On Saturday, Oct. 19, Our Lady of the Angels friars and faithful gathered for the Third Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Drawing from the thought and spirituality of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Friar Louis Maximilian Smith gave an inspirational conference entitled, “Mary, Mother of the Church in the 21st Century.”

To celebrate an essential element of our charism, namely our devotion to the Immaculate Conception, our minister provincial, Friar Michael Heine, presided at a Votive Mass of the Immaculate Conception, at which our former Provincial, Friar James McCurry, gave a much appreciated homily that wonderfully complemented Friar Louis’ conference. At the end of Mass, the friars and faithful gathered for a group photo.