Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province has been progressing in our efforts to more fully tap into this 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. With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, has completed the seventh successful and rewarding stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Over the next few years, Friar Jobe will preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate and to enroll in the M.I.
The Franciscan Church at St. Bonaventure, in Toronto, ON
On the weekend of September 7-8, 2019, Our Lady of the Angels Province friars ~ Br. Tom Purcell, OFM Conv. (Friary Guardian and Executive Director of St. Clare Inn), Fr. Boniface Reinhart, OFM Conv. (Turning 92 later this month, Friar Boniface is the 2nd oldest friar of our province), Fr. Mark Steed, OFM Conv., Fr. Dennis Mason, OFM Conv. (Pastor) and Fr. Peter Knaapen, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar) welcomed Friar Jobe to our Province Canadian Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi’s St. Bonaventure Friary and The Franciscan Church at St. Bonaventure, for the seventh stop on our M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries.
The Masses were well attended and the parishioners were interested and engaged by the message of St. Maximilian to consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate so that, as instruments in her hands, all might be drawn closer to Christ and His Sacred Heart in the world. In the picture above, Friar Jobe (center in green vestments) is with many of the parishioners who decided to enroll in the M.I. as well as many others joined the photo to celebrate the September 8th Nativity of Our Blessed Mother.
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province is progressing in our efforts to more fully tap into this 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. With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, has completed the sixth stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Over the next few years, Friar Jobe will preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate and to enroll in the M.I.
Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary’s Parish, in Brooklyn, NY
On the weekend of August 24-25, 2019, Our Lady of the Angels Province friars ~ Fr. Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, OFM Conv (Friary Guardian and Pastor), Fr. Nader Ata, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar), Fr. Russell Governale, OFM Conv. (Vocations Director) and Fr. Tomaz Ryba, OFM Conv. (Friar from Krakow serving as Parochial Vicar) welcomed Friar Jobe to our Most Holy Trinity Friary and Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary’s Parish (Brooklyn, NY) for the sixth stop on our M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries.
With the help of our friars serving at the parish, our message was well received in the parish’s three languages – Spanish, Polish and English. The weekend was made all the more special since that Monday, August 26th was the Feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa (see note below). Many of the parishioners who made their personal consecration to the Immaculate, after the 12.30 p.m. Mass, are pictured above, with Friar Raphael (center right in green vestments) and Friar Jobe (center left in dark grey habit).
Note taken from the parish’s August 27, 2019 bulletin: “The devotion to Our Lady of Częstochowa centers on the icon of our Blessed Mother. Painted on wood, the icon itself depicts Mary pointing with her right hand and holding the Infant Jesus in her left; technically, this depiction of the Blessed Mother is identified in iconography as Hodegetria. As in other icons, Jesus looks like a small man held by his Mother, an imagery that reminds the faithful that Jesus is fully mature in His divine nature. Over time, due to exposure to devotional candles, the image has darkened, and consequently, Our Lady of Częstochowa is also known as the “Black Madonna.” As to its origins, tradition holds that St. Luke painted the icon on a wooden table top made by St. Joseph, which Mary had kept when she moved to Ephesus and lived under the care of St. John the Apostle. Remember St. Luke included in his Gospel details of the annunciation, visitation, Christmas, the presentation in the Temple and the finding in the Temple, which were not included in the other Gospels and which he must have learned from Mary herself. St. Helena is credited with finding the icon.”
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province is progressing in our efforts to more fully tap into this 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. With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, has completed the fifth stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Over the next few years, Friar Jobe will 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 August 17-18, 2019, Our Lady of the Angels Province friars ~ Fr. Miroslaw “Mirek” Podymniak, OFM Conv (Friary Guardian and Pastor), Fr. Herman Czaster, OFM Conv. and Fr. Stanisław Czerwonka, OFM Conv. (Friar from Krakow serving as Parochial Vicar) welcomed Friar Jobe to our St. Adalbert Friary and St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church (Elmhurst, NY) for the fifth stop on our M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries.
All four Sunday liturgies were well attended and the parishioners warmly received the invitation to make their personal consecration and join the M.I. In the photo are Fr. Jobe (green vestments) and Fr. Mirek (standing behind in habit) together with some of the faithful at the 11.30 Mass who made their consecration. On the weekend of August 24-25, 2019, our M.I. Initiative Tour moves to Most Holy Trinity Parish in Brooklyn, NY.
Friar Lucjan was arrested by the Soviets around the time St. Maximilian Kolbe was arrested by the Germans. He professed his Simple Vows three days before the war broke out in Poland, in the presence of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province is progressing in our efforts to more fully tap into this 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. With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, has completed the third and fourth stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Over the next few years, Friar Jobe will 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 July 13-14, 2019, Our Lady of the Angels Province friars ~ Fr. Michael Lorentsen, OFM Conv (pastor), Br. Jim Moore, OFM Conv. (Friary Guardian & Senior Friars Director, Rev. Antone Kandrac, OFM Conv. and Br. Stephen Merrigan, OFM Conv. ~ welcomed Friar Jobe to our St. Catharine of Siena Friary and St. Junipero Serra Parish (Seaside Park/Seaside Heights, NJ) for the third and fourth stop – shared weekend – on our M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. St. Junipero Serra Parish is one parish with two worship sites: St. Catharine of Siena Church (50 E Street, Seaside Park, NJ – at left) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (100 Grant Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ – at top)
Some of the parishioners from St. Junipero Serra Parish at the St. Catharine of Siena Church worship site in Seaside Park, NJ, who made their consecration that day.
As expected, great crowds attended the Masses at both worship sites. The M.I. Initiative and the consecratory prayer cards together with the miraculous medal were so well received that Friar Jobe ran out of envelopes after the second Mass. During the recent Jubilee Celebration at our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD), Friar Michael stocked up on another 250 envelopes and distributed them during the celebration of the August 15 2019 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a highlight of the season at the Jersey Shore.
Celebration of the August 15 2019 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province is progressing in our efforts to more fully tap into this 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. With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, has completed the second stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Over the next few years, Friar Jobe will preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate and to enroll in the M.I.
Friar Jobe (top center) some of the parishioners from St. Peter’s Church to have already made their consecration that day. Joining them in the lower photo are Friar Brennan-Joseph (back row – 5th man from right) and Friar Marek (seated in front)
On the weekend of July 6-7, 2019, Our Lady of the Angels Province friars ~ Fr. Pedro de Oliveira, OFM Conv, Fr. Richard Rossell, OFM Conv., Fr. Brennan-Joseph Farleo, OFM Conv. and Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. ~ welcomed Friar Jobe to St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, (Point Pleasant, NJ) for the second stop on our M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries.
St. Peter Roman Catholic Church (Point Pleasant, New Jersey)
Although actually Stop #2 on the tour, this first USA stop of the M.I. Initiative Tour was very successful with over 900 faithful attending the weekend Masses at St. Peter’s. In addition to those pictured, many more took home the information to prayerfully prepare, so they can later enroll with Friar Jobe. Next weekend, July 13-14, 2019, large crowds are also expected at St. Junipero Serra Parish (Seaside Park/Seaside Heights, NJ)
Our Athol Springs, NY high school ministry of St. Francis High School (SFHS), in conjunction with a few Buffalo – South Town parishes, will host “Maximilian: Saint of Auschwitz,” on Thursday, August 15, 2019 (the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary). Admission will be free.
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and president of SFHS, Fr. Michael Sajda, OFM Conv. was approached by Fr. Bill Quinlivan (pastor of St. Martin of Tours and St. Thomas Aquinas) to see if SFHS would be available to be one of the sites for this production.
The Diocese of Buffalo is supportive and will provide some of the funding needed to put on the production. SFHS has also procured an additional sponsor.
July 17, 2019 Announcement from the Diocese of Buffalo:
From August 14, his feast day, through the 17 in four different locations comes a one-man play about the life of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Premiered at the 1993 World Youth Day in Denver, the play continues to be performed to this day. It was signed by Francis Gajowniczek – the very man for whom Fr. Maximilian offered his life in Auschwitz! “Saint Maximilian Kolbe has a powerful, yet cautionary, message for all of us – not to take the freedoms we cherish for granted, but rather to defend them with our lives.” All Performances are free, but there will be a free will offering: Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. at Canisius College’s Marie Maday Theater Thursday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Francis High School’s Ormsby Theater Alumni Hall Friday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church Saturday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m. ta Niagara University’s Leary Theater
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province plans to more fully tap into this 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. With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, has begun an M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Over the next few years, Friar Jobe will preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate and to enroll in the M.I. So far, Friar Jobe and our friars serving as pastors have mapped out a partial schedule through January 2020.
On the weekend of May 11-12, 2019, Fr. Sebastian Karamvelil, OFM Conv. welcomed Friar Jobe toSt. Ignatius Martyr Parish, (Ottawa, Ontario) for the first stop on our M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Mother’s Day weekend was made all the more special by honoring Our Blessed Mother, in this way. The response of the faithful at the Masses was excellent and many more have promised to entrust themselves to Mary in the days and weeks to come. Pictured above is a sampling of the parishioners who have already made a Personal Consecration to the Immaculate.
Prayer of Consecration to the Immaculata
…composed by Saint Maximillian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you.
Although established in 1917, the Militia of the Immaculata was granted the first verbal blessing by Pope Benedict XV, on March 28, 1919. The official recognition of the Church occurred on January 2, 1922, granted by Cardinal Basilio Pompilj, Vicar of the Diocese of Rome: “With fervent desire that devotion to the Blessed Virgin may extend everywhere, with our authority we establish canonically the pious association commonly called ‘the Pious Union of the Militia of Mary Immaculate’ in the chapel of the Seraphic College of the Friars Minor Conventual in Rome and approve what was established.” On the 80th Anniversary of the founding of MI, the Pontifical Council for the Laity recognized the MI as a Public Association of the Faithful, universal and international, in accordance with the Code of Canon Law, and approved, at the same time, its General Statutes.
Militia of the Immaculata & Our Lady of the Angels Province With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, plans to visit all of our pastoral ministries, over the next few years. In working with our Director of Mission Advancement, new prayer cards and MI enrollment forms are being created. Friar Jobe will be preaching at the Masses in the parishes to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate and to enroll in the M.I. At those Masses, the congregation will be given an envelope with the consecratory prayers card and a miraculous medal. On the envelope those who wish to enroll will have to opportunity to fill out the information and apply to enroll in the M.I. Enrollment Certificates will be issued from our offices in Rensselaer, NY.
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Order’s Constitutions remind our friars that in St. Maximilian’s unconditional consecration to the Immaculate, we have found “a concrete form of openness to the new challenges of mission.” Our province plans to more fully tap into this devotion from our Kolbean heritage. Friar Jobe and our friars serving as pastors have mapped out a schedule through February 2022, to preach at the Masses to promote the consecration and enrollment in the Militia of the Immaculata.
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M.I. INITIATIVE SCHEDULE THROUGH February 2022 Personal Consecration to the Immaculate
Sr. Régine Canetti, NDS and Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. at the graveside of Fr. Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne
During my study here at Tantur Ecumenical Institute, Jerusalem, I took advantage of a free day to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Fr. Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne. Born to a Jewish family of bankers in 1814, Ratisbonne was highly critical of the Catholic faith and Marian apparitions. However, on January 20, 1842, when Ratisbonne visited the Basilica of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte in Rome, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him and he was immediately converted. St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. always marveled at Ratisbonne’s conversion and he celebrated his first Mass (April 29, 1918) at the “Altar of the Miracle” where Mary had appeared to Ratisbonne. Because the City of Jerusalem figured prominently in the apparition, Ratisbonne, who became a priest and missionary, headed to the Holy Land where he founded the Congrégation Notre Dame de Sion (the Sisters of Our Lady of Zion).Fr. Ratisbonne remained in the Holy Land until his death in 1884 and is buried in the cemetery of the sisters’ convent in Ein Karem. On the day I made my pilgrimage, I was met by one of the sisters, Sr. Régine Canetti, NDS. Born in Bulgaria (May 16, 1921) of Jewish parents, the family subsequently escaped the Shoah and, although Sr. Régine lost her mother and brother when their ship sank, she eventually made it to Israel, became Catholic and entered the Sisters of Zion. A remarkable woman, Sr. Régine’s inspiring life’s story made my pilgrimage to Fr. Ratisbonne’s tomb and Ein Karem truly unforgettable.
~ Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (M.I. Assistant for Our Lady of the Angels Province)
On the weekend of May 11-12, 2019, Fr. Sebastian Karamvelil, OFM Conv. welcomed Friar Jobe to 
With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, 
