Sometimes we find people that really look forward to the summer- the warmth, vacations, relaxation, summer foods like Italian ices and fresh fruits. The kids are home from school, it’s time to go to the beach or to a pool, or up to the mountains, or to Long Island or the Jersey Shore.

There are others who dread the summer- the heat, sweating- vacations, the kids are home from school. One of the things we realize is that even with vacations and relaxation, there are some things we can’t run away from. They may make us feel better about our difficulties and problems, but we can’t escape them. As a matter of fact, sometimes these things grow a bit more intense- especially when the usual distractions of our every day lives are no longer there.

So we may find the words of Jesus to be a challenge to us- when Jesus tells us to be gentle and meek. These are difficult things to do. The ancient Greeks saw these virtues as part of living life in balance. Gentleness and meekness were seen in tandem and as part of balance in our lives. They were in the middle of two opposites- on the one hand aggression or rage- on the other hand, passivity and detachment.

Jesus tells us not only to take our problems to the Lord, but to treat them with balance. Our lives, too, are called to be in balance. The summer can be an opportunity to get in touch with our spirituality- to balance out the usual busy-ness of our lives with prayer, spiritual reading, and relaxing in the Lord.  This is what the Christian life is all about- living in balance.  Someimes we may feel like screaming or yelling, fighting, throwing a tantrum. Other times we may feel like giving up, throwing up our hands, and giving up on our those things that are important to us- our faith, our fraternity, family, and friends. We know that neither extreme is good for us. Summer is a great time to find some balance in our lives. Let’s take advantage of this so that we may be better Christians and holier friars.

Happy Summer,

News from the Convento San Francesco

As the brothers at the Convento head out for their vacations and summer assignments, a few final moments were captured for inclusion in our newsletter: the renewal of vows held at the Convento on June 29, the graduation (baccalaureate) of Br. Marco Antonio Gomez Garcia, and the visit of students from the Antonianum to the Vatican Library, with some of our brothers in attendance. We wish the brothers a great summer- it is so great to see them at our various friaries.

Photos below: renewal of vows on the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul.

Visit to the Vatican Library Fr. Antonio Nardoianni with Cardinal O''Malley

Above- Photos from Br. Marco Antonio's Baccalaureate- Congratulations, Marco

Summer Assignments for Convento Friars

Br. Marco Antonio Gomez- Solemn Vows Preparation (Italy)

Br. Daniel Luna Ramirez- Agape, El Salvador

Br. Kevin Ottoniel Hernandez- Valle de los Angeles, Guatemala

Br. John Sidoti- St. Joseph Parish, Winsted, CT

Br. Nelson Aldair Orantes Calderon- Winsted, CT

Br. Daniel Cavalieri- Inmaculada Concepcion, Ataco, El Salvador

Br. Dagoberto Hernandez Lopez- St. Peter, Woodbridge, Ontario

Br. Kevin Gabriel Gonzalez Vega- St. Christopher, Boston

Br. Efrain Gabriel Rojas Mendieta- St. Christopher, Boston

Br. Oscar Valle Perez- Padua Friary, NYC (work with Health Care)

Br. Luis Antonio Hernandez Lopez- – Ministry in Italy

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, during the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis announced the date for the new Consistory, 30 September, in which His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa will be created Cardinal. Formerly Custos of the Holy Land and Guardian of Mount Zion from 2004 to 2016, he had been appointed, by Pope Francis as Apostolic Administrator and then Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. He is known for personal integrity and simplicity; much of his pastoral work has been with Hebrew speakers and he has close ties to Jewish leaders, while he has also been a vocal supporter of the Palestinians.

Cardinal Designate Pizzaballa was born in Cologno al Serio, Bergamo, on 21 April 1965, son of Pietro and Maria Maddalena Tadini. He entered the Franciscan minor seminary in Bologna in September 1976 and on 5 September 1984, entered their novitiate in La Verna. He made his first vows there on 7 September 1985 and his solemn vows in Bologna on 4 October 1989. He earned his bachelor's degree in theology at the Pontifical University Antonianum and was ordained a priest on 15 September 1990, in the Cathedral of Bologna. He obtained his diploma in classical studies at the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Ferrara. He studied Biblical Theology at the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Jerusalem and then taught biblical Hebrew at the Franciscan Faculty of Biblical Science and Archeology in Jerusalem. Besides his native Italian, he speaks Hebrew and English.

After completing his postgraduate studies, he taught Biblical Hebrew at the Franciscan Faculty of Biblical and Archaeological Sciences in Jerusalem, was responsible for the publication of the Roman Missal in Hebrew in 1995, and translated liturgical texts in Hebrew.

He joined the Custody of the Holy Land in July 1999 and was responsible for the pastoral care of Hebrew-speaking Catholics. On 9 May 2001, he was appointed Superior of the Convent of Saints Simeon and Anna in Jerusalem. From 2005 to 2008 he served as Patriarchal Vicar.

He was Custos of the Holy Land from May 2004 to April 2016, having been elected to a six-year term in May 2004, re-elected to a three-year term in March 2010, and reconfirmed for another three-year term in 2013.

In 2008 he was appointed a Consultor in the commission for relations with Judaism of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

In June 2014 Pope Francis entrusted him with organizing the peace prayer in the Vatican gardens, which brought together Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

On 24 June 2016, Pope Francis nominated him Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and made him titular archbishop of Verbe. On 10 September 2016, he was consecrated bishop. The appointment of an Italian broke with tradition in that such posts are normally assigned to members of the ethnic group they predominantly serve, and his immediate predecessors had been a Palestinian and a Jordanian. His elevation to the College of Cardinals is seen not only as a great honor for the Patriarch himself, but also for the Order in its ministry in the Holy Land.

Br. Massimo Fusarelli, O.F.M., Minister General of the Order, sent his prayers and best wishes to the Cardinal-Designate on behalf of the friars: “To our brother Pierbattista, we wish him every blessing. He will be accompanied by the prayers of the whole Order so that his ministry to the Church of the Holy Land and to the people of the Middle East may bear abundant fruit of peace and goodwill.”

Congratulations to those friars named to the Administration of the new

Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.

JAMAICA PLAIN POOR CLARES

MOVING TO NEW MONASTERY

The Poor Clares of Jamaica Plain, familiar to many of our friars who have been stationed in the Boston area, are moving. The monastery at 920 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain is closing for good and the sisters are now in the process of moving. Their new home is:

Monastery of St. Clare

590 Gay Street

Westwood MA 02090

Phone 617.5224.1760

Website is www.poorclarenunsboston.org

Email is poorclarenunsboston@gmail.com

We wish the sisters well in their new home. If anyone wants to assist them in their move, please call them.

The sisters write: Our founding sisters arrived in Boston in 1906 and lived for 28 years in an abandoned building in Chinatown. Because we are an Enclosed Order of Nuns, there was no green space where they could walk, only the rooftop, and their health suffered from the smokestacks around them. Before long, they needed a larger and more suitable place for the increasing number of other young women wanting to spend their lives in prayer for our world. For years the sisters worked hard to sell their handmade items, and together with donations from people like yourselves, purchased this land in Jamaica Plain and built our beautiful monastery. Through all those years YOU have made our Franciscan Contemplative form of life in the city of Boston possible.  Our gratitude to you is boundless.

Our situation today calls us to embrace yet another step in our 116-year history in Boston. For years, our building has had big problems. For starters, the asbestos around all pipes and in the floor, tiles has to be removed, new heating system installed, all electric wiring replaced, plumbing pipes replaced, roof and bricks repaired, etc., etc. Since we do not have the finances to do major repairs – we are told it would cost 10 million dollars to bring the building up to code – we need to move into a smaller and newer building that we would be able to maintain. We’ve been searching for a suitable place for 20 years.

Unexpectedly, one day, when we were discouraged about ever finding a suitable place, a friend informed us about property not far away, and within the Archdiocese of Boston. It was an answer to our years of prayer and searching. The house has enough rooms for each of us to move right into. Praise God! Depending totally upon God’s guidance and Providence, so graciously expressed in the continued friendship and kindness of our neighbors, we need to move to this smaller place. Our need to take this step is urgent.

We depend upon the sale of this property in order to purchase the new place we so badly need. Understandably, because we love our home, designed by our own sisters as a monastery, a consecrated place, we feel concern for how it would be used. Various suggestions and plans presented to us altered it to such a degree that we thought it best that the building be razed. Since then, other ideas have surfaced that offer a more acceptable plan for its future.

Besides supporting ourselves, we also provide for the foundation we made in Japan in 1960, as there are few Christians there to help them. This was the fifth foundation made by our community, and we could not have done even one of them without you.  Most of all, we need to know that you understand this is a difficult decision for us. When the sisters moved here from their temporary home near St. James Church, all their friends came that long distance to visit them as they always had. It was so heartening to hear a neighbor say just recently: “I’ll follow you wherever you go!”

Madeline Bonnici, who has for many years been Executive Director of the FMA in Mount Vernon, NY, has announced her retirement, effective September 8, 2023.  Madeline has spent her entire adult life in close collaboration with the work of our Franciscan community. She is a true daughter of our Father Francis in all her activities.

A life-long member of Franciscan parishes, she is a native of Mt. Vernon, New York, the daughter of Paul and Angela (Mizzi) Bonnici.

She was always active in her parish and during her high school years became a member of the Sodality of Our Lady of Lourdes. The society offered an opportunity for young, single women to learn and develop their spirituality in a true Christian way. Eventually, as an adult, she became its president.

Early in life she volunteered at the FMA under Fr. Bernard Dazzi, O.F.M. That initial voluntary effort grew into full- time responsibilities. 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.

The volunteer fund-raising effort was so successful that it required full-time attention. Madeline became the first full-time employee of Franciscan Mission Associates in 1963. She has performed every job in the organization and, as executive director, has been involved in every phase of planning and performance at FMA, which has become world- renown example of successful educational, spiritual, fund raising and mission awareness in tune with the directives and desires of the Church, Order, and Province. 

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.

Madeline’s work at FMA has included very practical day-to-day activities such as management and hiring of personnel, computerization of extensive mailing lists, programs promoting bequests, monthly mission sponsors, supervision of style and content for advertisements in both direct mail and periodical publications.

As Executive Director she has been continually updating her knowledge and abilities through professional education and membership in national trade associations.

On March 25, 1998, with the unanimous approval of the Provincial Definitorium, Madeline, along with Mary Lombardi, a long-time volunteer at FMA, was affiliated into the Order of Friars Minor by Fr. Alban Montella, O.F.M., Provincial Minister.  The Provincial Chapter of 2010 unanimously asked that a note of appreciation be sent to Madeline and her staff for the work she is doing for the Order, Province, and Church.  The Chapter report reads: "The name of this Province institution tells one right away that FMA is more than just a development office.  Raising money, procuring funds, is not the sole mission of this joyful group of men and women who love Saint Francis and his spirit. Under the loving and able direction of a great Franciscan, Madeline Bonnici, the FMA is dedicated to handing on the Franciscan spirit to all who come to the attention of the FMA, donor or not. Saint Francis is very much alive in this place. That kind of special dedication and service, that kind of partnership with the Province, has obviously and clearly translated into phenomenal financial support for the missions, for senior friars, for formation, and for some wonderful individual apostolates of the Province. 

In his recent visit to the Province, 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 meeting with Madeline 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.”

Fr. Robert, in accepting the letter of retirement from Madeline, wrote: “Certainly, you know that your name has been synonymous with the ministry of the Franciscan Mission Associates and the multitude of wonderful works it has fostered.  I think of the countless ministries in our missions, in so many foreign lands, as well as in our own country that have flourished because of FMA and your great leadership and example throughout these years. Just think of what a great chorus of voices it would be if all those who have been helped thanks to your efforts could together join us in saying thank you for all you have done."  

Thank you, Br. Madeline.  As a province we are deeply appreciative of all you have done, and wish you good health, happiness, and many blessings in your retirement.  

With the retirement of Madeline, Fr. Alvin Te, O.F.M., will assume the position of Executive Director of the Franciscan Mission Associates.

Madeline explaining to Minister General Br. Massimo Fusarelli, O.F.M. about the work and history of the Franciscan Mission Associates.

The affiliation of Br. Madeline Bonnici into the Order of Friars Minor

by Fr. Alban Montella, O.F.M., Provincial Minister

Fr. Provincial Visits Guatemala

From July 11-14, Fr. Robert Campagna, Provincial Minister, accompanied by Fr. Orlando Ruiz, visited Guatemala for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Orfanato Valle de los Angeles by Fr. Rocco Famiglietti. The Orfanato marked the occasion with the celebration of a “Cena de Amor” dinner, marking thirty years of service to the children of Guatemala. Fr. Robert also visited the Hospital Hermano Pedro, which the Province has supported for many years as well as the Poor Clares (the province build their monastery).  It was a great gathering of the friars of our Central American ministries. Photos below.

Fr. Victor Treminio Prepares to say "Farewell" to Troy After year of fruitful ministry.

Greetings from Troy, NY. 

A month ago, I was celebrating my first anniversary of priestly life. It is incredible how time flies by. I thank God that he wanted me to be accompanied this year by two excellent brothers here at Saint Anthony of Padua church: Richard Donovan who put all his effort and dedication to make me feel at home and Primo Piscitello from whose wisdom and experience I have learned many things (besides enjoying his excellent Italian food).

I never tire of expressing my gratitude to the people of the parish who from the first moment were grateful for my presence, making me feel welcome.

At the diocesan level, this year that I was here, I supported the Hispanic apostolate. It was a great experience because up to now I am the only Hispanic priest in the diocese. I have met many people and I have learned a lot from them and with the help of God I was able to minister the sacraments to them.

One of the achievements that we were able to do at the diocesan level was to organize the first youth retreat entitled: Come and see (John 1:39). The retreat was a complete success; more than 70 people attended and thank God the young people were motivated for the next year.

The diocese of Albany is a large diocese in territory; some priests oversee up to four parishes. I ask for your prayers so that the Lord also increases vocations in this diocese.

Now I am preparing for another adventure with the brothers of Saint Thomas in Derry. I ask for your prayers so that the Lord continues to guide and motivate my steps.

God bless you.

History of St. Anthony Church NYC by John Gilmary Shea, The Catholic Churches of New York City (New York: Lawrence G. Goulding & Co., 1878), 178-182.  

Father Anacletus De Angelis, O.F.M. (1836-1905)

Pastor of St. Anthony’s from 1878 to 1890.

There can be little doubt but that the Catholic navigator Gomes, at the close of the first quarter of the sixteenth century, entered our harbor on the feast of the great Franciscan, St. Anthony of Padua; and, himself a Portuguese, felt especial devotion to that glory of his native land. We draw this conclusion from the fact that other coast names are those of summer feasts, and in the name of St. Anthony applied to our noble Hudson, we see the first dedication to that great saint.

No church, however, bore his name until the year 1859, when a zealous Italian priest was touched by the condition of his poor countrymen in New York. Many of these, having none to address them in their native tongue, had fallen into utter neglect of their religious duties, while the revolutionary element, full of hatred of religion and the priesthood, did all in their power to weaken the pious impressions of early training; and the devouring wolves of religious proselytism, who cared little for the temporal or eternal future of their victims, so that they lured them from Rome, strained every nerve and lavished money to seduce the poor Italians from their faith.

Rev. Mr. Sanguinetti obtained a lease of the church building in Canal Street which had been used by the congregation of St. Vincent de Paul, and with the sanction and encouragement of the Most Reverend Archbishop, began to collect his scattered countrymen and endeavored to revive piety and devotion among them. His labors were far from fruitless; but difficulties arose, and the spirit of evil was not so easily driven from a field that he claimed. The good priest, after struggling for more than a year, lost heart, and, thoroughly discouraged, abandoned the mission which he had undertaken. But the Church of St. Anthony of Padua was not to be merelv a name.

The wants of the Italians had become evident, and many among them were not disposed to let the project fail. The Most Reverend Archbishop mentioned his difficulty to the Very Rev. Pamfilio da Magliano, then Provincial of the Franciscans at Allegheny. Nothing could be more consoling to that excellent religious man, and he gladly undertook to establish a church for his countrymen. The Rev. Leo Pacilio, an accomplished Neapolitan priest, was sent to commence the good work. Selecting a portion of the city where no Catholic church existed, he looked for a suitable building. Prudence suggested economy, and finding in Sullivan Street a Methodist church on leasehold property that could be acquired on reasonable terms, he secured it, and soon fitted it up for the use of the Italian congregation whom he gathered.

The church was solemnly dedicated on the 10th day of April, 1866, by the Most Reverend Archbishop, now Cardinal McCloskey, assisted by the Very Rev. William Starrs, V.G.; and the Rev. Francis McNeirny, secretary. After the usual ceremonies setting apart this building for the service of the Church, the altar was adorned, and a Solemn High Mass celebrated by the Very Rev. Pamfilo da Magliano, Father Leo da Saracena as deacon, and Father Andrew Pfeiffer as subdeacon. The Most Reverend Archbishop preached the dedicatory sermon; and after the Post Communion, the pastor. Rev. Leo Pacilio, returned thanks to the Archbishop in Italian, expressing the gratitude of his flock. In the evening, at vespers, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Lynch of Charleston gave benediction, and an Italian sermon was delivered by the learned Dr. De Concilio of Jersey City. The Fathers at first took up their abode in part of the building, which they found arranged so as to be adapted to the purpose, and zealously began their labors.

When the success of St. Anthony’s was no longer in doubt, a more convenient residence was obtained. The Italians soon found their way from all parts to the new church, and benefited by the ministrations of the Franciscans. Father Leo was succeeded by F, Joachim Guerrini. The convent was then for some years the residence of the Provincial of the Order in this country. The Very Rev. James Titta, who was attached to the church from 1871, remained when made Provincial, and after the conclusion of his term. He was a native of Gombitelli, and after his ordination in 1854 belonged to the choir of the Lateran Basilica. He died Guardian of the Convent and pastor of St. Anthony’s, March 11, 1877, highly esteemed by the flock which he had directed, now embracing not only Italians but many English-speaking Catholics, who have learned to appreciate the sons of St. Francis of Assisi. The present Guardian of the Convent and pastor of Rev. of the church is the Rev. Father Anacletus, O.S.F.

Such is, in brief, the history of the church dedicated to the great Franciscan saint, in whose honor Father Louis Hennepin, two centuries ago, named the cataract on the Upper Mississippi, still known as the Falls of St. Anthony ; and in whose honor the Spanish Franciscans soon after named a mission in Texas, which has now become an episcopal see. The Fathers at our New York church neglect no means to diffuse piety among- their flock. The Society of St. Vincent de Paid, so zealous in relieving the poor, is well established ; and there is also the Italian Benevolent Society of St. Anthony. They have organized rosary and temperance societies for both English and Italian-speaking Catholics, with the Children of Mary, and a Sodality of the Holy Angels, and a Society of the Sacred Heart. The Franciscans have a Third Order, for persons of both sexes living in the world, but following to some extent the rule of St. Francis. There are Tertiaries connected with this church, and also the Confraternity of the Cord of St. Francis. Education has received special care. The late Father James Titta bought a suitable building and established a parish school, in which English and Italian are taught; the boys by lay teachers, the girls by the Missionary Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.

The field open for the labors of the Fathers of the Church of St. Anthony is one that day by day increases. Under the old rule in Italy, living was low; and in no part of the world perhaps was there a more contented population. The dream of Italian unity has been realized, and it has resulted in a profligate and expensive court, a civil administration reckless of expense, a standing army that takes nearly a million of men, in the prime of life, from the pursuits of industry, and compels the rest of the community to support them. The seizure of church property and its sale did little to fill the exchequer, drained by the new outlays. Taxes were multiplied, and many small cultivators were forced to abandon the lands held by their ancestors for centuries.

New Italy drove her children by the thousands from her shores, to seek a livelihood in other lands. The emigration to America took a rapid development, and with the worthy and industrious came, of course, many whose evil courses made them gladly seek a change. The City of New York, the natural centre of immigration, has received Italians by thousands, so that they are now found in all branches of trade and labor, the unskilled taking in many cases the Work on railroads and other improvements, which was formerly almost exclusively performed by the stalwart men from Ireland. These emigrants, in a new and strange country, with none of the influence of their parish priest or religious — their quiet rural homes exchanged for city tenements— were exposed to a loss of faith. It will thus be seen that the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, being the only one in the city devoted exclusively to the care of the spiritual interests of the Italian residents, has an immense work.

MEMORIES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL, BOSTON

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Take time to wish our brothers a Happy Birthday!

Romano Almagno - August 5 (84)

James Villa - August 6 (80)

Maurus Muldoon - August 8 (85)

Jimmy Zammit - August 11 68)

Victor Treminio- August 17 (34)

Regis Gallo - August 19 (91)

Charles Gingerich - August 24 (75)

Michael D'Cruz - August 26 (93)