Fraternal visit of the Most Rev. Fr. Jan Maciejowski, OFM Conv.,
Vicar General of the Conventual Franciscan Order

 On Oct. 18 – 20, 2022, the Vicar General of the Order, Father Jan Maciejowski, OFM Conv., [3rd from left] visited the friar novices at Saint Francis of Assisi Friary and Novitiate, Arroyo Grande, CA. During his stay at the novitiate, the friar novices were able to ask him questions about the status and the future of the Order. Father Marek Stybor, OFM Conv., the Assistant Novice Director, served as translator, as the Vicar General only speaks his native Polish and Italian. Father Jan also stressed the benefits and the beauty of the Order’s international character as exhibited in a place like Rome, where friars from around the world come to study. On his last day at the friary, he celebrated the Holy Mass in honor of Blessed James of Strepar, the Saint of the Day and one of our Franciscan brothers. In his homily, he highlighted the importance of perseverance in one’s vocation, and the joy to be found in the life of the Gospel as lived in community. Before departing, Father Jan blessed the friars with the Blessing of Saint Francis and expressed his hope to see the novices again in the future.

Pax et bonum!
friar Connor Joseph Ouly, OFM Conv.
friar Marvin Paul Asuncion Fernandez, OFM Conv.

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NOTE: friar Connor [3rd from right] and friar Marvin [4th from right] are the two Novices of our province, living in community in the Novitiate in Arroyo Grande, CA with three friar novices of Our Lady of Consolation Province, and two novices of St. Bonaventure Province, under the leadership of Novice Director – Br. Joseph Wood, OFM Conv. [not pictured], a friar of St. Bonaventure Province, and Assistant Novice Director – Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. [2nd from right], a friar of our province.