The main Marian project for this quadrennium is to visit our pastoral ministry sites and preach on the lives of three contemporary Polish saints (Pope Saint John Paul II, Saint Faustina Kowalska, OLM and St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv.) and their devotion to Mary Immaculate. The holy lives of these great saints of the twentieth century continue to bless the Catholic Church and the world. We will look at each saint’s unique “entrustment” to the Immaculate Mother of God that inevitably led to a deeper relationship with Christ and a fuller understanding of God’s will in their lives. At every stop on the tour, first-class relics of the saints will accompany us for the veneration of the faithful. More information will follow, but for now, check out the tour schedule and be sure to join our friars at a parish location nearest to you.
Our Lady of the Angels Province Marian Apostolate Three Contemporary Polish Saints and their Devotion to the Immaculate
Following the success of our province’s first annual pilgrimage, to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. back in April 2022, Our Lady of the Angels Province friars will sponsor the Second Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington D.C., on Saturday, April 29, 2023. We hope this will become an annual, fraternal gathering and celebration, looking forward to being together with you to honor the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States and our Order. Gather your family, friends or group and meet Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (pictured below) there, ready to begin the day together. Be sure to arrive well before the 11:00 a.m. WORDS OF WELCOME so you (or your group) will be able to find parking. (More info on the Basilica)
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
11.00 a.m. – WORDS OF WELCOME from the Very Rev. Michael Heine, OFM Conv., Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province and Msgr. Vito Buonanno, Director of Pilgrimages at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.
11.30 a.m. – LUNCH TIME
1.00 p.m. – CONFERENCE “Behold Your Mother” by Rev. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
2.00 p.m. – COMMUNAL PRAYER
2.30 p.m. – EUCHARISTIC LITURGY and CLOSING
3.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. – FREE TIME (There is a scheduled Vigil Mass at 4.30 p.m. The Basilica closes at 6.00 p.m.)
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During the Our Lady of the Angels 2022 Provincial Chapter, our friars elected Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. for another four-year term as Province Delegate for the Marian Apostolate. In that capacity, he hopes to continue promoting devotion to the Immaculate Conception by way of a number of initiatives.
More Province Marian Apostolate News:
~ August 19-29, 2023, the friars will again lead a pilgrimage to Marian Shrines in Europe. This year we will travel to the most important Holy Shrines in England and Scotland, including attending a performance of the renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The well-planned program promises to be an unforgettable experience. Information and Registration Flier.
~ Finally, in the Fall of 2023 and continuing for three years, Friar Jobe will be carrying out a tour of all the pastoral sites of Our Lady of the Angels Province. He will be highlighting and comparing the lives of three contemporary Polish saints in relation to the Immaculate Mother of God: St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., St. Faustina Kowalska, OLM and Pope St. John Paul II. Invoking their intercession and blessing for the tour, he will be accompanied by first-class relics of these saints. The schedule of dates for the ministry site visits will be finalized over the next few months. More information will follow.
At the July session of our 2022 Our Lady of the Angels Provincial Chapter, our friars again elected Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. for another four-year term as Province Delegate for the Marian Apostolate. In that capacity, he hopes to continue promoting devotion to the Immaculate Conception by way of a number of initiatives.
Mark Your Calendars!
Following the success of our province’s first annual pilgrimage, to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. (April 2022), Our Lady of the Angels Province friars will sponsor the Second Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington D.C., on Saturday, April 29, 2023. We hope this will become an annual, fraternal gathering and celebration, looking forward to being together with you to honor the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States and our Order. Gather your family, friends or group and meet Friar Jobe there, ready to begin the day together. Be sure to arrive well before the 11:00 a.m. WORDS OF WELCOME so you (or your group) will be able to find parking. (Info on the Basilica)
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
11.00 a.m. – WORDS OF WELCOME from the Very Rev. Michael Heine, OFM Conv., Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province and Msgr. Vito Buonanno, Director of Pilgrimages at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.
11.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. – LUNCH TIME
1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. – CONFERENCE “Behold Your Mother” (Rev. James McCurry, OFM Conv.)
2.00 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. – COMMUNAL PRAYER
2.30 p.m. – 3.30 p.m. – EUCHARISTIC LITURGY and CLOSING
3.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. – FREE TIME (There is a scheduled Vigil Mass at 4.30 p.m. The Basilica closes at 6.00 p.m.)
________________
~ August 19-29, 2023, the friars will again lead a pilgrimage to Marian Shrines in Europe. This year we will travel to the most important Holy Shrines in England and Scotland, including attending a performance of the renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The well-planned program promises to be an unforgettable experience. Information and Registration Flier.
~ Finally, in the Fall of 2023 and continuing for three years, Friar Jobe will be carrying out a tour of all the pastoral sites of Our Lady of the Angels Province. He will be highlighting and comparing the lives of three contemporary Polish saints in relation to the Immaculate Mother of God: St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., St. Faustina Kowalska, OLM and Pope St. John Paul II. Invoking their intercession and blessing for the tour, he will be accompanied by first-class relics of these saints. The schedule of dates for the ministry site visits will be finalized over the next few months. More information will follow.
Some of the friar participants: Fr. Andrzej Brzeziński, OFM Conv. (Associate Chaplain for Faith Development at CUA), Fr. Ericson de la Pena, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar at St. Adalbert Catholic Church), Fr. Albert Puliyadan, OFM Conv. (Associate Chaplain for Liturgy and Worship at CUA), the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial – Our Lady of the Angels Province), the Very Reverend Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (Provincial Delegate of our Canadian Province Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi & Province Assistant for the Marian Apostolate), the Very Reverend Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv., (Vicar Provincial & Minister Provincial Elect – Our Lady of the Angels Province), Fr. Mirosław Podymniak, OFM Conv. (Pastor – St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church).
On Saturday, April 30th, friars and faithful gathered to mark the 1st Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington DC. After a seated overview tour of the shrine and a time of communal prayer, we celebrated Mass at which Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. presided and preached an inspiring homily so characteristic of our Franciscan tradition. The pilgrimage was organized by the Province’s Marian Apostolate under the direction of Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (Provincial Delegate of our Canadian Province Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi & Province Assistant for the Marian Apostolate). Concelebrating were Friar Jobe, the Very Reverend Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. (Vicar Provincial & Minister Provincial Elect), two of our four friars serving in Washington DC in CUA’s Campus Ministry: Fr. Andrzej Brzeziński, OFM Conv. (Associate Chaplain for Faith Development at The Catholic University of America) and Fr. Albert Puliyadan, OFM Conv. (Associate Chaplain for Liturgy and Worship at The Catholic University of America), Fr. Mirosław Podymniak, OFM Conv. (Pastor – St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church), and Fr. Ericson de la Pena, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar – St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church). Special thanks go out to the friars and parishioners from St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church (Elmhurst, NY), who came as a group, such a distance to pay tribute to the Immaculate Conception, patroness of our Order and the United States. Also special thanks to Mr. Steve Baglivio, one of our parishioner participants from our Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ pastoral ministry (St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church) who took the photo below of the celebratory group, which also includes Fr. Jude DeAngelo, OFM Conv. (University Chaplain & Director of Campus Ministry – CUA) and Br. Ed Handy, OFM Conv. (Friar in Residence at St. Casimir Friary – Baltimore, MD).
Building on this very successful start, we are already happy to announce that we have booked the 2nd Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for Saturday, April 29, 2023. Please mark your schedules and plan on joining us for this province-wide initiative. All are welcome!
– Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., Province Assistant for the Marian Apostolate
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 has been extended and a few spots are still available.
Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (Pilgrimage Director – jobe.abbass@gmail.com)
Our Lady of the Angels Province – Delegate for the Marian Apostolate
We believe that Our Lady and St. Maximilian are now asking us, as a community of Franciscan Friars Conventual to sponsor the 1st Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 30, 2022. The Program for the day is below and we invite all friars, M.I. members, and all the faithful to join us in celebrating our devotion to the Immaculate Mother of God. If you are already enrolled in M.I., you should have received a letter with instruction on registration. If you are not, simply join us for the day, making your own arrangements or making them via a group from your parish or community.1st ANNUAL FRANCISCAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SPONSORED BY THE FRANCISCANS OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS PROVINCE, USA
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 PROGRAM
11.00 a.m. – WORDS OF WELCOME from the Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, ORIENTATION from Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., Provincial Assistant of the Militia of the Immaculate
11.30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – LUNCH TIME
1:00 p.m. – 1.30 p.m. – Seated Overview TOUR of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica)
1.30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – COMMUNAL PRAYER
2:00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. – EUCHARISTIC LITURGY and CLOSING
3.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. – FREE TIME (There is a scheduled Vigil Mass at 4.30 p.m. The Basilica closes at 6.00 p.m.)
THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE (1941 – August 14 – 2021)
Following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi over the last eight centuries, the Franciscans have promoted a constant devotion and veneration of Our Lady, especially under Her title of the Immaculate Conception. Indeed, that constant and filial promotion of Our Lady as the Immaculate Mother of God represents a golden thread that holds together and highlights our Franciscan tradition and charism.
In the line of great Franciscan saints, St. Maximilian Kolbe M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. would state that the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX in 1854 represented only a first victory for Our Lady. When St. Maximilian would form the Militia of the Immaculate (M.I.) in 1917, he would call upon Mary, the Immaculate Conception, to gain a lasting victory over evil in the world and to draw all souls, even those fallen away from the Church, to Christ and the source of all love, His Sacred Heart. When Pope St. John Paul II canonized St. Maximilian in 1982, he declared St. Maximilian to be a “saint for a difficult century.” In the twenty-first century, more than ever, St. Maximilian’s entrustment to the Immaculate for the conversion of all serves as a key to a better world for all of us.
That is why, over the last three years, Our Lady of the Angels Province has sponsored an M.I. Initiative to promote consecration to the Immaculate Conception and membership in the Militia of the Immaculate. In the next few months, this Initiative will make its final and 36th stop at our Franciscan parish sites and we are very happy to report that the response of the faithful has been most gratifying as we will have enrolled close to 5,000 new M.I. members.
However, we can’t stop there and we believe that Our Lady and St. Maximilian are now asking us to do something else as a community of Franciscan Friars Conventual along with those with and for whom we minister. As a result, Our Lady of the Angels Province is sponsoring the 1st Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 30, 2022. The Program for the day is below and we invite all friars, M.I. members, and all the faithful to join us in celebrating our devotion to the Immaculate Mother of God. If you are already enrolled, you will be receiving a letter with more instruction on registration. If you are not, but are a member of one of our pastoral ministries, check with your parish office to see if how your parish is participating.
Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv.
Our Lady of the Angels Province Delegate for the Marian Apostolate
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Be sure to mark your calendars for the First Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington D.C., on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
FIRST ANNUAL FRANCISCAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SPONSORED BY THE FRANCISCANS OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS PROVINCE, USA
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 PROGRAM
11.00 a.m. – WORDS OF WELCOME from the Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, ORIENTATION from Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., Provincial Assistant of the Militia of the Immaculate
11.30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – LUNCH TIME
1:00 p.m. – 1.30 p.m. – Seated Overview TOUR of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica)
1.30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – COMMUNAL PRAYER
2:00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. – EUCHARISTIC LITURGY and CLOSING
3.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. – FREE TIME (There is a scheduled Vigil Mass at 4.30 p.m. The Basilica closes at 6.00 p.m.)
The M.I. International Center therefore asks all members of the Militia around the world, in union with the whole Church, to prepare for, and participate in, the act of consecrating humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On March 25, Pope Francis will carry out the consecration during the Celebration of Penance at which he will preside at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. To prepare for this, the International Center will be offering a moment of prayer from Casa Kolbe in Rome the same day at 3:00 p.m. The event can be followed on the website https://www.facebook.com/miinternational.mi.
May our adherence to this very important act be accompanied by our penance and sincere conversion.
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province promotes 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 37 successful and rewarding stops on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Although halted by the pandemic in March 2020, Friar Jobe continued with the tour in August of 2021 and completed the last stop On Sunday, February 27, 2022, at the noon Mass, in our Chapel at The Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD. Please keep Friar Jobe and all those he has greeted throughout the May 2019 – February 2022 Militia of the Immaculata Initiative Tour in your prayers, as he continues to serves as the Province Delegate to the M.I. and the National Assistant of the Militia of the Immaculata M.I. Canada, encouraging the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate, and to enroll in the M.I.
On Sunday, February 27, 2022, the MI Initiative that began two years ago came to a conclusion at The Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City. Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial ~ the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. was the principal celebrant of the Mass and Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. gave the homily concerning St. Maximilian and consecration to the Immaculata. The Shrine’s Director/Rector ~ Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. concelebrated the Mass and Shrine Staff Friar ~ Br. Paschal Kolodziej, OFM Conv. assisted. Many who attended made their consecration and after Mass some stayed for a great photo op, including several of our student friars.
Franciscan European Marian Shrines Pilgrimage
(August 13-25, 2022)
The reservation deadline is April 12, 2022. Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (Pilgrimage Director – jobe.abbass@gmail.com) Registration Form
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province promotes 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 35th & 36th successful and rewarding stops on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Although halted by the pandemic in March 2020, Friar Jobe continued with the tour in August of 2021.
On Sunday, February 27, 2022, at the noon Mass, he will celebrate the final tour stop, in our Chapel at The Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD. Please keep Friar Jobe and all those he has greeted throughout the May 2019 – February 2022 Militia of the Immaculata Initiative Tour in your prayers, as he continues to serves as the Province Delegate to the M.I. and the National Assistant of the Militia of the Immaculata M.I. Canada, encouraging the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate, and to enroll in the M.I.
On the weekend of February 19-20, 2022 the M.I. Initiative promoting consecration to the Immaculate and membership in the Militia of the Immaculate made its 35th and 36th stops at Our Lady of Hope Parish (Coal Township, PA – pictured at right) and St. Patrick Parish (Trevorton, PA – pictured at left)served by Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Tim Geiger, OFM Conv. (pastor) and Fr. Tim Lyons, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar). These two friars also serve as parochial vicars at Mother Cabrini Catholic Church in nearby Shamokin, PA. (the 33rd Stop on the M.I Initiative Tour).
Very unusual snow squalls blew into the area just as Friar Jobe arrived from Canada. Although church attendance is still down due to COVID, the faithful in both parishes welcomed the Initiative and we added 100 new M.I. members as a result. In the photos are some of the new members along with Friar Jobe and Friar Tim G.
Our Lady of Hope Parish, Coal Township, PA
St. Patrick Parish, Trevorton, PA
Pilgrimage Opportunities:
Following the completion of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.) Initiative Tour, several of our province ministries will be participating in the First Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception,
in Washington D.C., on Saturday, April 30, 2022. READ MORE
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A pilgrimage to the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, including the Passion Play at Oberammergau, Germany, will be directed by Friar Jobe, August 13-25, 2022. Friar James McCurry, OFM Conv. will be the Spiritual Guide. The brochure containing all the information and details must be used to register and is linked here: Franciscan European Marian Shrines Pilgrimage (August 13-25, 2022).
The reservation deadline is April 12, 2022. Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (Pilgrimage Director – jobe.abbass@gmail.com)
Our Lady of the Angels Province – Delegate for the Marian Apostolate
Our Lady of the Angels Province Marian Apostolate
During the Our Lady of the Angels 2022 Provincial Chapter, our friars elected Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. for another four-year term as Province Delegate for the Marian Apostolate. In that capacity, he hopes to continue promoting devotion to the Immaculate Conception by way of a number of initiatives.
At the July session of our 2022 Our Lady of the Angels Provincial Chapter, our friars again elected Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. for another four-year term as Province Delegate for the Marian Apostolate. In that capacity, he hopes to continue promoting devotion to the Immaculate Conception by way of a number of initiatives.
On the weekend of February 19-20, 2022 the M.I. Initiative promoting consecration to the Immaculate and membership in the Militia of the Immaculate made its 35th and 36th stops at 
