You praise those who endured pain and death – so long as they aren’t Christians! Your cruelties merely prove our innocence of the crimes you charge against us. And you frustrate your purpose. Because those who see us die, wonder why we do, for we die like the men you revere, not like slaves or criminals. And when they find out, they join us.”

The church shows the importance of the martyrs by celebrating just the day after Christmas the feast of the first martyr of the Church, St. Stephen.  Stephen’s death by stoning is narrated in the Acts of the Apostles.  Even in the Order of Mass (Sacramentary), the Common of Martyrs comes right after the Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary, elevating martyrs as first among the saints.

In our own order, a few days ago, on January 16, we celebrated the feast of the Protomartyrs of the Franciscan Order.  The Eighth Centenary was marked in 2020 when the Order honored the Friars Minor, Saints Berardo da Calvi, Accursio and Adiuto da Narni, Ottone da Stroncone and Pietro da San Gemini who were martyred in Morocco.  While we have no way of knowing how many were converted to the Church by the example of their martyrdom or saw it as a call to become Franciscans, we know that at the sight of their bodies, the Augustinian Canon Fernando da Lisbon decided to becoming a Friar Minor, taking the name Anthony, and as Saint Anthony of Padua became one of the most popular and venerated saints in the church. 

The concept of martyrdom is linked intimately to that of sacrifice and offers many aspects that address the issues and challenges of today. For example, it recalls the importance of combining love and self-giving, what is referred to as “kenosis”, pouring out of self. The life of the martyrs recalls the Christian’s way of life and that of every person who is called to live in gratitude; gratitude which is then expressed in spontaneous self-giving to one’s brothers and sisters.

We know that the Rule of the Friars Minor is to live a life of penance, and perhaps it is not too early, during this period between Christmas and Lent, to begin thinking of ways in which our daily lives and Lenten practice can make us grow in holiness and to sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom. 

News from the Convento San Francesco

Brothers I send you warm greetings of peace and goodwill from the city of Rome. In this period of preparation for Christmas, I hope that your activities have unfolded in the best possible way.



In this brief overview of this past month, I want to share with you some significant experiences that we experienced as a fraternity.

On December 20 we finished school and the vacations began in commemoration of the Christmas festivities.

As part of the preparations for Christmas, we held a community retreat. It started with a reflection by our brother Friar Aldo La Neve OFM at the Monte Falco convent. We concluded our day with a mass at Greccio, where we contemplated the representation of the first nativity scene and participated in the indulgence of the 800th Anniversary.

On December 24, we were invited to sing and serve in the liturgy by the friars of the community of the Forty Saints from the province of the friars of Spain. Afterwards, we received an invitation from the General Curia to participate in the liturgy.

On December 25, as it was a holiday for Daniela who supports us in the kitchen, some of our brothers fraternally prepared lunch. Those who did not participate in the preparation of lunch attended the mass in the chapel of our sisters Le Piccole Ancelle di Cristo Re (Sisters of Bosco Merengo), who are currently accompanied by our friars.

On December 31, we participated in the Te Deum prayer at the Vatican. After sharing dinner at the friary, we enjoyed the traditional tombola, part of the Italian customs that we have adopted as a tradition in our American province.

On January 1st, we had the opportunity to have lunch in the style of the Dominican Republic, which our brother Fray Daniel Luna, with the support of the brothers, was able to prepare.

At the beginning of the year 2024, we had the pleasant company of our dear brother Manuel Echeverría, who is in the postulant stage with the friars of Umbria. He spent a few vacation days with us, which allowed us to celebrate his birthday on January 5.

On January 8, all the students in the house resumed our last classes of the university semester, eagerly anticipating the upcoming final exams.

As a pleasant surprise and blessing, we received a visit from our brother Friar Charles Grech OFM, who currently resides in Canada. He decided to share part of his vacation with us, and on January 9, we celebrated his birthday as is customary here in our home.

I appreciate the opportunity to share with you this journey from 2023 to 2024. I wish you an excellent start to the year, trusting that the Lord accompanies you in each of your ministries and pastoral activities. We entrust ourselves to your prayers, while you will be present in ours. In this new year, as we commemorate the eighth centenary of the stigmata, may the strength and love of Saint Francis for the crucified comfort us in our struggles and, above all, in our communities. With a warm embrace, I send you peace and all good!

Brother Kevin Ottoniel Hernández.

Provincial Retreat/ Guardians’ Workshop- May 7-10, 2024

Chapter of Mats- May 11, 2024

Guardians Workshop- A Misnomer?

Have You Made Your Plans for May?

The provincial retreat, guardians’ workshop, and Chapter of Mats will soon be upon us. The minister provincial, who serves as president of the chapter, has asked all friar delegates to get coverage for ministries where needed. He also reminds us that each friar must make an annual retreat. The retreat provided in May will fulfill this obligation. Those who are unable to attend must submit a request to be excused to the provincial minister. Any friar who is unable to attend is responsible for planning for his own annual retreat. All guardians are also expected to attend the May guardians’ workshop. More details follow:

Provincial Retreat, May 7-10, Mt. Alvernia, Wappingers Falls, NY

Directed by Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. 

Guardians’ Workshop, May 7-10 All invited.

All guardians are expected to attend. The basis of this workshop is the Handbook for Guardians from the general curia https://ofm.org/en/handbook-for-guardians-8665.html

Chapter of Mats, May 11 All Chapter of Mats All invited.

Chapter delegates have been selected in each region. All delegates are asked to clear their schedules for Saturday, May 11. The Chapter will be finished Saturday late afternoon for those who need to travel for Sunday Masses. The following, from the minister general and general definitory, outlines our second phase of the chapter. The first stage was our regional meetings,

Second Phase

CELEBRATION

- provincial/custodial level –

·     A date should be fixed, no later than June 2024 (For us, this is May 11), for celebrating the Provincial/CustodialChapter of Mats, lasting between three and five days. (For us, we are including our retreat and workshop as preparatory. This is to respect the needs of the OFS who must work during the week)

·     The President of the Provincial/Custodial Chapter of Mats is the Provincial Minister/Custos.

·     The Provincial/Custodial Chapter of Mats is attended by the Provincial/Custodial Definitory, the Secretary for Evangelisation and Mission, the Secretary for Formation and Studies, the JPIC Assistant, the Assistant of the Second Order, OFS and YOUFRA. The Provincial Definitory/Custodial Council appoints a Secretary of the Chapter of Mats.

The celebration of the Chapter should be structured according to the following suggestions.

OPENING OF THE CHAPTER OF MATS

The Provincial/Custodial Chapter of Mats is to open with a liturgical moment dedicated to

thanksgiving, preferably inspired by the celebratory anniversaries of the coming years: approval of the Later Rule, Greccio crib, stigmata at La Verna, the composition of the Canticle of Brother Sun.

The document further outlines the methodology for the chapter. This will be outlined in the working document which will be provided to delegates.

FMA Celebrates

Dedication of New Chapel

in Honor of Madeline Bonnici

December 19, 2023 marked a significant moment for the Franciscan Mission Association (FMA) with the dedication of the St. Mary Magdalene Chapel, honoring the extensive service of Madeline Bonnici. The event, which began with an 11:00 AM Mass, gathered Madeline's family, including her brother George and two nieces, alongside key partners and employees of FMA.

In a moving homily, Provincial Minister Fr. Robert Campagna, OFM, highlighted Madeline's profound commitment to her work with FMA. He noted that her service extended beyond her desk. Far from being confined to administrative tasks, Madeline's engagement in the Province’s missions was a testament to her dedication and deep understanding of the challenges faced by the communities the Province serves.

Following the homily, Fr. Robert proceeded to bless the new chapel, a space that now stands as a testament to Madeline's enduring legacy within FMA and its missions. After the Mass, attendees gathered around Madeline to express their heartfelt gratitude and congratulations. It was a moment filled with emotion and appreciation, underscoring the impact Madeline has had on the lives of many.

The celebration continued with a luncheon, where stories and memories were shared. The atmosphere was one of joy and fellowship, as colleagues, family, and friends came together to further honor Madeline’s life's work.

As the celebrations drew to a close, a sense of gratitude lingered. The St. Mary Magdalene Chapel, now an integral part of FMA, stands as a lasting reminder of Madeline Bonnici’s dedication and the profound difference one individual can make in the lives of many.

OFM ORDER WEBSITE FEATURES

NATIVITY SCENES FROM

PROVINCIAL SITES

Around Christmas time, the Order of Friars Minor General Website (OFM.org) put out a feature lasting several days of what was called "Presepi Nel Mondo" both online and on its Facebook page. This series showed photos of nativity scenes of Franciscan friaries, churches, and ministries throughout the world. This was to mark the celebration of the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis' Christmas in Greccio. They asked all the OFM friars throughout the world to send in these photos. They were also published in Fraternitas 325 on the 20th of December.

Responding to the request, three Provincial entities were published on the site: the outdoor nativity scene at St. Anthony of Padua Church in New York City, the Provincial Curia indoor manger, and the nativity at the Catedral Inmaculada Concepcion in Comayagua, Honduras.

Christmas Around the Province

Photos from St. Anthony, NYC, St. Thomas, Derry, and Our Lady of Peace, Brooklyn

Our brother, Fr. Armand Padula, O.F.M., passed to eternal life on December 19, 2023, at St. Lawrence Friary Infirmary in Beacon, New York at the age of 93.

He was born in Marlboro, Massachusetts on December 4, 1930, and was baptized Louis, son of Joseph and Louise Tavarozzi. He was received into the Franciscan Order on July 14, 1948; made his temporary profession of vows on July 15, 1949; professed Solemn Vows on July 15, 1952; and was ordained a priest on June 24, 1956.

After biblical studies in Rome and Jerusalem, Fr. Armand served the Province in a variety

of ministries- in initial formation, teaching Sacred Scripture in our seminaries, Formation Director, Novice Master, Provincial Definitor, Secretary of the Province, Retreat Director, while also assisting in various capacities in parochial and retreat ministries and hospital chaplaincies. The majority of his many years of service to the Order and Church were spent at Mount Alvernia in Wappingers Falls, New York, where he is much loved among the local people.

Funeral arrangements were as follows:

Wake and Viewing: Mount Alvernia Chapel, Wappingers Falls

Friday, December 29- 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Wake Service at 7:00 PM

Saturday, December 30- Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM

Burial: Mount Alvernia, Wappingers Falls

Take time to wish our brothers a Happy Birthday!

Philip Adamo - February 2nd - 94

Brennan Egan - February 3rd - 85

Ciro Iodice - February 4th - 81

Giacomo LaSelva - February 6th - 53

James Wells - February 8th - 68

Celestino Canzio- February 15th - 76

Lawrence Stumpo - February 20th - 93

Orlando Ruiz - February 20th - 49

Michael Della Penna - February 21st - 57

Dagobert Hernandez Lopez- February 25th - 45

Robert Caprio - February 25th - 90th

Christopher Gaffrey - February 27th - 46