On Friday, July 24, 2015, Friar Tony Martinez, OFM Conv. and Friar Andrew Hennessy, OFM Conv. professed Simple (or First) Vows as Conventual Franciscan Friars at St. Francis of Assisi Novitiate Chapel in Mishawaka, Indiana.

As members of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, the two Friars professed their Vows to Minister Provincial Fr. Jim Kent, OFM Conv. We are pleased and proud to have them with us, and praise God for this great blessing to our Province.

Along with Friars Tony and Andrew, four Friars from other Provinces professed their Simple Vows.

Friar Tony Martinez

Friar Andrew Hennessy

Both men will now continue their studies, Friar Tony in San Antonio, Texas, and Friar Andrew in Washington, DC. Please keep them, and all the Conventual Friars in formation, in your prayers.

Friars are gathering at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation to minister to the many hundreds of pilgrims who come for the annual Novena to Our Lady of Consolation, culminating in the celebration of the Vigil and Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.

Fr. David Schalk is the pastor of Christ the King Church in Columbus, Ohio.

Father David Schalk, pastor of Christ the King Church in Columbus, Ohio, is this year’s Novena Preacher. The evening Novena services take place at 8 p.m. Confessions are heard weeknights during the novena at 7 p.m., and will be available all day on August 14th and until the procession on the 15th.

On August 14, the Vigil of the Assumption, the final prayers of the novena will be prayed from the front steps of the basilica when the statue of Our Lady of Consolation is brought out at 9 p.m. Immediately following is the the candlelight procession to Shrine Park where Most Reverend Daniel Thomas, Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo, will preside at the Vigil Mass.

Friars will be offering blessings and the sacrament of confession throughout the day on August 14 and 15.

Please join us. For a detailed schedule for the week please visit www.olcshrine.com

If you can’t make it person, please continue to check here for more photos and video.

Many pilgrims arrived at the Shrine throughout the week.

During the first two weeks of August, thousands of pilgrims traveled to the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation for the annual Novena which culminates with the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.

Families and friends put up their tents side by side in the open grassy area stretching from the Basilica all the way to Shrine Park. The smells of campfires and cooking filled the air along with the sounds of singing, laughter, and prayer.

Br. Angelo waits to greet the pilgrims arriving by bus.

Then on August 14, a warm Friday evening, the pilgrims held candles and prayed the Rosary as they processed to Shrine Park for the Vigil of the Assumption. Most Reverend Daniel Thomas, Bishop of Toledo, led the procession and the recitation of the Rosary, then presided at the Vigil Mass.

The Most Reverend Daniel Thomas, Bishop of Toledo

A special part of the pilgrimage experience is the interaction between the Friars and the faithful who sacrifice so much to come and pray during these days. Throughout the Novena, the Friars blessed religious articles, heard confessions, led processions, celebrated Mass, and simply were present to share a story or give out information.

Along with the ten friars who live in Carey, others traveled from across the province – from Indiana, Minnesota, and Texas – to serve the pilgrims. Friars from Zambia and India also helped during the pilgrimage, along with the Friars and novices from the Conventual Franciscan Novitiate.

Though tired at the end, the Friars were filled with admiration for the faith of the pilgrims and gratitude for being able to serve God’s people in this way. They are especially grateful for the presence of so many Chaldean Catholics, many of whom have families in Iraq, or are refugees themselves.

Fr. John with pilgrim friends

The family of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation continues to grow. May Our Lady continue to intercede for us, asking God to heal our wounds and lead us to His Heavenly home.

Here are a few photos from the Vigil and Feast. Please visit our Facebook page for many more memories.

Four of the novices share a laugh with a young pilgrim.

Fr. Anthony (visiting from Zambia) prays with a pilgrim.

Fr. Jim Kent (Minister Provincial) was happy to greet pilgrims who are friends from Mount St. Francis.

Friar Ian Bremar, OFM Conv. loves to learn and to teach. On Friday, August 21, speaking at the end of Mass after professing Solemn Vows as a Conventual Franciscan, Friar Ian gave those in attendance a lesson in how to respond to God’s gifts.

He talked about gratitude.

With family, friends, and many of his Franciscan brothers gathered in the Chapel of the Oblate Seminary in San Antonio, Texas, Friar Ian told them he was grateful to God, and to all of them, for the gift of his vocation and for the opportunity to serve God’s people as a Franciscan Friar.

Minister Provincial Jim Kent, OFM Conv. told Ian’s family that they weren’t losing a son; they are gaining an extended family of Franciscans.

Br. Ian’s extended family photo

After the Mass, the entire family continued the celebration with a reception on the Oblate Seminary campus.

Congratulations Br. Ian. We are grateful to you for the generous gift you have made: your life for God’s people.

For more photos please visit us on Facebook.

Mount St Francis Annual Picnic

Join the Friars for a day of fun for the whole family.

Great food, cold beverages, booths, quilts, Terry’s Treasures (flea market),
kids inflatables, and much much more.  Proceeds from this event are used to provide assistance to youth who cannot afford to participate in retreats or other programs here at the Mount.

The 2015 Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts will be on Sat. Sept 5th from 9:00 till 5:00, with live music, beer/wine, and enchiladas till 7:30pm, and Sunday Sept. 6th from 10:00am till 4:00pm.  Come see over 90 artists, enjoy the music and food, and a pleasant time for Labor Day weekend.  No entry fee.

Margarito and Maria Mondragon Santero at the Franciscan Arts Festival, Holy Cross, NM

Listen to an interview with Fr. Tom Smith, OFM Conv., Director of Holy Cross Retreat Center on Fresh Air at KRWG npr.

This Labor Day weekend join the Friars at Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park, New Mexico for the Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts. A record number of 100 artists will be offering their work in painting, pottery, jewelry, photography, art glass, woodworking, textiles, and more. More than 20 of the artists are new to the Festival.

Santero Margarito Mondragon (here with his wife Gloria at the 2014 Festival) will be one of the artists at this year’s festival.

Booths will be open:
Saturday, September 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 6: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Saturday, libations and enchiladas will be served during extended hours in the Festival’s wine and beer gardens from 5 to 7 p.m. Paella and other food treats will also be offered.

Listen to an interview with Fr. Tom Smith, OFM Conv., Director of Holy Cross Retreat Center on Fresh Air at KRWG npr.

Twenty-five religious communities joined Archbishop Joseph Kurtz at Assumption Cathedral for the celebration of religious life. A participant from each community carried a symbol reflecting their vows and charism. Friar Jim Kent, Minister Provincial, carried a 3-knotted cord for the Conventual Franciscan Friars representing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Archbishop Kurtz preached about the need for strong witnesses that live the gospel life. St. Catherine of Sienna wrote, “Be who God meant you to be and set the world on fire!”

Many Friars from the Province of Our Lady of Consolation were in attendance. Friar Ken Bartsch read the petitions. Friar David Lenz was a hospitality minister. Friars Maurice Hayes, Don Halpin, Simon Sauer, and four men discerning the Franciscan life were also in attendance.

Friar Mario Serrano is Director of Ministry at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX.

August 29, 2015, marks the 10th Anniversary of Katrina. For some this might be a long distant memory, but for others it is a devastation they continue to live through, even after 10 years!

From August 15-20, Friar Mario Serrano gathered two vanloads of young adult students from Our Lady of the Lake University and went on the fourth domestic mission trip he has planned as Director of University Ministry.  Students who were in their elementary school years at the time that 80% of New Orleans flooded were shocked when they found that families are still waiting to move back into their homes.

Selfie with home owner

     The words St. Francis heard at the Chapel of San Damiano, “…Go and rebuild my Church, which you can see has fallen into ruins,” echoed as Friar Mario took the students into the 9th Ward and New Orleans East.  The mission trip began with learning about the culture of New Orleans and attending a Gospel Mass, followed by days of rebuilding the home of a family who eagerly anticipated their homecoming.

     Just like Francis, the young adults initially focused on physically rebuilding the walls of the homes of the People of God.  But through the daily prayer and the theological reflections, by the last evening the young adults realized they are called to also become spiritual architects.

The Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents of the Franciscan School of Theology invite applications and nominations for the position of President, beginning July 1, 2016.

On Thursday, September 24, Pope Francis addressed a joint meeting of the United States Congress. Drawing on the examples of four Americans celebrated for their faith in God as well as their accomplishments – Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day, and Thomas Merton – he encouraged the people of United States to live up to the ideals of the country’s founding. Saying he wanted to engage in a dialogue with the people of the US, the Pope challenged all to work together to address the problems facing the country and the world.

Here are some quotes from his speech:

Photo by Most Reverend Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Bishop of Savannah

“A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of religion, an ideology, or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom, and individual freedoms.”

“Our response must instead be one of hope and healing, of peace and justice.”

“Let us remember the Golden Rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development.”

“Now is the time for courageous actions and strategies, aimed at implementing a culture of care and an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”

Following his address, Pope Francis served lunch at a homeless shelter and spent time with the clients. He departs this afternoon for New York, arriving in time for evening prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Wednesday, September 23:

Following a Papal Parade along the Ellipse and the National Mall, Pope Francis led the Liturgy of Hours at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. He addressed the Bishops of the United States saying, “I do not wish to tell you what to do because we know what the Lord asks us to do.” He encouraged the Bishops to be shepherds, to dialogue fearlessly, to face the challenging issues of our time. He reminded us that life is a gift and a responsibility.

Friars Vincent Petersen and Don Bassana hit the ground in DC to greet Pope Franci

Pope Francis ended with two recommendations close to his heart. First, that the Bishops be pastors and shepherds close to the people – neighbors and servants. That the Bishops train their priests to be ready to stop, bend down, lift up, and assist those who need help. Second, he commended the Church for reaching out to immigrants and then reminded us that immigrants have much to share with us. Offer them the love of Christ and they will enrich the US and our Church.

Crowds gather on the Mall to greet Pope Francis.

Later in the afternoon Pope Francis presided at the Junipero Serra Canonization Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Some highlights of the remainder of his visit:
6:45 p.m. – Evening prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in New York

Friday, September 25
8:30 a.m. – United Nations General Assembly
11:30 a.m. – Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Center
6:00 p.m. – Madison Square Garden Mass

Saturday, September 26
10:30 a.m. – Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia

Sunday, September 27
4:00 p.m. – Papal Mass for World Meeting of Families
8:00 p.m. – Our Holy Father will return to Rome

The USCCB suggests prayers for a Virtual Pilgrimage with Pope Francis.

Here is the prayer for September 25 as Pope Francis addresses world leaders at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York:

O God, who gave one origin to all peoples
and willed to gather from them one family for yourself,
fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love
and kindle in them a desire
for the just advancement of their neighbor,
that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all,
each human person may be brought to perfection,
every division may be removed,
and equity and justice may be established in human society.
Through Christ our Lord.

The Feast of St. Francis is October 4. Transitus, usually celebrated on October 3, is the commemoration of the death and New Life of St. Francis. Here are just a few of the events scheduled to take place this week in honor of our founder:

October 1:
At Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY
Friars will celebrate Transitus at 9 p.m. at Our Lady of the Woods Chapel

October 3:
Transitus Celebrations
The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, OH at 7 p.m.
Mount St. Francis Chapel, Mt. St. Francis, IN at 7 p.m.
Holy Cross Retreat Center, Mesilla Park, NM at 7 p.m.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Tortugas, NM at 5:30 p.m.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Clarksville, IN at 5 p.m.

Pet Blessings
St. Joseph University Parish, Terre Haute, IN at 10 a.m.
St. Bonaventure Church, Bloomington, MN at 10 a.m.

Feast of St. Francis Pitch-in Dinner
St. Anthony Parish, Clarksville, IN 6 to 8 p.m.

October 4:

Celebrating 150 Years at St. Benedict: A dinner and 3D video “virtual tour” of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi at the Indiana Theatre, Terre Haute, In

Pet Blessings
St. Mary Catholic Church, Lanesville, IN at 9 a.m.
St. Mary in Navilleton, IN 12:30 p.m.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Louisville, KY at 2 p.m.
Incarnation Church, Louisville, KY at 1:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and Parish, Tortugas, NM at 1 p.m.

Fr. Jim Kent, Minister Provincial, presents Dr. Lane Chris Nunier with a plaque as an expression of his affiliation as an honorary member.

Dr. Lane Chris Nunier was inducted as an honorary member of the Conventual Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Consolation during a dinner in his honor at Mount St. Francis on Tuesday, September 29th.

Dr. Nunier has helped many of the friars through his chiropractic practice and is a benefactor to Mount St. Francis. Friars Larry Eberhardt and John Maurer spoke about how Dr. Nunier’s practice is like extended family. Minister Provincial Fr. Jim Kent expanded on the idea of the Franciscan family — one that includes friars, friends, and benefactors — all working together to preach the Good News and serve God’s people.

We welcome Dr. Nunier as an honorary member of our Province, and thank him once again for his generous service to our community.

l to r: Dr. Toni Sartini (honorary member since 2014), Dr. Chris Nunier, Kate Carrico (honorary member since 1979)

Dr. Nunier with his family and with Br. Nicholas Wolfla (Province Secretary) and Fr. Jim Kent (Minister Provincial)

How can this be such a happy time? Instead of being somber, the days surrounding the anniversary of the death of St. Francis are celebrated with joy.

Photo by Friar Tony Martinez: Franciscans from the three branches of the First Order celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi in San Antonio, Texas.

Why is that?

During the Transitus celebration at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Br. Nicholas Wolfla reads Br. Elias’ letter to the Brothers on the death of St. Francis.

Because as much as anyone could, St. Francis followed the example of Jesus in the New Testament, truly living a Gospel life. And we are certain God was there to embrace him at the moment of his death.

That’s why we begin the celebration on October 3rd, the night of his death, with a service we call the Transitus – his transition from earthly to eternal life.

Then on October 4th, the Feast Day, we have a special Mass in his honor. We also have a tradition of blessing the animals, reflecting St. Francis’ love of and connection with all of God’s creation.

Friars Florian Tiell, John Bamman, and Jim Kent greet people after mass (at St. Anthony of Padua in Clarksville, IN)

Here are some of the pictures from this year’s festivities around the Province.

Friars and friends enjoyed a reception following the Transitus Celebration at Mount St. Francis, Indiana.

Fr. Tony Vattaparambil blesses the animals at Holy Family Parish in Louisville, KY.

Fr. Maurice Hayes blesses the animals at Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Louisville, KY.

l to r: Fr. David Lenz, Fr. Maurus, and Fr. Simon Sauer at Fr. Maurus 97th birthday party

This week, Fr. Maurus Hauer, OFM Conv. celebrates 98 years of life. The oldest Conventual Franciscan in the English-speaking Provinces, Fr. Maurus continues to pray and study daily. He remains self-sufficient and, though his brothers offer to help him, even insists on doing his own laundry. His smile and laughter grace our friary, and his closeness to the Lord inspires us each day.

And even though he gets around pretty well, Fr. Maurus and the other senior friars living at Mount St. Francis are thankful to everyone who helped get the new elevator installed in the Friary.

Thank you to Fr. Maurus for  76 years of ministry as a Conventual Franciscan Friar!

On Saturday, October 17, in San Antonio, Texas, family, friars, and friends gathered in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Lake University for the priestly ordination of Friar Bryan Hajovsky, OFM Conv. Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. of the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, presided at the Ordination and the celebration of the Eucharist.

Nancy Hajovsky, Fr. Bryan’s mother, shares the joy of his ordination after assisting with his investiture.

In his homily, Bishop John challenged Friar Bryan with Christ’s words in the Gospel, the commitment of St. Francis to the poor and the marginalized, and the modern example of Pope Francis talking of the Church as a place of the Lord’s welcome and Mercy.

The next morning, Fr. Bryan celebrated his first Mass at the parish where he grew up, St. Michael’s in Cuero, Texas. Friar Nick Rokitka, OFM Conv., a member of Our Lady of the Angels Province who has gone through Conventual Franciscan formation with Fr. Bryan, delivered the homily.

Fr. Bryan receives the offertory gifts from his brother Blake and his nieces and nephews.

Fr. Bryan will continue to work at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. He teaches at OLC School and serves at the parish.

Fr. David Lenz, OFM Conv.

by Fr. David Lenz, OFM Conv.

On November 1st the Church has traditionally celebrated the Feast of All Saints. This is an opportunity for us to connect with our beloved deceased holy friends and celebrate their glorious relationship with God.

Many of us have a favorite saint whom we have connected with over a lifetime. My Franciscan brothers have long taught me and modeled their love for the Saints. I recall Fr. Juniper Cummings’ love for St. Anthony and how he wrote his dissertation on St. Anthony when he was studying in the seminary. Certainly I cannot fail to mention Fr. Wayne Hellman’s love and devoted study of St. Bonaventure. Both of these men were examples to all friars of the importance of building and nurturing a relationship with a saint.

My own ‘saint-friend’ is the Friar Padre Pio. I exhort our new novices each year to become acquainted with a saint and nourish a friendship by prayer and reading as much as possible with their ‘saint-friend.’

As we celebrate the Feast of All Saints, it is good for us to call to mind our favorite saint and read a bit about him or her.

One Friar who had a great devotion to St. Anthony of Padua described his devotion this way. He said he had the small wedding band of his deceased mother, which he wore to remind him of her presence. From there he went on to describe his devotion to the relics of St. Anthony, which remind him of the Saint and nourish his friendship with him.

May God grant you peace, comfort, and freedom from anxiety as you recall and reaffirm your relationship with your special Saint.

On December 5th, two Conventual Franciscans, martyrs Friar Zbigniew Strzałkowski and Friar Michał Tomaszek, along with diocesan priest Fr. Alessandro Diordi, will be beatified in Chimbote, Peru. In August 1991 the guerrillas of the Shining Path terrorist group escalated their violence against the Catholic Church, because of the Church’s witness of solidarity with the most disadvantaged. They announced that they would kill a priest every week in the Diocese of Chimbote. On August 9, Michał and Zbigniew were taken from a village church at the end of the evening Eucharistic celebration. After a brief ‘trial,’ they were led out of the village and killed.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12:24)

by Fr. John Pozhathuparambil, OFM Conv.

In early 2013, I received a message from Malaysia: “Could you come and preach for four days on Saint Pio in Malaysia in 2014?” Father Valentine Gompok, a Capuchin Friar, asked me. Unfortunately, I was unable to and declined. Yet Fr Valentine proposed, “Then, you come in 2015. We will wait for you.”  I was honoured to receive the invitation to celebrate the feast of St. Pio where, every year, they would invite a priest from outside Malaysia to preach. However, it would be the first time that they have invited a Conventual Friar to preach at their St Pio feast day!  Thus, I took this as a blessing and privilege.

Finally, after two years of preparation, I arrived in Ulu Tiram in the state of Johor, Malaysia, in September to celebrate the Feast of Saint Pio who is one of the greatest saints of the Capuchin order. It is a huge annual event in Johor, bringing together many international pilgrims such as the Kadazans, Dayaks, Indians, Chinese and Filipinos from various parts of Malaysia (East and West Malaysia), Singapore, and Indonesia. I was very touched as every day during the triduum, I would see new groups of people arriving in the church for the Mass. Though tired from the hours of traveling, they came straight to the church. Their faith and belief is admirable.

In total, around 2000 people gathered to celebrate the feast of their favorite saint. I spoke on Saint Pio as a confessor, spiritual director, devout son of Mary, and follower of Christ crucified. After my preaching, many people came and told me that my words on Saint Pio had touched their lives! I am so happy that God used me as His instrument.

Little do they know that in my preparation and reading of Saint Pio, I came to know him better and he had changed my life too. One thing that struck many of the people is the statement from Saint Pio: “Do not sleep on the tomb of your sins.” This teaches us to not only repent, but to move on and be a better Child of God.

Another amazing experience was that it was also the first time that Friars from the three families of first order (Capuchin, Conventual, and Order of Friars Minor) were present for the feast and people were so happy to see three Franciscan families present on the altar to pray for them.

I am really blessed that our brother Saint Pio picked me up to preach about him.

My stay brought back warm feelings, as Malaysia looked just like my hometown Kerala, India. People are very hospitable and warm. It was monsoon time in Johor, therefore the climate was like American summer. The people eat rice and curry, sometimes even rice for breakfast. They cooked wild boar on the feast day and that was a delicious!

Like all Friars, the Capuchins lead a very simple life filled with love for their parishioners. One thing I found is that the people love to take pictures! I was like a mini celebrity with whom many wanted to take picture.

As I left Malaysia, I took back home the love and care of the people whom I met, as well as the warm hospitality, friendship, and care of the Capuchin Friars with whom I stayed.

The Heart of a Missionary, A Deep Devotion to Zambia and Its People

Fr. Terence Tobin returned to the United States in 2013 after serving more than 50 years as missionary in Zambia. But he never really left the country or the people he loved and served so well. He spoke of the greatness of the Zambian people, and how they strove to build their country after achieving independence. He was known for ending his talks by singing in a clear, proud voice the Zambian national anthem.

Friar Terence Tobin, OFM Conv., died Tuesday November 17, 2015, at St. Francis Senior Ministries in Tiffin, Ohio. He was born William Patrick Tobin February 1, 1923, in Marion Ohio, to Maurice and Clara (Mulvey) Tobin. After serving in the US Navy during World War II, he entered the Conventual Franciscan Order in 1946. He professed Simple Vows on July 13, 1947, and Solemn Vows on July 14, 1950. He was ordained a Priest on May 30, 1953. After eight years in pastoral and education ministry in Ohio, he left for Africa, where he served as a missionary for more than 50 years in Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia).

Fr. Terence on left and Br. Joe Weissling on right (Photo provided by Province Archives)

He was pre-deceased by his parents, his sisters Theresa Mayer, Kathleen McAndrew, Sr. Moira Tobin, SC, (Clara) Eloise Vogel, Anna Mae Johnston, brothers Maurice Tobin and Fr. Robert Tobin, MM, and a niece. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Frank and Noreen Tobin, sister-in-law Jean (Maurice), 30 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and nephews.

Photo provided by Province Archives

“We saw him as a very faithful servant of God,” said Joe Tobin, Fr. Terence’s nephew. “We loved his homilies – he went back into history and explained things. Distributing the sacraments was the most important part of his life.

Photo provided by Province Archives

“Even though he was in Zambia for 50 years, he had a great relationship with each of his nieces and nephews. He was interested in all of us and our lives. He was fun, he liked to sing, and he had a great sense of humor. I remember he introduced us to Frisbees. He was fantastic for us.”

Joe Tobin also talked about Fr. Terence’s Franciscan spirit, especially his commitment to poverty: “Whenever we would get him new things, he would give them away.”

It was that Franciscan commitment that Fr. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv. remembers:

“When I met him in Zambia, what impressed me was how engaged and dedicated he was to the St. Francis mission, the parish work and the teaching of young students. He was proud that he could serve so many people, especially the children.

"Then, later, when he was at Sacred Heart Mission in Ikelenge, he was known as ‘the man who prays.’ So he developed from a very intensive, active worker in service to the poor, to a more intensive, contemplative prayer life when he had to be less active.

“He worked hard, he prayed hard. It is a great model of our life, the lifetime of a Friar.”

******************

A funeral Mass for Fr. Terence will take place Saturday, November 21, at 11 am at the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. A memorial Mass will take place on Tuesday, November 24, at 11 am in the Chapel at Mount St. Francis, Indiana. Memorial gifts to support the Missions of the Conventual Franciscan Friars may be sent to The Province of Our Lady of Consolation, Development Office, 103 St. Anthony Drive, Mount St. Francis, Indiana, 47146 or made online by clicking here.

On Dec. 5, three missionaries killed in Peru by communist terrorists – Polish Conventual Franciscans Zbigniew Strzałkowski and Michał Tomaszek and the Italian diocesan priest Alessandro Dordi – will be beatified.

On December 5th, two Conventual Franciscans, martyrs Friar Zbigniew Strzałkowski and Friar Michał Tomaszek, along with diocesan priest Fr. Alessandro Diordi, will be beatified in Chimbote, Peru. In August 1991 the guerrillas of the Shining Path terrorist group escalated their violence against the Catholic Church, because of the Church’s witness of solidarity with the most disadvantaged. They announced that they would kill a priest every week in the Diocese of Chimbote. On August 9, Michał and Zbigniew were taken from a village church at the end of the evening Eucharistic celebration. After a brief ‘trial,’ they were led out of the village and killed.

The three missionaries were killed by guerrillas of the Shining Path because of their defense of Gospel values and work with the poor. The Franciscans were killed in Pariacoto on August 9, 1991, the Italian priest two weeks later on August 25 after celebrating a Mass in Vinzos, a village in the Santa River valley.

In his message sent to Agenzia Fides, the Bishop of Chimbote explained that “in the place where the beatification will be held we have placed this expression: ‘Martyrs of faith and charity, witnesses of hope.’ Martyrs of faith, because this was what gave them the strength to face imminent death. Martyrs of charity, because their whole lives were devoted to rural communities, with people living in poverty and marginalization. For these reasons, they become not only for our diocese, but for the entire Church of Peru, witnesses of hope.”

Given the large number of faithful expected, the beatification will take place in the Stadium of Chimbote, the diocese where the three martyrs worked.

Although the Shining Path made Peru a dangerous country, many European priests chose to become missionaries there. They included Strzałkowski (1958-1991) and Tomaszek (1960-1991), who entered seminary shortly after their countryman St. John Paul II was elected pope.

“Our entire generation was deeply influenced by this pope and his teachings,” recalled Father Zbigniew Swierczek, a Franciscan in Krakow, Poland, who was friends with the Polish priests in seminary. “They came from families where faith was treated seriously, and so they were radical witnesses of Christ.”

Paradoxically, both the missionaries and terrorists had a common goal: to empower the poor. However, the missionaries saw Christian love as the solution to inequality,while the atheist terrorists chose hatred and terror. After the 1991 martyrdoms, the Shining Path failed to attract recruits in the Chimbote Diocese. In the 1990s, the Peruvian government intensified its crackdown on the organization, and many of the Shining Path’s leaders were jailed.

The Chimbote martyrs show that for true social justice to be achieved, it can only be based on Christian love, not on reducing the person to economic categories.

The doors to St. Peter's

On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis opened the bronze doors of St. Peter’s Basilica symbolically opening the Year of Mercy. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was one of the first pilgrims to pass through the Holy Door.

Pope Francis reminds us that “we should not be afraid: we should allow ourselves to be embraced by the mercy of God, who waits for us and forgives everything.”

Fr. Jim Kent, OFM Conv., minister provincial, notes that as we celebrate the Year of Mercy, it is fitting that we remember the greatest mercy of all is the gift of God's Son.

Pope Francis opens Year of Mercy

Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,
and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.
Show us your face and we will be saved.
Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;
the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things;
made Peter weep after his betrayal,
and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.
Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:
“If you knew the gift of God!”
You are the visible face of the invisible Father,
of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:
let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.
You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness
in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:
let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.
Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing,
so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,
and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor,
proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,
and restore sight to the blind.
We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy,
you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
Amen.