On our Province Feast Day, the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels (August 2nd), Friar Chris Dudek, OFM Conv. (kneeling right) professed his Solemn Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, at a Mass held in his home parish and a large ministry of our province, the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr (Chicopee, MA). His vows were received by our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (seated) and witnessed by Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. (standing right) and the Very Reverend Fr. Michael Zielke, OFM Conv. (standing left – Provincial Minister of the St. Banaventure Province and former Rector/Pastor of the Basilica). Serving at the Mass was friar Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv. (kneeling left), a friar in the Post-Novitiate stage of formation.
Several hundred guests, including around 50 friars, were hosted by the welcoming generosity of Br. Michael Duffy, OFM Conv. (Guardian of the friary and coordinator of the day’s liturgy), Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv. (current Rector/Pastor of the Basilica), the friars of St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Friary, and the volunteers and staff of the Basilica.
Friar Chris joined our order in 2008 and professed his Simple Vows in 2011. Our Province is sending him to Rome for his study of theology, at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure – International College Seraphicum, for the next stage of his 10 year path to ordination as a priest in the Order.