At our Shrine of St. Anthony, Ellicott City, MD

October 3, 2019: Our Student Friars of the St. Bonaventure Friary (Silver Spring, MD) organized and directed the Transitus celebration with a candlelight procession, at our Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD. The procession into the Shrine Chapel was led by the student friars, as well as a friar from Tanzania newly assigned friar to the Shrine, Fr. Everest Valentine Nyaki Mkenda, OFM Conv., and two Secular Franciscans (at left). After a greeting by our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Reading I and II were both read by Friar Israel Arauz-Rosiles, OFM Conv., a student friar of St. Joseph Cupertino Province. Between these readings, the Gospel was read by Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Nick Rokitka, OFM Conv., who serves the province as Treasurer, as well as Co-Director of the Post Novitiate Friary in which the student friars reside. Several languages were represented when the intentions were read, including Chaldean read by our student friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv. and German read by Fr. Paul Schloemer, OFM Conv., a friar of Our Lady of Consolation Province and the other Co-Director of the Post Novitiate Friary.
One of our student friars, br. Alejandro María Arias Mosquera, OFM Conv. painted an icon of the Stigmatized St. Francis for the occasion (upper right).
Guests of Honor were the Archdiocese of Baltimore Auxillary Bishop Ermeritus, Most Rev. Denis J. Madden, and from the Priory of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies, in Washington DC, Fr. C. Antoninus Niemiec, O.P. (pictured lower left with Director of the Shrine of St. Anthony, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Eric de la Pena, OFM Conv. In accord with the ancient tradition of Franciscans and Dominicans exchanging pulpits on their respective Feastdays, Fr. Antoninus served as Homilist for the celebration.

Students from the Catholic University of America stopped for a quick photo with our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (center). Our friars included here, in studies at CUA: (left to right) friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv. friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv., friar Richard Rome, OFM Conv., Jonathan Garcia Zenteno (postulant in blacks shirt), br. Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv., br. Alejandro María Arias Mosquera, OFM Conv. and friar Joseph Krondon, OFM Conv.

At St. Benedict the Moor Parish, Columbus, GA

This is the second year our friars have been serving in pastoral ministry in Columbus, GA. Again this year, Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (pastor ) invited his confreres of the Franciscan Martyrs Friary to celebrate Transitus at St. Benedict the Moor Parish. Surrounded by those in attendance for the celebration, behind the altar you can find Friar Noel (leaning on the altar) along with Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. (pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Manny Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar of St. Anne), Fr. Paul Pantiru, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar of St. Anne) and Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church).

At the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Chicopee, MA

Several Junior High students of St. Stanislaus School participated in the Transitus Service at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr, served by Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Joseph Bayne, OFM Conv. (pastor), Fr. Paul Miskiewicz, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar), Fr. Mieczyslaw Wilk, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar) and Fr. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv. (priestly assistance).

At Assumption Church, Syracuse, NY

Elias Arias Rojas, a volunteer with FrancisCorps, took on the role of St. Francis in the Transitus Service celebrated at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, led by Friar Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv. (pastor)

At St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, Jonesboro, GA

Parochial Vicar at our pastoral minstry of Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Atlanta, GA – Fr. Tom Reist, OFM Conv. (top left) joined his confreres serving at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, as they celebrated Transitus with the congregation, led by  Santo Cricchio, OFM Conv (at left). Friar Santo recently returned to the area after serving his country and continuing his education through the GI Bill. He now serves as a counselor through the Holy Family Counseling Center, via an office at the St. Philip Benizi Parish Center. Serving in pastoral ministry at the parish are Fr. John Koziol, OFM Conv. (pastor), Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar), Fr. Louis Palacious Rodriguez, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar) and Fr. Martin Breski, OFM Conv. who took these photos.