October 10th - 37

Rohwin Pais - October 13th - 63

Bishop Angelo Falzon - October 15th - 67

Roger Hall - October 16th - 70

Paschal DeMattia - October 19th - 89

Angelo Monti - October 21st - 82

Michael D. Ledoux - October 23rd - 67

Province of the Immaculate Conception, New York NY

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212-674-4388

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jlorenzo@icprovince.org

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