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.
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
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 30th 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.
Now in the home stretch, on the weekend of October 30-31, 2021, the 30th Tour Stop of the M.I. Initiative came to the Archdiocese of Baltimore Pastorate of St. Casimir at Canton and Patterson Park, in Baltimore, MD. One of the most glorious churches of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, St. Casimir Church (sanctuary space pictured above) has not yet seen the return of the pre-pandemic crowds. Still, the faithful present at both St. Casimir and St. Elizabeth of Hungary churches welcomed the initiative promoting entrustment to the Immaculate Conception and membership in the M.I. In the photo are some of the parishioners with the pastor – Fr. Dennis Grumsey, OFM Conv. (center), associate pastor – Fr. Andy Santamauro, OFM Conv. (center right), friar in residence – Br. Ed Handy, OFM Conv. (top row center left), and Friar Jobe (center left). Also residing in the St. Casimir Friary, with Friars Dennis, Andy and Ed is Br. Dan Lutolf, OFM Conv., who serves in education ministry in a Washington Diocese High School.
In an October 21, 2021 letter from Rome, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Provincial Delegate of our Province Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi (Canada), and Provincial Delegate to the M.I., the Very Reverend Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. has been appointed National Assistant of the Militia of the Immaculata M.I. Canada, by the Minister General of our Order, the Most Reverend Fr. Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv.
Since May of 2019, Friar Jobe has been traveling throughout our province, promoting Personal Consecration to the Immaculate via our province’s M.I. Initiative Tour. On Saturday, April 30, 2022, he will lead our 1st Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
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 29th 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 October 23-24, 2021, the M.I. Initiative made its 29th stop at our province pastoral ministry of St. John Catholic Church, in Cromwell, CT. Friar Jobe was warmly received by the pastor, his Our Lady of the Angels province confrère, Fr. Mark Curesky, OFM Conv., and the parishioners joyfully responded to the invitation to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate and to become members of the M.I. In the photo above are Friars Jobe and Mark surrounded by the biggest group we have seen since resuming the M.I. Initiative despite the ongoing pandemic.
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 28th 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.
The M.I. Initiative made its 28th stop at St. Paul Catholic Parish (Kensington, CT), on the weekend of October 9-10, 2021. St. Paul Church is one of the largest Franciscan parishes of our province, with a Saturday evening Vigil Mass as well as four Sunday Masses. Together with the pastor ~ Friar Joe Benicewicz, OFM Conv. ~ Friar Michael Englert, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar), Friar Peter Timko, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar), and Friar Raymond Borkowski, OFM Conv. are all actively involved in the ministries there. During Friar Jobe’s visit, the parishioners were most open to the invitation to entrust themselves to Mary, the Immaculate Conception and many enrolled in the Militia of the Immaculate. Centered in the photo above, with Friar Jobe (left) and Friar Michael (right), who is also guardian of the St. Paul Friary, are many of the new M.I. members.
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
____________________________
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.)
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 27th 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.
Over the October 2-3, 2021 weekend, the 27th stop of the M.I. Initiative to promote Consecration to the Immaculate and membership in the M.I., took Friar Jobe to St. Anne Church, in Davidsville, PA. After a fire that destroyed the rectory and church hall at Holy Family Parish in Hooversville, PA, many of the faithful followed their pastor, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Karl Kolodziejski, OFM Conv., to join his new pastoral ministry of St. Anne Parish, where he serves as Administrator. Church attendance at this Stop was the best our Province M.I Initiative Tour has seen in these weeks of the ongoing pandemic. Many of the new M.I. members are pictured here with Friar Karl (center back) and Friar Jobe (center front).
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 26th 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.
Friar Anthony Francis and Friar Jobe are some of the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Parish; new members of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.)
The 26th stop of the M.I. Initiative Tour, to promote Marian consecration and membership in the M.I., took place over the weekend of September 25-26, 2021, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, in Johnstown, PA. The pastor, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Anthony Francis Spilka, OFM Conv. and the faithful at all three weekend Masses were keenly aware of the need for the Immaculate’s help and protection since they are not far from Shankesville and the Flight 93 National Memorial. In the above photo along with Friar Anthony Francis and Friar Jobe are some of the parishioners of St. Francis Parish and new members of the M.I.
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 25th 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 September 18-19, 2021, Friar Jacek Leszczyński, OFM Conv. – pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish (Chicopee, MA), welcomed the M.I. Initiative on its 25th stop. At the English, Spanish and Polish Masses, many parishioners made their consecration to the Immaculate and enrolled in the M.I. In the picture are new M.I. members who attended the Spanish Mass together with Friar Jacek (in green vestments) and Friar Jobe.
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.
