On Monday, August 15th, start the day with Mass at the Church of Our Lady Victorious, where the miraculous statue of the Infant of Prague is venerated.
After a long pandemic pause, Our Lady of the Angels Province is once again sponsoring a Franciscan Pilgrimage to a number of Marian Shrines in Europe, from August 13 -25, 2022. The highlight this coming year will be to attend the Passion Play at Oberammergau, Germany. The pilgrimage will include five countries: Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. As is the past, Friar James McCurry, OFM Conv. will be the Spiritual Guide. The brochure containing all the information and details is linked:Franciscan European Marian Shrines Pilgrimage (August 13-25, 2022). The brochure is to be used to register. The reservation deadline is April 12, 2022, but great interest is expected so the limited space of 35 participants is bound to fill up quickly. Thank you for your cooperation in this provincial initiative.
Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (Pilgrimage Director – jobe.abbass@gmail.com)
Our Lady of the Angels Province – Delegate for the Marian Apostolate
“In a treasured tradition, (Our Lady of the Angels Province friar) Father Jude DeAngelo, OFM Conv., University chaplain and director of campus ministry, blessed the hands of over 150 student nurses from the 2022 and 2023 classes in the University’s Conway School of Nursing, earlier this fall.
The annual White Coat Dedication and Blessing of the Hands Ceremony held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington DC) reminds student nurses of the need for patient-centered, humanistic care and seeks a commitment to the highest standards of the profession. The 2022 blessing was delayed by COVID.
November 16, 2021: The people of our Siler City, NC pastoral ministry of St Julia Catholic Community welcomed the lit torch from the Shrine of Guadalupe in Mexico’s “Torch Race” (Carrera Antorcha Guadalupana Mexico New York). For 19 years the Asociación Tepeyac de New York has coordinated the Torch Race to honor the Queen of Mexico, and thus achieve more unity among Mexicans living on both the sides of the Border. The torch left Mexico City on September 5, 2021 and crossed the boarder into the USA, on October 20, 2021.
As the race leg in NC came closer to St. Julia Catholic Community, runners ran along Rt 64 to bring the torch to the parish. The pictures below show the parish runners along the way, with the parish youth in the church courtyard, as they brought it home. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar & pastor of the St. Julia Catholic Community, Fr. Julio Martinez, OFM Conv. is seen reverencing the two images of Our Lady and of St Juan Diego, and then lighting of the Paschal Candle in the church sanctuary, with the “Light of Guadalupe.” The final photo depicts the church ready for the evening celebration of songs, tributes, poetry and dance. December will also hold a week-long celebration at the parish, and the recitation of 38 Rosaries prayed in three different homes every night has already begun, in spiritual preparation for the great Feast, on December 12th. Viva La Virgen de Guadalupe! Viva Mexico!
Starting on Sunday, November 14, 2021, Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province Secretary, Director & Rector of The Shrine of St. Anthony, and Spiritual Guardian of The Companions of St. Anthony– all on the Ellicott City, MD Campus) is the featured presenter for the three day 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotions, at our Shamokin, PA pastoral Ministry – Mother Cabrini Catholic Church.
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province is promoting opportunities to more fully tap into a devotion from our Kolbean heritage, through the example of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., and the continued efforts of his Militia of the Immaculata’s (M.I.) unconditional Consecration to the Immaculate. In order to better promote M.I. among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., our Province MI Assistant, has completed the 32nd successful and rewarding stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Friar Jobe’s revised scheduled stops on this tour will continue through February of 2022. Keep him and all those he greets in your prayers, as he continues to preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate, and to enroll in the M.I.
On the weekend of November 13-14, 2021, the M.I. Initiative arrived at St. Julia Parish in Siler City, N.C., where Friar Julio Martinez, OFM Conv. is the much-loved pastor. In addition to two English Masses, there are two Spanish Masses, which were filled to capacity despite the ongoing pandemic. It was a pleasure and an inspiration to see how the faithful so enthusiastically welcomed the invitation to entrust themselves to the Immaculate and to become members of the M.I. In the photo above with Friar Jobe (top center) and the parish’s Deacon Ramon Ferrer Vales (front center) are only a portion of the new M.I. members. The others were among the great crowd being greeted by Friar Julio as they left the church.
+Fr. Ignatius Maternowski vitrail (stained glass window), in La Petite Chapelle de Cauquigny, Normandy, France
While visiting the Église Saint-Ferréol of Cauquigny, to bless the new stained glass window in the chapelle des Parachutés (aka La Petite Chapelle de Cauquigny), to honor +Fr. Ignatius Maternowski, OFM Conv., our Minister Provincial – the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. was interviewed in a live broadcast on D Day Live. Follow the link to read more about Franciscan Friar Conventual priest and US military chaplain, +Father Ignatius Maternowski, OFM Conv., who was killed during the Invasion of Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
In 2019, at the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Pastor of Mother Cabrini Catholic Church (Shamokin, PA) – Fr. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv. and Province Director of Mission Advancement – Mr. Joseph Hamilton represented the Our Lady of the Angels Province (Link to Post). At that time, they presented the local US-Normandy Association of Remembrance and Gratitude (Association U.S. Normandie , mémoire et gratitude) with an American flag that had been flown over the US Capitol, in honor of +Fr. Ignatius. The Association placed this flag on the Altar at the Mass of Dedication of the +Fr. Ignatius Maternowski vitrail (stained glass window), on November 12, 2021.
The Parish Priest of Picauville and Sainte-Mère-Église, le père Marie Bernard Seigneur (above concelebrating the November 12, 2021 Mass with Fr. James), hosted the ceremony in “La Petite Chapelle de Cauquigny,” where some of the fiercest fighting on D-Day took place – close to the nearby hamlet of Gueutteville, where Fr. Ignatius was slain.
Église Saint-Ferréol Cauquigny ou Chapelle Saint-Ferréol dite chapelle des Parachutés (aka La Petite Chapelle de Cauquigny)
As the fighting raged on D-Day and the following week around Gueutteville, Normandy, the body of our slain friar-priest-chaplain lay off limits on the hamlet’s single dirt road where he died. Local survivors with their children took refuge in this dwelling that the Germans had occupied, and where Fr. Ignatius had tried to persuade the enemy to observe the Geneva conventions which protected the civilians and the wounded troops. After the war, the hamlet’s survivors pooled their scant money to obtain and install at the site this statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary (below). Its present owner – Claude and his son – Remy (at right with Fr. James) welcomed the group to pray before the treasured statue.
Fr. James left a cross with a red poppy, at the old stone wall on Gueutteville’s sole street, at the exact spot where Fr. Ignatius’ slain body lay unmoved for three days.
The group visited the Memorial in Guetteville, France, commemorating the charity and heroism of Franciscan Friar Conventual Fr. Ignatius Maternowski on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
On the day that Fr. James blessed the new Fr. Ignatius Window in Normandy’s Cauquigny Chapel, L’association US Normandie Mémoire et Gratitude conferred upon Fr. James honorary membership in the Association.
Bénédiction du vitrail en l’honneur de +Père Ignatius Maternowski, OFM Conv. Cauquigny, Normandie, France 12 novembre 2021
Homélie prononcée par Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
Les premiers frères franciscains sont arrivés en Normandie à pied au treizième siècle, du vivant de leur fondateur, Saint François d’Assise. Plus de sept cent cinquante ans plus tard, un autre frère franciscain est arrivé en Normandie, non pas à pied mais en parachute. Le Père Ignatius Maternowski, prêtre et aumônier franciscain, est arrivé ici à Amfreville, Picauville, Guetteville et Cauquigny, le 6 juin 1944 – le Jour J. Peut-être certains de vos propres parents et grands-parents l’ont-ils accueilli, lui et ses compagnons d’armes, en ce jour fatidique, alors que commençait leur mission de libération de la France.
Le père Ignatius a versé son sang ici, sur le sol de Normandie, quelques heures après son arrivée. Il a été le seul aumônier américain à mourir le jour J. Il a offert sa vie pour vous, à l’âge de trente-deux ans, en tant que martyr pour la cause des droits de l’homme. Sa mort a témoigné du passage de l’Évangile : “Celui qui perdra sa vie [pour les saints desseins de Dieu] la sauvera” [cf. Luc 17:33]. Peut-être qu’un jour, l’Église catholique déclarera le père Ignace “bienheureux”, puis “saint”. Aujourd’hui, pour vous et pour moi, le Père Ignace est déjà considéré comme un “saint” homme de Dieu, dont nous invoquons la mémoire avec honneur, dévotion, gratitude et prière.
La Normandie a toujours été un lieu qui manifeste la gloire de Dieu. Comme le dit le Livre de la Sagesse, le vent, l’air, la mer, les étoiles – tous si évidents en Normandie – évoquent la puissance et l’énergie de notre Dieu Créateur – un Dieu d’Amour en qui le Père Ignace a trouvé toute l’inspiration et le courage dont il avait besoin pour venir ici le Jour J.
Ce magnifique nouveau vitrail dans la chapelle de Cauquigny nous rappellera à jamais que l’amour héroïque est possible – l’amour du pays, l’amour de l’humanité, l’amour de Dieu. L’artiste du vitrail, M. Joseph Beyer, de Philadelphie, en Pennsylvanie, aux États-Unis, a représenté le père Ignace comme un héros de l’amour – portant l’habit gris de l’ordre franciscain, et arborant l’uniforme de la quatre-vingt-deuxième division aéroportée. En réalité, le père Ignace était un homme qui portait trois uniformes différents – chacun distinct : son habit franciscain, ses vêtements sacerdotaux et sa tenue de combat de soldat.
Le père Ignace avait trois identités distinctes – frère, prêtre et aumônier de l’armée. Il est mort en portant l’uniforme de la quatre-vingt-deuxième division aéroportée de l’armée des États-Unis. Cependant, il ne portait que l’uniforme d’aumônier, car il avait d’abord été appelé à porter l’uniforme de l’ordre franciscain et les vêtements du sacerdoce. Il portait des vêtements différents pour manifester ses différentes identités à des communautés particulières, mais ces trois uniformes signifiaient tous un message commun : L’amour chrétien du père Ignace pour tous les peuples et son engagement à défendre la dignité de chaque personne humaine.
Lorsque le Père Ignace a été abattu à Guetteville, il portait un brassard à croix rouge pour rappeler les conventions de Genève en vigueur depuis 1929, des dispositions destinées à protéger en temps de guerre tous les blessés, les mourants et les non-combattants. Le témoignage de M. Theroude a clairement montré que le Père Ignace a risqué sa vie pour persuader l’ennemi de ces principes de droits de l’homme et pour protéger les populations locales de cette région. Le père Ignace est mort pour protéger, non seulement ses compagnons d’armes blessés, mais aussi tous les innocents non-combattants de la région contre les représailles allemandes. Il est mort pour défendre ces principes – un martyr de l’amour.
Même aujourd’hui, à une époque séculaire et pluraliste, ce capitaine de l’armée catholique et franciscaine – un simple garçon de la petite ville de Holyoke, dans le Massachusetts – incarne les aspirations les plus élevées de toutes les branches de la famille humaine. Son engagement envers la dignité de la personne humaine était absolu. Aujourd’hui, grâce à ce nouveau vitrail, chaque personne qui entre dans la chapelle de Cauquigny peut contempler ces vérités. Chaque visiteur peut quitter cette chapelle inspiré par la conviction que l’amour pour l’humanité ne doit connaître aucune limite, comme en témoignent la vie et la mort du Père Ignace.
Permettez-moi de conclure en reconnaissant et en remerciant, au nom de la famille franciscaine du père Ignace, tous ceux qui ont rendu possible la célébration et la cérémonie de bénédiction d’aujourd’hui :
Père Seigneur, curé de Sainte-Mère Eglise
Maire d’Amfreville, Madame Ginette Dongé
Maire de Picauville, Madame Marie Hélène Perrotte
Maire de Sainte-Mère Eglise, Alain Holley
Maire de Beuzeville la Bastille, Carles Dupont
Sénateur Philippe Lebas
le député Philippe Gosselin
Les membres de l’Association US-Normandie ‘Memorie et Gratitude’,
notamment :
M. Pascal Millet
M.Emile LaPierre
M. Daniel Briard
M. Eric Labourdette
M. Steve Todd
Mme Vivian Roger et M. Rodolphe Roger
La colonel Kelly Carrigg
M. Joseph Beyer et son épouse Rita
Enfin, permettez-moi de remercier tous ceux qui sont ici aujourd’hui – les habitants de Normandie qui chérissent la mémoire de mon frère franciscain, le Père Ignace. Je ne peux imaginer un plus bel endroit au monde où la mémoire de ce gentil héros-martyr devrait être préservée et vénérée. Que Dieu vous bénisse.
[English Translation]
Blessing of Stained-Glass Window in honor of +Father Ignatius Maternowski, OFM Conv. Cauquigny, Normandy, France 12th November 2021
Homily delivered by Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
The first Franciscan friars came to Normandy by foot in the thirteenth century, during the lifetime of their founder, St. Francis of Assisi. Over seven hundred and fifty years later, another Franciscan Friar arrived in Normandy, not by foot but by parachute. Father Ignatius Maternowski, a Franciscan priest and chaplain, came here to Amfreville, Picauville, Guetteville and Cauquigny, on the 6th of June 1944 – D-Day. Perhaps some of your own parents and grandparents welcomed him and his fellow soldiers on that fateful day, as their mission to liberate France began.
Father Ignatius shed his blood here in the soil of Normandy a few hours after he arrived. He was the only American chaplain who died on D-Day. He offered his life for you, at the age of thirty-two years, as a martyr for the cause of human rights. His death gave testimony to the Gospel passage: “Whoever loses his life [for God’s holy purposes] will save it” [cf. Luke 17:33]. Perhaps someday, the Catholic Church will declare Father Ignatius a “blessed,” and eventually a “saint.” Now, for you and for me, Father Ignatius is already regarded as a “holy” man of God, whose memory we invoke with honor, devotion, gratitude, and prayer.
Normandy has always been a place which manifests the glory of God. As the Book of Wisdom tells us – the wind, the air, the sea, the stars – all so evident in Normandy – bespeak the might and energy of our Creator God – a God of Love in whom Father Ignatius found all the inspiration and courage he needed to come here on D-Day.
This beautiful new stained-glass window in the Chapel of Cauquigny will forever remind us that heroic love is possible – love of country, love of humanity, love of God. The artist of the window, Mr. Joseph Beyer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States, has depicted Father Ignatius as a hero of love – wearing the grey habit of the Franciscan Order, and displaying the uniform of the eighty-second airborne division. Actually, Father Ignatius was a man who wore three different uniforms – each distinct: his Franciscan robes, his priestly vestments, and his soldier’s battle dress.
Father Ignatius had three distinct identities – friar, priest, and army chaplain. He died wearing the uniform of the eighty-second airborne division of the army of the United States. However, he only wore the uniform of a chaplain, because he had first been called to wear the uniform of the Franciscan Order and the vestments of the Priesthood. He wore different clothes to manifest his different identities to particular communities, but all three of these uniforms signified one common message: Father Ignatius’s Christian love for all people, and his commitment to defend the dignity of every human person.
When Father Ignatius was shot to death in Gueutteville, he wore a red cross armband to signify the Geneva conventions which were in effect since 1929, provisions designed to protect in wartime all the wounded, the dying, and the non-combatants. The eyewitness testimony of Mr. Theroude has made it clear that Father Ignatius risked his life to persuade the enemy about those principles of human rights, and to keep safe the local people of this region. Father Ignatius died to protect, not only his wounded fellow soldiers, but to safeguard all the innocent non-combatants of the area from the German reprisals. He died in defense of those principles – a martyr of love.
Even now, in a secular and pluralistic age, this Catholic, Franciscan, Army captain – a simple boy from the small town of Holyoke, Massachusetts – embodies the very highest aspirations of any branch of the human family. His commitment to the dignity of the human person was absolute. Now, because of this new stained-glass window, every person walking into Cauquigny Chapel can contemplate these truths. Every visitor can leave this chapel inspired by the conviction that love for humanity must know no limits, as evidenced by the life and death of Father Ignatius.
Permit me to conclude by acknowledging and thanking, on behalf of Father Ignatius’s Franciscan family, all of those who have made possible today’s celebration and benediction ceremony:
Father Seigneur, pastor of Sainte-Mere Eglise
Mayor of Amfreville, Madame Ginette Dongé
Mayor of Picauville, Madame Marie Hélène Perrotte
Mayor of Sainte Mere Eglise, Alain Holley
Mayor of Beuzeville la Bastille, Carles Dupont
Senator Philippe Lebas
Deputy Philippe Gosselin
Members of the US-Normandy Association ‘Remembrance and Gratitude’, especially:
Mr. Pascal Millet
Mr. Emile LaPierre
Mr. Daniel Briard
Mr. Eric Labourdette
Mr. Steve Todd
Vivian Roger and Mr. Rodolphe Roger
Colonel Kelly Carrigg
Joseph Beyer and his wife Rita
Finally, permit me to thank all of you who are here today – the people of Normandy who cherish the memory of my Franciscan brother, Father Ignatius. I can think of no more beautiful place in the world where the memory of this gentle hero-martyr should be preserved and revered. May God bless you.
In 2019, in honor of Veteran’s Day, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and our Order’s new Delegate General for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation – Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. published a reflection on the Seraphicum’s website entitled
“A Song of Hopefulness for Veterans & Members of the Armed Forces.”
Look back on his reflection, as we celebrate Veteran’s Day 2021.
Within the reflections he included this stanza from the “Navy Hymn” added in 1969/70: Creator, Father, who first breathed
In us the life that we received,
By power of thy breath restore
The ill, and men with wounds of war.
Bless those who give their healing care,
That life and laughter all may share.
There are a number of other friars of our province who are also veterans, including Br. Douglas McMillan, OFM Conv. (in residence, spiritually contributing to events and presentations at The Shrine of St. Anthony, Ellicott City, MD), Fr. Curt Kreml, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar – St. Lucie Catholic Church, Port St. Lucie, FL), Fr. Anthony Francis Spilka, OFM Conv. (Pastor – St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Johnstown, PA), Br. Dennis Sokolowski, OFM Conv. (in residence at the Our Lady of the Angels Care Center, Enfield, CT), Br. Lawrence LaFlame, OFM Conv. (Instructor – Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore, MD), and pictured here – Fr. Andy Santamauro, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar – Archdiocese of Baltimore Pastorate including St. Casimir Church and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church.
Many of our friars have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, Fr. Santo Cricchio, OFM Conv. is in the Reserves and currently provinces counseling services for the Jonesboro, GA area through an office in our pastoral ministry of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church.
Meeting Sister Death this year, on 4/6/2021, Vietnam War Veteran (where he was known as Corporal Kenneth Lucas of the US Marine Corp), +Br. Ken Lucas, OFM Conv. stayed involved in Veteran Affairs as long as he was physically able, as he stated in his Spiritual Testament posted on this site on November 5, 2019.
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province is promoting opportunities to more fully tap into a devotion from our Kolbean heritage, through the example of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., and the continued efforts of his Militia of the Immaculata’s (M.I.) unconditional Consecration to the Immaculate. In order to better promote M.I. among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., our Province MI Assistant, has completed the 31st successful and rewarding stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Friar Jobe’s revised scheduled stops on this tour will continue through February of 2022. Keep him and all those he greets in your prayers, as he continues to preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate, and to enroll in the M.I.
On Tuesday, November 9th, the M.I. Initiative made its 31st stop at the Newman Student Center Parish (UNC Chapel Hill, NC). A beautifully-prepared, sung Vespers was celebrated with students and faithful from neighboring parishes. On hand were Our Lady of the Angels Province Friars ~ Fr. Tim Kulbicki, OFM Conv. (Pastor & Campus Minister) and Fr. Bill Robinson, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar & Associate Campus Minister) who minister to the student and parishioners. Some of those who responded to our call to become new members of the M.I. are pictured above with Friar Tim (fourth from right) and Friar Jobe.
UNC Chapel Hill Newman Catholic Student Center Parish
A great vocation moment happened on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, as friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv. a Post-Novitiate student friar of our province who is in studies at The Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) was chosen by CatholicU Theology and Religious Studies as their #STRS student feature spotlight. It was not only the Feast Day of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, on November 9th, but it is also National Vocation Awareness Week.
Please continue to keep in prayer – new vocations for the Franciscan Friars Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province, friar Raad, all of our friars in formation, and their formation directors. Also please remember to pray for all of the Solemnly Professed friars of our province and our Order around the world, that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirit.
For more information on vocations and #nationalvocationawarenessweek,
email our Province Vocation Director, Br. Nick Romeo, OFM Conv. at vocations@olaprovince.org.
More on Vocations:
Kicking off National Vocations Awareness Week, Fr. Michael Martin, OFM Conv. – Director of Campus Ministry for Duke Catholic Center welcomed Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee – Vocations Director of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and our own Province Vocation Director – Br. Nick Romeo, OFM Conv. to speak at Mass on Sunday, November 7, 2021.
60th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood Anniversary Mass
Sunday, November 7, 2021
St. Paul Church, Kensington, CT
12:00pm Informal Reception
Saint Paul School Gym
A large group of Franciscan Friars Conventual, Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, St. Paul Church Parishioners, family and friends gathered on Sunday, November 7, 2021 for a special Mass in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Ordination to the Priesthood of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Raymond Borkowski, OFM Conv.
Friar Raymond has served in pastoral ministry at St. Paul Church since 2010, but his 67 years as a Franciscan Friar Conventual included years of study in the USA and Italy, followed by service in varied ministries including education, vocation, formation, pastoral and missionary sites. In the November 7th parish bulletin, Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv. (Pastor) stated: “Fr. Raymond has served the Franciscans and the Church in so many ways over the years. He often has a smile on his face and is ready to share a story or a memory that is often accompanied by one of his hearty laughs!! His Franciscan spirit is alive and well 67 years after his profession of vows.” This was a great way to begin National Vocation Awareness Week. Friar Raymond was the main celebrant for his Anniversary Mass, with several of his confreres on hand to concelebrate, including our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. who delivered the homily.
Friars in attendance: Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. Paul Church), Fr. Michael Englert, OFM Conv. (Parochial vicar of St. Paul Church), Fr. Mark Curseky, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. John Catholic Church), Fr. Piotr Tymko, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Church), Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. (Province Secretary, Director of The Shrine of St. Anthony, Spiritual Director of the Companions of St. Anthony), Br. Vincent Vivian, OFM Conv., Fr. Mitchell Sawicki, OFM Conv. (Chaplain for Our Lady of the Angels Care Center), Fr. Charles Jagodzinski, OFM Conv. and Fr. Mieczyslaw Wilk, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr).
Friar Joe reminisced about his entrance in the Order during Friar Raymond’s tenure as Vocations Director. Read More
Several members of Friar Raymond’s family were able to join in the celebration.
Friar Raymond with present Mother General of the Sisters – Mother Miriam Seiferman and Co-Founder & Former Mother General – Mother Shaun Vergauwen (seated) – and with Sister Raffaella Petrini, whom Pope Francis has recently appointed Secretary-General of Vatican City, the highest-level post ever held by a Religious Sister
Three former Vocation Directors: Fr. Vincent Gluck, OFM Conv., Friar Raymond, and Fr. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv.
As the fighting raged on D-Day and the following week around Gueutteville, Normandy, the body of our slain friar-priest-chaplain lay off limits on the hamlet’s single dirt road where he died. Local survivors with their children took refuge in this dwelling that the Germans had occupied, and where Fr. Ignatius had tried to persuade the enemy to observe the Geneva conventions which protected the civilians and the wounded troops. After the war, the hamlet’s survivors pooled their scant money to obtain and install at the site this statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary (below). Its present owner – Claude and his son – Remy (at right with Fr. James) welcomed the group to pray before the treasured statue.
