Br. Mike Ward, OFM, didn’t grasp the power of pilgrimage until its meaning struck him with surprising force, right in the timeworn Portiuncula, outside Assisi, France.  

As he stood for the first time in the little chapel where the Franciscan Order was born, a fellow pilgrim and priest turned to him, delivering the heartfelt message that would forever transform his journey and sense of belonging: “Welcome home.” 

Br. Mike, an otherwise stoic man, was moved to tears. 

“It triggered my sense of who I was as a person and a Franciscan,” he said. “You can’t experience a place from watching a DVD. And it wouldn’t be the same if I were there alone.” 

As 2026 unfolds, those yearning to deepen their spirituality and embrace fresh resolutions might consider embarking on a pilgrimage of their own.  

More than simply traveling to hallowed destinations, a pilgrimage fuses purpose with place, blending contemplation and community. A Franciscan pilgrimage is a window for reflection, a journey with others who share the Franciscan spirit, regardless of their background. 

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More than a trip for tourists 

Br. John Cella, OFM, directs Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs, a sponsored ministry of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He, Br. Mike, and Sr. Nancy Celaschi, OSF, are among those who manage scheduling, activities, lodging and transportation for pilgrims.  

These trips focus on Franciscan spirituality and are not intended as general tours, he said. Gathering T-shirts and trinkets is not what a Franciscan pilgrimage is all about. 

Nor do these trips focus on Italy’s architectural wonders or contemporary pop culture. Rather, you’ll visit important locations connected to Saints Clare and Francis, offering opportunities for spiritual growth and a richer understanding of Franciscan heritage and spirituality. 

And therein lies an opportunity to make the historic and sacred also personal.  

Pilgrims see sites like the Cathedral of San Rufino, where Clare and Francis were baptized. They are emboldened to reflect on their own baptisms and consider how it might have been for Francis. Both saints and pilgrims share this common beginning. At other points, guides inquire about pilgrims’ spiritual origins, as they explore the physical beginnings of prominent Franciscans historically. 

“I’m not big on just going to see a bunch of things,” Br. John said. “I want to know what is important to them, and how it can be important to us in our own era. Everyone wants to make it their own. Br. Mike knows the spirituality of space. Mine is the spirituality of people. We got to meet the people of Assisi, whose ancestors were there when Francis was there. 

“Buildings are just buildings. It's the people who make up what is important.” 

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A return to the Holy Land 

In addition to pilgrimages to Italy, Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs also provides trips to Spain and Ireland. Pilgrimages to the Holy Land are expected to resume in 2026, after a pause due to safety concerns in Gaza. These journeys also have significant ties to Franciscan spirituality.  

Each pilgrimage is led by a member of the Franciscan family – friars, Poor Clares, sisters, Secular Franciscans, deacons, laypeople, married and single people. 

“When we come together, we have Franciscan charism,” said Br. John. “It’s a collaborative effort, and we’re proud of that.” 

Typically, 20 to 30 participants each gather for about 40 pilgrimages annually. (One group was only 10 last year, another, 70).  

Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs works with individuals as well as organizations who want to introduce their constituents to the Franciscan charism. They have led pilgrimages for everyone from high school and college students to veterans. 

“We want each pilgrimage to be an immersive experience, something that touches their hearts and souls,” said Br. John, who notes the organization sees increased participation annually. “We want to maintain the simplicity of Francis and Clare.” 

For more information or to schedule a pilgrimage of your own, visit FranciscanPilgrimages.com. 

In a spirit of trust and deep listening, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe entered 2025, the Jubilee Year of Hope, by gathering with other members of the Franciscan family in Kansas City for the culmination of the Franciscan Provincial Synod. 

Guided by prayerful conversation and meaningful dialogue through fraternal and regional meetings, participants presented eight priorities to the Provincial Council for approval and adoption. This report proclaimed a bold invitation to all Franciscans – friars, sisters, Secular Franciscans and others – to embrace their roles as missionary disciples in today’s world. 

Standing for justice and peace 

Shortly after the synod ended, the friars acted on the synod’s challenge to respond to the Gospel’s call to care for the needs of the poor, marginalized, vulnerable persons, and our common home. 

In response to changes to U.S. Immigration Law and Policy and to the mass deportations happening across the country, the Provincial Council released a statement in January calling for a just and compassionate approach to immigration policy and held a Day of Fasting and Prayer for Migrants in February. 

Friars put themselves in migrants’ shoes as they bore witness to the dead and missing along the U.S.-Mexico border during the annual Migrant Trail Walk in May. Communities in Silver Spring, Durham, and New York City extended assistance by offering essential services and legal assistance, and by leading prayer services in solidarity with immigrants.  

During the Jubilees of the Mission and Migrants in October, Pope Leo XIV thanked friars who accompany immigrants for their ministry, saying “You have a very great task in your hands, to accompany people who truly, deeply need a sign that God never abandons anyone: the least, the poorest, the stranger, everyone." 

In Western New York, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the bond of friendship with its neighbors in the Seneca Nation, St. Bonaventure University unveiled a land acknowledgment that recognizes “the stewards of the land” upon which the school was built almost 170 years ago.  

Youth participation inspires friars 

The synod also called on the Franciscans to recommit themselves to listening to and accompanying young adults. To strengthen their commitment to engaging young people, the province created an Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and hired its first director last fall. 

Over the summer, three friars began a new ministry that engages young adults in creative ways in Charlotte, North Carolina. In October, the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe was a co-sponsor of the third annual Justice Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., which teaches young adults compassionate, nonviolent approaches to conflict and provides hands-on advocacy training to amplify a message of justice and peace. 

Friars also attended the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, where they were inspired by the faith of the more than 16,000 young people in attendance. 

Friars go global for care of creation 

In 2025, Franciscans worldwide marked the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures – the poem celebrating the divinity in all creation written by St. Francis of Assisi shortly before his death – and Laudato Si’, the papal encyclical inspired by the Canticle that calls us to live out our faith by caring for the natural environment and the poor. 

Franciscan scholar Br. William Short, OFM, released a presentation on the Canticle and Integral Ecology that dives into Laudato Si’s Franciscan roots. Friars from the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe joined world leaders at COP30 in Brazil in November to advocate for policies that will protect vulnerable communities, restore ecological balance and uphold the dignity of all creation. Closer to home, friars from Mt. Irenaeus and St. Bonaventure University students planted 10 trees as part of ongoing efforts to restore the American Chestnut in Western New York. 

Siena University presented UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres with an honorary degree for “his tireless efforts to promote values central to the Franciscan charism – respect for human dignity and human rights, promotion of dialogue and peace, and care for creation – values that align with the mission and vision of Siena University.” 

Offering a ministry of presence in challenging times 

When catastrophes struck their communities, friars were there to help. 

The friars wielded snow shovels and good humor after Winter Storm Blair blew across the U.S. in January. When tornadoes and flooding hit St. Louis, St. Anthony Food Pantry brought a deluge of support to the community. 

In October, Hurricane Melissa delivered a devastating amount of wind and rain to Jamaica. As soon as the storm departed, the friars assessed local needs and established partnerships with organizations like World Central Kitchen to deliver food and other necessities. 

Celebrations, formation and vocations 

Over 100 friars gathered in Albuquerque in August to celebrate five solemn professions and three ordinations. The province embraced new postulants and a sixth friar who professed solemn vows during St. Anthony's feast month. 

Nationwide, discerners were warmly welcomed to Come and See weekends and discernment retreats that built connections and inspired attendees and friars alike. 

On June 27, St. Peter in the Loop Parish in downtown Chicago celebrated its 150th anniversary with a Mass led by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo and parish leaders, including Br. Michael Fowler and Br. Bob Hutmacher, with Deacon Br. Raphael Ozoude. 

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Collaboration and partnerships 

Catholics prayed for Pope Francis during his hospitalization with double pneumonia. They learned of the beatification of the Georgia Martyrs, including Pedro de Corpa, OFM, and four companions. As Lent began on March 5, friars offered weekly gospel reflections on the season from a Franciscan perspective, offering a tool for those yearning for a deeper understanding of their faith.  

Pope Francis passed away on April 21, sparking global reflection on his ministry and legacy. The College of Cardinals elected Robert Francis Provost as Pope Leo XIV. Friars in the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrated, with Provincial Minister Br. Larry Hayes, OFM, offering congratulations and wishing him blessings and strong pastoral leadership. 

Franciscans foster optimism after the Jubilee Year of Hope, aiming to support people who are facing challenges through advocacy, ministry and prayer. 

As Br. Murray Bodo, OFM, so fittingly wrote in “Hope – Much More than a Franciscan Word” - his contribution to the friars’ Wisdom in a Time of Crisis, St. Francis calls us to become “new kinds of fools in the world, wisdom figures who emerge strangely sane and full of hope as they open their arms to those who would join them in the mad dance of love--even in the midst of war, climate change, energy problems, epidemics, the migratory phenomenon, and technological innovation, all erupting simultaneously.  

“God now asks us to open our arms and ‘work mercy’ with one another and with those who would join us on our mad pilgrimage here on earth.” 

Fr. John Kapitan, OFM, 74, passed away on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at Mt. Macrina Nursing Home in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, following complications from esophageal cancer. After 11 years in the U.S. Army, he joined the Order of Friars Minor at age 38. For 30 years, he ministered to Byzantine Catholics in churches across California, Indiana and Ohio.   

Visitation for Fr. John Kapitan, OFM, will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the Parastas at 6:30 p.m., at Mt. St. Macrina Monastery Chapel, 500 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will take place in the Monastery Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, followed by interment at Mt. Macrina Cemetery.   

Fr. John was born on Sept. 17, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio, to John and Mary (née Krych) Kapitan and graduated from Midpark Senior High School, Middleburgh Heights, Ohio, in 1969. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and Biological Sciences in 1973 from Kent State University in Ohio and a master’s degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, in 1979. He served in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps from 1973 to 1984, retiring as a Major.  

Fr. John was received into the Order of Friars Minor on Aug. 31, 1989, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He made his simple profession on Aug. 18, 1990, and solemn profession on Aug. 20, 1993, both at Holy Dormition Monastery in Sybertsville, Pennsylvania. He received his theology degree from Washington Theological Union and was ordained a priest in Sybertsville on June 11, 1995.  

From 1996 to 1998, Fr. John was administrator of St. Philip the Apostle Byzantine Catholic Church in Sacramento, California. He assumed the same role for St. Athanasius Byzantine Catholic Church in Indianapolis from 1998 to 2004, where he oversaw major repairs to the church building and rectory.   

He was pastor of St. Barbara the Martyr Byzantine Catholic Parish in Dayton, Ohio, from 2004 to 2011, when he moved to Toronto, Ohio, to become pastor of St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Parish. He retired in September 2025, residing in the rectory of St. Stephen Parish in Leisenring, Pennsylvania.  

Fr. John is survived by his friar brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

Six men discerning their call to Franciscan life traveled from Wisconsin, Texas, Ohio, California and Washington to St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Florida, the weekend of Dec. 12 to 14 for a Candidate Invitation Weekend. The purpose of such a weekend is to extend a formal application form to the discerners the vocation directors believe are ready to apply to the Order of Friars Minor. 

On Friday night, after vocations director Br. Greg Plata, OFM, gave the opening prayer and discerners did preliminary introductions, Brothers Dan Kenna, OFM, and Jason Damon, OFM, shared their stories, including the highlights and joys of Franciscan life.  

On Saturday morning, Br. Greg spoke about the three vows the friars take – poverty, chastity and obedience – and how they enrich our lives as friars in showing a radical witness to Christ and his love of all people.  

Later, Brothers Greg, Dan, Jason, John Hogan, OFM, Henri Djojo, OFM, and Basil Valente, OFM, interviewed each candidate on topics such as their family and educational background as well as their spiritual journey. The friars gathered later that afternoon to discuss the strengths and possible challenges of each man, concluding that all six were ready to receive a formal invitation to apply to our province.  

“What I saw were friars from many different backgrounds and of many different ages, who had grown in their trust of the Holy Spirit and whose vows tied them to Christ and to one another,” commented one discerner. “I saw a real joy that inspired me, and which has made me want to grow closer to the friars and the Franciscan charism.” 

Later that afternoon, after joining Br. Jason for a walking tour of the area, the discerners headed to Sacred Heart Parish in downtown Tampa to celebrate the parish vigil Mass and join Brothers Stephen Kluge, OFM, Michael Jones, OFM, and Zachary Elliott, OFM, for a pizza dinner. The brothers shared their experience as friars serving in an active parish along with the support each received living in fraternity. 

“It was humbling to meet a group of individuals who work together effectively to serve the parish,” said one discerner. “I was able to see that this is a commitment that encompasses your entire life; it's not a job, because it ultimately means giving your whole being to Christ.” 

After morning prayer on Sunday, each candidate was thanked for coming to the weekend – and then given their application packet. Br. Greg explained the process and assured the candidates that the province’s vocations staff, Jorge and Will, would support them as they completed their application. 

As they were preparing to depart, one discerner said, “I was so happy to receive my application packet. Every opportunity to continue this discernment process has been such a blessing, and I am eager to continue seeking the vocation that God has placed on my heart.” 

There are several upcoming vocations events planned, including another Candidate Invitation Weekend in Santa Barbara, California, from Jan. 16 to 18, followed by a Come and See Weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio, the weekend of Jan. 23 to 25. 

Are you interested in becoming a Franciscan friar? Contact our Franciscan Vocations Ministry to speak with a member of our vocations team. 

Fr. Richard Bendorf, OFM, 82, passed away on the morning of Dec. 16, 2025, in San Antonio. In 44 years as a Franciscan friar, he served in the U.S. military and as a hospital and an Army chaplain who flew more than 100 missions in the field, anointing and administering last rights to dying soldiers in Afghanistan. Known affectionately on base as the “Fryin’ Friar,” he shared his talents and love of cooking with others in his ministerial life. 

Born July 9, 1943, in Highland (Springfield), Illinois, to Richard and Elizabeth (née Tragesser), Fr. Richard served in the United States Air Force in the 1960s and joined the Order of Friars Minor on June 22, 1981, at age 37, in St. Bonaventure, New York. He made his simple profession in Oak Brook, Illinois, on Aug. 11, 1982, and took his solemn vows on Oct. 12, 1985, in Chicago. He was ordained as a priest on June 6, 1987, in Chicago. 

He attended Catholic Theological Union (1986 to 1987), then spent a year as parochial vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Louis. In 1988, he served at Il Ritiro Franciscan Retreat Center in Dittmer, Missouri, and began working as an associate campus minister at Quincy College (now Quincy University). From 1989 to 1990, he was a hospital chaplain at St. Thomas in Memphis.  

Fr. Richard served in the United States Army from 1989 to 1996, then returned to Quincy University until 1998 while also acting as pastor of St. Anthony and St. Joseph parishes. He pursued graduate studies in social work at St. Louis University from 1998 to 2000. He began serving as an Army chaplain at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in 2000, then worked in South Korea (2003 to 2005), Hawaii (2005 to 2007), and returned to Georgia (2007 to 2010). After retiring in 2015, he moved to Mission San Jose in San Antonio, where he helped in the supply ministry and led interactive marriage workshops while residing at Blue Skies of Texas at Air Force Village. He assisted with weekday Mass, performed some anointings and officiated several weddings for Blue Skies residents. 

Fr. Richard developed a lifelong passion for cooking, inspired by his grandmother, who was a skilled baker and head cook at the local school system. He even considered writing a cookbook filled with his favorite recipes. In a 2004 interview with Stars and Stripes, he mentioned that while he often uses recipes as guidelines, he enjoys making them his own or inventing new dishes entirely. Fr. Richard was especially fond of French cuisine, followed by German, Mexican and Italian food. 

Fr. Richard balanced the demanding nature of chaplaincy by turning to cooking, which he considered his form of “therapy.” Holding a master’s degree in social work, he provided counseling for military community members. As he explained to Stars and Stripes, “I’m a therapist for others, so cooking serves as my therapy.” On base, he frequently hosted small dinners with groups of people. 

Fr. Richard is survived by brothers Allan and Robert and their wives; a niece (goddaughter), Sarah; nephews, Adam and Daniel; dozens of first cousins; and his fellow friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

On a starry night in the little town of Greccio, Italy, 1223, a crowd gathers in a cave at the invitation of St. Francis of Assisi.

What they witness that night will change everything...

Thank you for journeying with us through this Franciscan Advent series. We hope these reflections have helped you pause, pray and deepen your sense of God’s presence during this sacred season. We wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Image by Jorge Martins of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Fr. James Vacco, OFM, 70, passed away on Friday, Dec. 19, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friary in Pulaski, Wisconsin. A cherished teacher, compassionate pastor and dedicated counselor, he devoted 48 years to the Franciscan order and 43 years to the priesthood, leaving a lasting impression by meeting people of every generation with warmth and genuine connection wherever they happened to be.

Fr. James entered the Order of Friars Minor in Brookline, Massachusetts, on June 23, 1977, and made his first profession there the following year, on June 10, 1978. His initial role was providing summer assistance in Croghan, New York, in 1978. In 1979, while at St. Patrick's in Buffalo, New York, he spent a year training as a chaplain student at Erie City Medical (CPE). Afterwards, he began an internship as an alcohol rehabilitation counselor at St. Joseph Addiction Treatment and Recovery Center in Saranac Lake, New York. He took his solemn vows in New York City on June 20, 1981, and was ordained as a priest in Silver Spring, Maryland, on May 16, 1982, during which time he began his service in Croghan first as a deacon intern and then as an associate pastor. He described his time in his native New York as his first love.   

He later moved to Buffalo to join the faculty at Bishop Timon High School until 1985. The next seven years, he served as parochial vicar at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Buffalo, New York, and later spent three years as guardian and pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace in West Milford, New Jersey. From 1995-2022, his ministry touched many lives across Western New York while serving the people of God in a variety of roles: chaplain at the Newman Center at SUNY Fredonia, campus minister and adjunct professor at St. Bonaventure University, and temporary administrator for St. Philomena Parish in Franklinville and St. John Parish in Olean. At St. Bonaventure Church (“Little Bonas”), where he served as pastor 2011-2022 in Allegany, his energy and dedication earned deep respect, while his leadership extended as regional vocation assistant and vicar forane of the Southern Cattaraugus Vicariate.  

Beyond titles and duties, Fr. James felt drawn to the road less traveled, forsaking busy highways for scenic back roads – one of the many reasons he loved the picturesque and enchanting routes of upstate New York to the rustic roads of Wisconsin. He was likely to print directions to take the long way for anyone traveling in a caravan with him. It was his way of opening eyes, especially for the postulants in his charge, to a unique view of God’s creation and communities often overlooked.    

In 2022, Fr. James assumed a significant role in the U.S. 6 interprovincial postulancy program at Holy Name College in Silver Spring. His influence will be felt for years to come, for fostering the religious lives of many men, both now within and outside the Order, who respected and admired him. He welcomed each postulant with open arms, nurturing an environment of acceptance and understanding during their earliest steps of formation. With a thoughtful blend of wisdom and warmth, Fr. James served as both a trusted mentor and a confidant. To many, he became a leader whose approachable nature made them feel at ease, especially as they navigated the joys and challenges of their spiritual journeys and shared in his deep love of God.   

In 2024, Fr. James opened a new chapter as pastor at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Pulaski. This return to rural life echoed the beginnings of his Franciscan journey in Croghan, bringing his vocation full circle. For Fr. James and those whose lives he touched in small communities, this transition felt natural and meaningful. He stood among the first friars to broaden his horizons beyond his legacy province, welcoming the call to a united, nationwide brotherhood. In this role, he thrived, infusing every moment with his signature enthusiasm and the welcoming spirit that defined his ministry. He trusted paper printouts over digital screens and blended his style with the needs of the parishes he served. In his colleagues, he had a keen eye for recognizing strengths and talents so he could help them flourish in their faith.   

Fr. James enjoyed photographing nature and found freedom with the Franciscans, as mentioned in a 2015 Daybreak TV Productions video.    

“Our common sense of fraternity is to live as a fraternity, working in the world, proclaiming the Gospel in the simple vision of Francis,” he said. “It’s a deep appreciation of the presence of God in all creation. I look at creation, my dealings with people – even my difficult dealings with people – and I say, ‘may I praise and bless you, oh Lord, and give you thanks, and serve you with great humility.    

“Sometimes we feel we must weigh things down with words. But before our words are believable, our presence must be authentic.”    

Fr. James is survived by his brother Vincent Vacco, and sister-in-law Louise Vacco, their children, family and friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

These final days of Advent invite us to linger in the mystery of God-With-Us. 

What does it mean that God chose to dwell here—with us? 

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“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means God is with us. (Isaiah 7:14 / Matthew 1:23)

This is a daring claim about who we are and how God sees us. 

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Emmanuel reveals God drawing unimaginably close out of love. Close enough to share our humanity. Close enough to reveal our worth. 

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“Consider, O human being, 
the wondrous state in which the Lord God has placed you, for He created you and formed you in the image of His beloved Son.” (St. Francis, Admonitions) 

Francis invites us to let news of Emmanuel and the Incarnation sink in personally. 

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Dare to recognize that your life, 
with all its fragility and longing, Is worth God’s loving nearness. 

In Christ, we discover our wondrous dignity 
And nothing makes sense apart from Him. 

In Christ, we discover our wondrous dignity 
that was worth embracing and redeeming. 

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“…you also are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:6) 

Reared in the modest steel town of Shelby, Ohio, Br. John Friebel, OFM, 85, never found inspiration in the pursuit of academic accolades or the confines of scholarly halls.   

Rather, his spirit soared beneath the vast skies of his native Ohio and the desert southwest, where he discovered his deepest connection to God in hands-on work and the simple beauty of practical labor.  

'That was me’ 

Br. John chose to become a Franciscan friar because he yearned for a life grounded in service and faith. When he first inquired about a Franciscan vocation, the person who reviewed his application noted concerns over his academics and lack of language studies but also provided a pamphlet for the Hands for Christ program for those inclined toward physical work.  

“When I read that, that was me,” he said.  

He began a nine-month Latin course at Duns Scotus in Boston, but after three hard months, Br. John quit to enroll in the Brothers’ School of the legacy St. John the Baptist Province in Oldenburg, Indiana. He was received into the Order of Friars Minor on Feb. 14, 1963, saying, “I'm a little Valentine to the Order.” Attending the Brothers School satisfied his desire to work with his hands for the glory of God.  

Serving in the Navajo Nation  

Br. John effortlessly recalls details of his masonry work in Arizona and New Mexico, including plans and locations. For years, he built church structures with enthusiasm, following the model of Francis, who heeded God’s call to construct and restore buildings needed for His work, and later for service for men serving in the Order of Friars Minor that Francis would establish. 

Br. John spent 54 years working on projects in the Navajo Nation, including a gymnasium, parish halls and churches, each with its own challenges and successes, all based out of historic St. Michael’s Mission near Window Rock, Arizona.  

In the 1970s, Tuba City, Arizona, a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from St. Michael’s Mission, served as a vital community hub for the Navajo people and the friars who served in the region. With St. Michael’s Mission as home base, Br. John worked with eight friars, applying his masonry skills to sites in a broad region of Arizona and New Mexico.   

“It was a delightful experience,” he said. “I got to lay all the blocks.”  

In Shiprock, New Mexico, Br. John helped construct Christ the King Church with a team of friars and volunteers, laying its foundation. The friary, built to house three friars, features a basement with a dining room, kitchen and recreation room.  

The project taught Br. John and his team an enduring lesson.  

A ‘little faulty building’  

The friars unknowingly placed the church on unstable fill from a power plant. After 30 years, it started to sink, so the pastor had it demolished.  

“That was a little faulty building that we built in ‘73,” Br. John can say with some humor today. “They have a double-wide (trailer) there now.”  

Br. John lived 23 years at St. Michael Friary, working with a Navajo man on construction projects, from new buildings to reconstruction and maintenance, including installing showers and extra space to accommodate more people in structures, most of which are still in use today.  

Br. John satisfied his love of working the land in other ways, too. He grew crops on an acre at St. Michael’s Mission and shared them with his community. He also took up beekeeping and fondly remembers sharing honey and produce.  

“The garden would produce many things,” he said. “I would freeze up, can up, share, give away, much of the produce. One year, I made 160 gallons of dill pickles. And a fair amount of sauerkraut, about a 30-gallon container, and honey. That was part of my handiwork.”  

‘I loved working with my hands’  

Br. John was the final friar to leave St. Michael’s Mission and its stone-built friary on June 11, 2023, and although it was difficult, he remained grateful for his experiences and work with his brothers there. 

 “That’s me: Hands for Christ,” he says, working invisible soil. “As I tell people today, if I had to do it over again today, I would do it the same way as before. Why did the Lord choose me? I don’t know. But I loved working with my hands.”  

Though Br. John did not always see it as he worked, he felt connected to Francis’s summons to rebuild the Church.  

“I’m not a deep ponderer, who afterward could contemplate what I’d done. No,” Br. John said. “Now that I am an old man and sit in my room, many hours a day, praying, thanking, that enters the picture much today. I was blessed to have these things,” he says as he wiggles his fingers in the air again, “to do what I could do for the Lord and the expansion of His Church with the Navajo people.”  

What if 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide had a full understanding of the power and effectiveness of active nonviolence and the connection of nonviolence to the heart of the Gospel? What if we all knew how to apply nonviolent tools to defuse conflict before it became violent?  

These days we know too well the violence and deep suffering close to home and around the world, from war and gun violence to rhetorical violence and physical attacks on our immigrant friends and our neighbors who are hungry, unemployed, or unhoused.  

At the same time, the desire to move from a paradigm of violence to a paradigm of nonviolence is increasingly evident. Seven million people gathered at 2,700 events in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on October 18 for a second No Kings Day and hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. have participated in on-line or in person nonviolence trainings in recent months. Amazingly, 130,000 people registered for one on-line nonviolence training in July. Together, we are learning about nonviolent communication (including across ideological differences), nonviolent self-defense, active bystander intervention & de-escalation, restorative justice, digital nonviolence, unarmed civilian protection, non-cooperation, and more.  

In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis wrote, “What is important is to create processes of encounter, processes that build a people that can accept differences. Let us arm our children with the weapons of dialogue! Let us teach them to fight the good fight of the culture of encounter!” (Fratelli Tutti 217) 

“… Pope Francis calls our attention to the Franciscan gifts of fraternity and social friendship, raising up the centrality of dialogue and encounter (FT 199). We are aware that how we live in fraternity is our first sign of the path to nonviolence and reconciliation. From this point we bring the application of a spirituality and practice of active nonviolence as the pathway for peacebuilding that flows from our Franciscan tradition.” OFM JPIC Assisi Statement, March 2025 

Francis of Assisi clearly modeled another way. Where others created enemies, he created brothers and sisters. His sustained, respectful dialogue with the Sultan Malik Al-Kamil demonstrated the possibility and importance of dialogue across religious, cultural, and geographic boundaries. Despite his failure to end the Crusades, the Saint of Assisi stands as a preeminent example of the peacemaker and, especially in his great dream of forestalling a war between the Christian and Muslim worlds of his time, he provides our historical moment with a utopia, a vision, an overarching ideal to help us imagine the totally new possibility of loving our enemies.  

Nonviolence is a spirituality, a way of life, a powerful force that can prevent or interrupt violence, protect those who are threatened, and build a more just world. It is a personal journey and a set of effective tools to promote social and ecological justice and enduring peace. Nonviolence is not the same as pacifism, and it is never passive.  It is a process that can move us and our communities toward just peace as we build the skills and capacity to engage conflict effectively and interrupt or prevent violence.  

Research rooted in experiences of nonviolent action in different cultures and contexts is helping us to understand that active nonviolence is a more promising and effective way than guns to confront the myriad forms of violence facing the world—from bullying to hate speech; from racism to gender violence; from authoritarianism and destruction of the Earth to war and weapons of mass destruction.  

Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and Catholic Institute for Nonviolence are helping the Catholic Church – globally and in local communities - remember that nonviolence was central to what Jesus taught and to how he lived.  

Pope Francis, in the 2017 World Day of Peace message on Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace, reminded us: “To be true followers of Jesus today also includes embracing his teaching about nonviolence.” And Pope Leo, in an address to the movements and associations that gave life to the Arena di Pace said “Faced with wars, terrorism, human trafficking, widespread aggression, children and young people need experiences that educate them to the culture of life, dialogue, mutual respect. And first of all they need witnesses of a different, nonviolent lifestyle ... Nonviolence as a method and as a style must distinguish our decisions, our relationships, our actions.” 

Yet, Catholics rarely hear from the pulpit, in Catholic schools, or in religious education programs that nonviolence is at the heart of the Gospel.  

What if the Catholic Church committed its many institutions, channels of communication and diplomacy, and its vast spiritual, intellectual, and financial resources to promoting active nonviolence? A multitude of possibilities exist for how that might begin. For example …  

Could dioceses include Gospel nonviolence in seminary and deacon formation programs and organize seminars on Christian nonviolence for the clergy and lay leaders? Could parishes regularly include the language of nonviolence in prayers of the faithful or general intercessions? Could Catholic schools be leaders in restorative justice programs? Could Catholic universities include the study of and research on different dimensions of nonviolence in academic programs, including theology, sociology, history, political science, and peace studies? Could Catholic universities, dioceses and parishes offer training in nonviolent skills to students, faculty, diocesan leaders, parishioners, and the larger community?  

The OFM JPIC Assisi Statement wrote: “As followers of St. Francis we must imitate his service to the lepers and the most vulnerable, his risky attempts to promote peace like at Damietta or in the Assisi Mayor-Bishop conflict, and his fraternal affection and compassion with other creatures. In this 21st century, this charismatic option for JPIC is illuminated by the magisterium of our beloved Franciscan-named pope, most notably through his prophetic encyclicals  Laudato Si’ and  Fratelli Tutti. Now is the time to bring those teachings to life as a central priority of the Order.”   

Nonviolence is not another “issue;” it is a cross-cutting way of life and a spectrum of learnable, effective skills to do exactly that.

Read in English

Franciscan Wisdom Series

¿Qué pasaría si 1,400 millones de católicos en todo el mundo comprendieran plenamente el poder y la eficacia de la no violencia activa y la conexión de la no violencia con el corazón del Evangelio? ¿Qué pasaría si todos supiéramos cómo aplicar herramientas no violentas para desactivar conflictos antes de que se volvieran violentos? 

Hoy en día conocemos demasiado bien la violencia y el profundo sufrimiento cerca de casa y en todo el mundo: desde la guerra y la violencia armada hasta la violencia retórica y los ataques físicos contra nuestros amigos inmigrantes y nuestros vecinos que tienen hambre, están desempleados o sin hogar. 

Al mismo tiempo, el deseo de pasar de un paradigma de violencia a uno de no violencia es cada vez más evidente. Siete millones de personas se reunieron en 2,700 eventos en los 50 estados y el Distrito de Columbia el 18 de octubre para un segundo Día Sin Reyes, y cientos de miles de personas en todo EE. UU. han participado en entrenamientos sobre no violencia en línea o presenciales en los últimos meses. Sorprendentemente, 130,000 personas se inscribieron en un solo entrenamiento en línea sobre no violencia en julio. Juntos estamos aprendiendo sobre comunicación no violenta (incluyendo entre diferencias ideológicas), defensa personal no violenta, intervención activa de espectadores y desescalada, justicia restaurativa, no violencia digital, protección civil desarmada, no cooperación y más. 

En Fratelli Tutti, el Papa Francisco escribió: “Lo importante es crear procesos de encuentro, procesos que construyan un pueblo que pueda aceptar las diferencias. ¡Armemos a nuestros hijos con las armas del diálogo! ¡Enseñémosles a librar la buena batalla de la cultura del encuentro!” (Fratelli Tutti 217) 

“… El Papa Francisco llama nuestra atención sobre los dones Franciscanos de fraternidad y amistad social, destacando la centralidad del diálogo y el encuentro (FT 199). Somos conscientes de que la manera en que vivimos la fraternidad es nuestra primera señal del camino hacia la no violencia y la reconciliación. Desde este punto, llevamos la aplicación de una espiritualidad y práctica de la no violencia activa como el camino para la construcción de la paz que fluye de nuestra tradición Franciscana.” 
Declaración de Asís OFM JPIC, marzo de 2025 

Francisco de Asís claramente modeló otro camino. Donde otros creaban enemigos, él creaba hermanos y hermanas. Su diálogo sostenido y respetuoso con el sultán Malik Al-Kamil demostró la posibilidad y la importancia del diálogo entre fronteras religiosas, culturales y geográficas. A pesar de su fracaso en poner fin a las Cruzadas, el Santo de Asís se erige como un ejemplo preeminente del pacificador y, especialmente en su gran sueño de evitar una guerra entre los mundos cristiano y musulmán de su tiempo, nos ofrece en este momento histórico una utopía, una visión, un ideal general que nos ayuda a imaginar la posibilidad totalmente nueva de amar a nuestros enemigos. 

La no violencia es una espiritualidad, una forma de vida, una fuerza poderosa que puede prevenir o interrumpir la violencia, proteger a quienes están amenazados y construir un mundo más justo. Es un viaje personal y un conjunto de herramientas eficaces para promover la justicia social y ecológica y una paz duradera. La no violencia no es lo mismo que el pacifismo, y nunca es pasiva. Es un proceso que puede movernos a nosotros y a nuestras comunidades hacia una paz justa mientras desarrollamos las habilidades y la capacidad para enfrentar el conflicto de manera efectiva e interrumpir o prevenir la violencia. 

Las investigaciones basadas en experiencias de acción no violenta en diferentes culturas y contextos nos ayudan a comprender que la no violencia activa es un camino más prometedor y eficaz que las armas para enfrentar las múltiples formas de violencia que enfrenta el mundo: desde el acoso escolar hasta el discurso de odio; desde el racismo hasta la violencia de género; desde el autoritarismo y la destrucción de la Tierra hasta la guerra y las armas de destrucción masiva. 

La Iniciativa Católica de No Violencia de Pax Christi International y el Instituto Católico para la No Violencia están ayudando a la Iglesia Católica – globalmente y en comunidades locales – a recordar que la no violencia fue central en lo que Jesús enseñó y en cómo vivió. 

El Papa Francisco, en el mensaje para la Jornada Mundial de la Paz de 2017 sobre la No Violencia: Un Estilo de Política para la Paz, nos recordó: 
“Ser verdaderos seguidores de Jesús hoy también incluye abrazar su enseñanza sobre la no violencia.” 
Y el Papa León, en un discurso a los movimientos y asociaciones que dieron vida a la Arena di Pace, dijo: 
“Ante las guerras, el terrorismo, la trata de personas, la agresión generalizada, los niños y jóvenes necesitan experiencias que los eduquen en la cultura de la vida, el diálogo, el respeto mutuo. Y, ante todo, necesitan testigos de un estilo de vida diferente, no violento... La no violencia como método y como estilo debe distinguir nuestras decisiones, nuestras relaciones, nuestras acciones.” 

Sin embargo, rara vez los católicos escuchan desde el púlpito, en las escuelas católicas o en los programas de educación religiosa que la no violencia está en el corazón del Evangelio. 

¿Qué pasaría si la Iglesia Católica comprometiera sus muchas instituciones, canales de comunicación y diplomacia, y sus vastos recursos espirituales, intelectuales y financieros para promover la no violencia activa? 

Existen multitud de posibilidades para comenzar. Por ejemplo… 

¿Podrían las diócesis incluir la no violencia evangélica en los programas de formación de seminarios y diáconos y organizar seminarios sobre la no violencia cristiana para el clero y líderes laicos? ¿Podrían las parroquias incluir regularmente el lenguaje de la no violencia en las oraciones de los fieles o en las intercesiones generales? ¿Podrían las escuelas católicas ser líderes en programas de justicia restaurativa? ¿Podrían las universidades católicas incluir el estudio y la investigación sobre diferentes dimensiones de la no violencia en programas académicos, incluyendo teología, sociología, historia, ciencia política y estudios de paz? ¿Podrían las universidades católicas, diócesis y parroquias ofrecer capacitación en habilidades no violentas a estudiantes, profesores, líderes diocesanos, feligreses y la comunidad en general? 

La Declaración de Asís OFM JPIC escribió: 
“Como seguidores de San Francisco debemos imitar su servicio a los leprosos y a los más vulnerables, sus intentos arriesgados de promover la paz como en Damieta o en el conflicto entre el alcalde y el obispo de Asís, y su afecto fraternal y compasión con otras criaturas. En este siglo XXI, esta opción carismática por JPIC está iluminada por el magisterio de nuestro amado papa Franciscano, sobre todo a través de sus encíclicas proféticas Laudato Si’ y Fratelli Tutti. Ahora es el momento de dar vida a esas enseñanzas como prioridad central de la Orden.” 

La no violencia no es otro “tema”; es una forma de vida transversal y un espectro de habilidades eficaces y aprendibles para lograr exactamente eso. 

Week 3 of Advent is all about JOY!

“The desert and 

the parched land will exult…

and rejoice with joyful song…

Those whom the LORD 

has ransomed will return

crowned with everlasting joy;

they will meet with joy and gladness.”

(Isaiah 35:1-10) 

————— 

But in the Franciscan tradition, joy is never shallow. 

“The poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” 

(Matthew 11:5) 

Perfect joy  goes hand in hand with the mystery of poverty revealed in Christ… 

————— 

“O holy poverty, 

God, beyond any doubt, reveals 

eternal glory and blessed life to 

those who have and desire her! 

“O God-centered poverty, 

Whom the Lord Jesus Christ came 

down to embrace before all else!” 

(St. Clare of Assisi) 

————— 

Among all the virtues 

which prepare in us a dwelling for God, 

Holy Poverty shines before them all.  

For she is the foundation  

and guardian of all virtues. 

(The Sacred Exchange) 

————— 

Franciscan joy is a paradox: 

the less we cling to, 

the more our hearts expand. 

Letting go of control, 

of self-importance, 

of what we think we must have— 

this is the joyful poverty  

we are invited into. 

When nothing is “ours,” 

nothing can be taken away 

and everything is received as gift. 

And joy breaks forth. 

————— 

But, this is a joy that transforms: 
 
With nothing to grasp, 

our fears dissolve  

and freedom grows: 

the freedom to love as Christ loves. 

What would joyful poverty set free in you? 

————— 

“Nothing belongs to you… 

But we can boast in our weaknesses 

and in carrying each day 

the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

(St Francis in the Admonitions) 

Perfect joy blooms when nothing  

stands between us and  

the God-who-became-poor for us. 

Advent Joy Call to Action 

This week, choose one act of joyful poverty: 

Do one task you think is “beneath you” slowly and lovingly. 

Offer praise and thanks for something you usually take for granted. 

Let go of one expectation that keeps you anxious or closed off to others. 

Spend 1 hour with no possessions (no phone, no agenda), simply receiving life as gift. 

Bless someone who irritates you by name, in prayer, with honesty. 

Reflect: Who is the poor Christ in my life, and how can I joyfully spend time with Him? 

What practice will make more room for Christ in your life this week? 

Welcome to "A Franciscan Advent: Beginning Again." Start your day with this reflection on the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent. 

————— 

Stay Awake and Begin Again 

Advent isn’t passive waiting:  

it’s active transformation.

Advent boldly invites you to let peace reach the most difficult places in your life. 

Where do you need the peace of Christ most? 

————— 

“The wolf shall be a guest of the lamb… 

With a little child to guide them… 

The lion shall eat hay like the ox… 

The baby shall play by the cobra's den” 

(Isaiah 11:1-10) 

What are the wolves, lions, and lambs in your life that need reconciling peace? 

What is the cobra’s den causing you anxiety? 

Where do you long for childlike wonder? 

————— 

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 

(Matthew 3:1-12) 

We all want peace… 

…but peace begins with 

God reordering our life and priorities. 

What changes would open more space for Christ’s peace in your life? 

————— 

In Franciscan life, peace and conversion always grow together. 

To receive and share Christ’s peace, 

we must surrender the habits, attachments, and

judgments that keep us from responding generously to God’s call. 

Conversion frees us for a new way of being. 

————— 

“As you announce peace with your mouth, 

make sure that greater peace is in your hearts… 

May everyone be drawn to peace, kindness, and harmony through your gentleness.” 

(St. Francis in the Legend of the Three Companions) 

Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict but the courage to be changed by love. 

————— 

This is rigorous work. 

Letting go hurts. Humility is costly. 

Conversion asks us to stretch  

beyond our comforts, 

again and again. 

But this is the freedom Christ desires for us: 

new possibilities, healed relationships, surprising joy, peace that  

transforms the world. 

————— 

“In tireless pursuit of holy newness, Francis constantly hoped to begin again…” 

Peacemaking is a daily choice. 

And ongoing conversion is a  

lifetime of beginnings.

Where will you begin again today? 

————— 

How to Embrace Ongoing Conversion this Week 

One Bold Act of Conversion: What is one change in your life that you can embrace this week for peace to break through? 

Drop One Burden: What is one obstacle to encountering the Prince of Peace daily? 

Disrupt Your Priorities: How can we respond generously when God, disguised as an inconvenience, interrupts your day? 

Fast From Criticism: How can you bring peace and kindness to a relationship marked by the resentment and judgment? 

Offer the Gift of Peace: Who is someone overlooked or often isolated that you can visit and accompany this week? 

Do you seek to deepen your relationship with God and be more attentive to his presence, activity and invitation in your life? Could you benefit from walking the spiritual path with someone who can affirm, clarify and even challenge you along the way? Then, spiritual direction could be of assistance to you on your faith journey.

Spiritual direction isn’t pastoral or psychological counseling. Nor is it confession. Rather, this ancient practice of accompaniment focuses on a person’s relationship with God, including prayer life and life experiences. 

“Sometimes people seeking spiritual direction are looking for someone to tell them what to do,” said Br. Bob Frazzetta, OFM, a member of the leadership team for the Spiritual Direction Training Program at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. “That’s exactly what it’s not. We’re here to (accompany) people, to discern with them where God could be moving within them.” 

“The core of spiritual direction is always the same,” added Jennie Isbell Shinn, program director. “It’s one person walking alongside another to listen to where God is at work in, though and around the directee.” 

What is a spiritual director?  

Spiritual directors are men and women, single or married, priests or members of religious communities, who have undergone specific training to engage in this ministry. For example, the Spiritual Direction Training Program at the Shrine is a hybrid program that meets in person twice a year and online. The training includes the in-depth exploration of core topics, including self-knowledge, contemplative attitude, practices of prayer and silence, listening and speaking skills, psychological knowledge and discernment.  

How do I find a spiritual director? 

To find a spiritual director, Br. Bob and Jennie suggest beginning by engaging in prayerful discernment and seeking recommendations from one’s parish, diocese, religious communities, retreat centers or other reputable Catholic institutions. They recommend identifying a director who has undergone a comprehensive training program accompanied by ongoing supervision throughout the entire practice of their ministry to maintain spiritual integrity and faithfulness to Church teaching. 

To ensure a fruitful spiritual relationship, Br. Bob and Jennie emphasize the importance of meeting with potential directors to familiarize yourself with their approach to ministry.  

“Learning to pray together is the priority. That introduces trust into the relationship,” Br. Bob noted. “The first meeting is about building trust and getting to know each other a bit. I encourage people to talk about their first remembrance of God, their spiritual upbringing and significant spiritual events in their lives.” 

“I hope that there would be a lot of shared silence and questions that invite the directee to go deeper in their life with God,” Jennie said. “There may be some uncomfortable moments in the relationship because spiritual directors do invite the directee to go deeper and consider new things. Not every director will be the person with whom you have the most trust and vulnerability. It might be someone quite different from you who challenges you while always having deep respect for your relationship with God.”  

The benefits of spiritual direction  

Who can benefit? Every person of faith, said Br. Bob, whether they are experiencing ongoing discernment about a new direction for their life or just seeking ongoing accompaniment. “I believe God calls us to these things, and we all need to hear and learn more about what God has chosen for us and what he is calling us to.”  

“I think that people who are committed to dwelling with God in their daily lives can benefit from having someone who dwells with them in their life with God,” Jennie said. “I’ve also seen group spiritual direction be beneficial. It’s the process rather than the director. Group members take turns bearing witness to God’s invitation in their lives and are enriched by hearing the stories of others.” 

A rewarding ministry 

Jennie and Br. Bob find their ministry as spiritual directors to be rewarding. “It has been such a gift to spend so much of my life listening to people as they describe the invitations they receive from God, invitations of the holy unfolding in ordinary life,” Jennie explained.  

“This is like my dream job,” said Br. Bob. “I love it. There is a hunger to grow in our faith, and for many people, spiritual direction satisfies that hunger. People are eager to share their experience of God, to have that validated. I’ve seen lives turn around as people realize God is really there. It’s a beautiful thing.” 

Applications for the 2026-2028 spiritual direction learning cohort at St. Anthony Shrine will be available in January 2026. For more information, visit the Shrine’s website.  

With many Americans suffering through an affordability crisis, the Winter 2025 Franciscan Challenge could not have come at a better time.  

The Franciscan Challenge – run by Franciscan Friars Charities, the charitable arm of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe – is a bi-annual fundraising campaign that supports the works and ministries of the Franciscan friars in the United States, Puerto Rico and Cuba, as well as our Franciscan mission in Jamaica. 

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Through The Franciscan Challenge, Franciscan Friars Charities can beg for those too busy surviving to beg for themselves and 'challenge' those with God’s grace in their hearts to perform small acts of kindness for those in need.  

Helping present this challenge to donors are emotionally stirring video testimonials featuring people served by our ministries. Each video is part fundraising appeal, part evidence that the funds raised by the Challenge bring food, clothing, and care to the over 5 million people who seek the friars’ help each year. Funds raised by the Challenge also assist in educating young friars and caring for elderly friars who have cared for so many for so long. 

A new Franciscan Challenge video launched on Dec. 2, featuring Jessica, a widow from Philadelphia. Every day, Jessica is desperate to feed her two children. She constantly worries about their safety and education. More than anything, she wants them to feel like the world cares about them. She finds this care at the Franciscan-run St. Francis Inn in South Philadelphia. 

“When I don't have it, if I need help, this is what I depend on,” shares Jessica. At the St. Francis Inn, her desperation subsides, her worries fade, and she and her children feel loved.  

Every Tuesday from Dec. 9 to Dec. 30, The Franciscan Challenge will share more video testimonials from Franciscan ministries in Cincinnati, St. Louis, Detroit, and Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.  

Per Franciscan Friars Charities, “The Challenge recognizes that not everyone has the time or ability to help the poor and marginalized in person. Not everyone lives near a place of great need or is comfortable approaching someone they’ve never met to give them a blanket, sandwich or cup of coffee. When people see these powerful video testimonials, they can see how their donations can work—how they can set in motion the physical act of giving, feeding, sheltering, and accompaniment.”  

To learn more about and to take The Franciscan Challenge, visit https://challenge.franciscanfriarscharities.org/ 

St. Augustine, a notable early Christian thinker, described spiritual restlessness and the yearning for unity as fundamental to the human experience. 

In that spirit, a wave of young Americans is searching for deeper meaning and fulfillment, turning to the Catholic Church to nourish their spiritual lives. This movement is particularly evident among students at the University of California, Santa Barbara, a secular school.  

In a region known for beaches, Spanish heritage and wine, St. Mark’s University Parish has seen notable growth, with students making up 90% of new members. Many are pursuing master’s degrees and PhDs. Their exuberance for their faith reflects a vibrant reclamation within the academic community. 

Br. Ryan Thornton, OFM, western regional vocations director for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is an OCIA instructor at St. Mark’s in Isla Vista, California, near Santa Barbara. The power behind this trend, he says, is both complex and simple. 

“It is God’s grace and the relevance of the Gospel as much as ever,” Br. Ryan said. 

OCIA seeing burgeoning numbers 

Growth at St. Mark’s, powered by campus ministry, reflects a wider trend.  

In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which includes St. Mark’s, 5,500 new members joined at Easter 2025 – the most growth in 10 years. That includes 2,800 baptized with no previous Christian affiliation.  

Sarah Torres is the director of religious education and pastoral assistant at St. Mark’s. She said the church’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program, a process to start people on their spiritual journey in the Catholic Church, is thriving at record rates. 

The class of 2025, the largest since the church’s founding in 1966, is on pace to be surpassed in 2026. She feels the parish program – a one-year journey that coincides with the UCSB school calendar – is ideal for college students. 

So too, she says, is its instructor, Br. Ryan, an experienced academic theologian and teacher for high school and university students. 

“His background – experience working with college students, as well as his theological formation – provides the perfect breeding ground for those who seek to learn more about the Catholic faith, whether they have practiced it for years, are just coming back, or are starting from scratch,” she said. “St. Mark's is a place where questions are welcomed and ideas can be challenged, and this is evident in our OCIA program.” 

Participants in courses – and community 

Br. Ryan noticed that university students are joining not for marriage, as they might have in the past, but out of a sincere wish for meaning and spiritual growth – in an academic environment that can be, at best, indifferent to religion, and, at worst, antagonistic to it.  

“What they’re hearing (in school) doesn’t make sense with their experience in a life of faith,” Br. Ryan said. "What they want is inherent to Catholics, to our constitution, inherent to every human being. That desire for more is a desire for God.” 

St. Mark’s has created tracks for those who need baptism, communion and confirmation, and those who need only confirmation. The latter class is being called upon to participate in ministry. 

“Our courses engage with the community at large,” Br. Ryan said. “We want them to understand that this is not just a class, it is a springboard to a life lived in community.” 

Sarah said St. Mark’s provides bible study, sacraments and faith development for both parishioners and college students, like Newman Centers at universities. 

‘Courses as a calling’ 

Alexa Chagoya, a second-year sociology major at UCSB, joined OCIA at St. Mark’s for confirmation and felt relief from collegiate pressures through community events like beach retreats, candlelight Masses and rosaries, which sustained her faith journey.  

“There is so much you can do to deepen your faith,” she said. “Fr. Ryan's teaching helped me to prepare. He emphasized ... the courses served as a calling, even if you simply wanted to learn about the faith but were uncertain about joining the Church.” 

The Church should evaluate young people's engagement, needs and growth potential, Br. Ryan believes. 

“Do we remain only in shrine churches in cities of the past, or do we go with the church of the people? The gospel is new; it is enlivening. It is different. People are coming in with an existential question. It’s not seeking to make sense of one teaching. It’s in response to the idea that ‘I don’t know how to make sense of life. This thing that is the Catholic church and faith is speaking to me.’” 

Last week, Brothers Greg Gebbia, OFM, and Jacek Orzechowski, OFM, loaded a van with Siena University gear and traveled 250 miles to join 16,000 young Catholics for prayer, community and sharing Jesus’ message in St. Francis’ spirit. 

Held from Nov. 20 to 22 in Indianapolis, the National Catholic Youth Conference is the leading event of its kind in the United States, offering catechesis, evangelization and nurturing a strong sense of community. 

“We wanted to give kids a connection to Siena and its role in environmental studies within the Franciscan tradition,” said Br. Greg. Friars from the Charlotte ministry of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Brothers Casey Cole, OFM, Jason Damon, OFM, and Tito Serrano, OFM – also participated. Chris Rivera, the province’s new director of youth and young adult ministry, called the experience “deeply enriching.” 

The friars left hopeful about the Church's future and the Franciscan role in promoting faith. Br. Casey felt encouraged to see youths enthusiastic about their beliefs. 

“The energy in the room was palpable, brimming with hope for the future of the Church,” he said. “Experiences like this call people to something deeper, a sense of vocation for the life of the world. We left the conference excited for the fruit that this generation will bear.

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Conversation about Franciscan life

Brothers Greg and Jacek staffed the Siena University booth for the Laudato Si' Center for Integral Ecology. A compelling moment for Br. Greg: seeing 16,000 young Catholics kneel and pray silently for 60 minutes. 

“If you saw them praying and taking their Catholic faith so seriously, in the sacraments, how they enter reconciliation and the Eucharist, and seek a deeper understanding of baptism and some discerning religious life – it was impressive,” he said. 

Br. Jacek said many young people approached the friars to learn about religious life, demonstrating strong faith and an openness to conversation about Franciscan life and Siena University. “I walked away with an edified feeling that these kids really are interested in us as friars and priests,” he said. “It's a validation of our life and mission and what we want to be about.” 

Br. Jacek brought a question wheel for visitors to use to break the ice when they visited. 

“It opened our conversation about what's going on in the world,” he said. “God appears in the signs of the times. He heard the cry of the poor and of the earth, and now he's calling on others to do something about it.” 

Welcome to "A Franciscan Advent: Beginning Again." Start your day with this reflection on the readings for the First Sunday of Advent. 

We hope that these weekly reflections help you to journey deeper into Advent by putting Franciscan spirituality, peacemaking, and joy into practice.

—————

Beginning Again with Christ 
starts with radical attention:   

To unexpected Beauty and Grace  
To surprising encounters with Christ 
To Christ’s quiet beckoning in our daily life. 
 
What are you paying attention to this Advent?  

—————

Staying awake just might lead back to God. 

“Aroused by everything to divine love, 
Francis rejoiced in all the works of the Lord… 

“In beautiful things he discerned Beauty Itself  
and through the footprints impressed in things  
Francis followed his Beloved everywhere.” 
(Major Legend of Saint Francis) 

—————

Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!  
(Isaiah 2:1-5) 

We long to walk the Lord’s path
yet we often rush past the very Christ
walking beside us and lighting our way.  

Advent asks for courage to 
face what distracts us, 
rediscover the footprints of Christ  
in the ordinary, 
and run after what truly matters. 

—————

It is the hour now for  
you to awake from sleep. 

For our salvation is nearer now than when  
we first believed… 

Let us throw off the works of darkness  
and put on the armor of light. 

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. 
(Romans 13:11-14)  

—————

Therefore, stay awake!  
(Matthew 24:42) 

Don’t miss the quiet ways  
Christ approaches you 
in beauty, in disruptions,  
in the people beside you. 

Advent slows us down to see clearly and  
rouses us to respond generously. 

Such attention illumines loving action:  
becoming Christ for others.  

—————

We are mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ 
when we carry Him in our  
heart and body through love and 
give birth to Christ through a holy activity  
which must shine as an  
example before others.  
(St. Francis in First Version of Letter to the Faithful) 

Focus your Attention: Choose 1 area of your spiritual life that you hope to renew or reform this year. Write it down. Share with a friend. Let it matter.  

Shift your Attention: Choose one concrete way you will slow down and simplify your routine to notice Christ more clearly this Advent.  

Pay Attention to Christ Daily: Each night ask: When was I awake to Christ today? When was I asleep? Learn what helps you stay more alert to Christ for tomorrow. 

For more reflections like this one, follow the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Instagram and Facebook. Throughout Advent, we will be sharing videos and other content that will invite you to journey deeper into the season of Advent by putting Franciscan spirituality, peacemaking and joy into practice.  

The joy of God’s grace is never far. 

The Sacrament of Penance is God’s gift to all baptized Catholics. Through confession, we are freed from our sins and also encouraged to look upon those who may sin against us with compassion and mercy. 

Penance might feel like an intimidating sacrament for many. It need not be. Below, five friars share suggestions for how to approach confession.  

Why confess our sins? 

When we confess our sins, we seek forgiveness and repentance, and commit to letting go of old habits or patterns that might have caused sin. In turn, the Lord welcomes us to joyfully receive him free from serious sin with an open heart.  

The number of Catholics going to confession is on the rise. According to a Catholic News Agency report, 42% of Catholics surveyed in 2024 said they go to confession at least yearly, and 16% at least monthly, up 6% at least once a month, from a 2022 survey.  

Receiving the grace of forgiveness encourages us to forgive others. As it says in the Prayer of St. Francis: “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.” 

How to prepare for confession 

1. Examine your conscience 

Before you step into the confessional, take some time to prepare through prayer and reflection.  

Br. Bill Farris, OFM, invites those seeking the sacrament to reflect on their behaviors and relationships with others.  

“Having a starting point is important if it helps a person to explore where our sins reside,” Br. Bill said. “It is easy to consult a list of standard sins, select those that apply and then convey them to the priest.”  

Confession should be more than that. Br. Bill says the Sacrament of Reconciliation heals hearts, the complex and mysterious centers of our being. “Whatever list we use must help us wend our way deeper into that mystery,” he said. 

Try this 

Br. Bill suggests daily reflection at bedtime to review the day and enrich your self-understanding first.  

“Instead of recalling in one session a week, a month, or years-worth of sins, we can bring together in our heart what we need to speak about with the priest,” he said. “It helps us identify action and inaction that mark our drift away from God and our brothers and sisters.” 

2. Ask God to give you grace 

Confession helps us to grow closer to Jesus Christ, Our Loving Savior. As you prepare for confession, ask God to give you grace so that you may grow ever closer to Him. 

As a pastor, Br. Joseph Hund, OFM, frequently reminded penitents of the humility confession requires.  

“It is a temptation to delay or deny the need for the sacrament,” he said. “Having the courage to overcome that temptation and the benefits of peace are a great gift.” 

Try this 

Before your confession, pray to God for help. Lay out your conflicts and hopes. Have faith that God hears you and trust in His will for you. 

3. Confessional or face-to-face? 

Br. Michael Haney, OFM, says confessing one’s sins face-to-face can enhance one’s experience of the sacrament and strengthen the community life of the Church. 

“I appreciate our opportunity for interpersonal connection,” he said. “When we text message and leave voicemails, we do not see each other. Confession is an important sacrament. I prefer face-to-face.”   

Br. Michael says he understands people’s apprehension but fears of a priest sharing a confession with others or judging the confessor are unfounded.  

“Every sacrament has within it the grace of God that is working our lives," he said. "Confession is a way of infusing trust in God. We can feel bad about our sins, but God still loves us.” 

Try this 

Ask your confessor for guidance. He can help you address your anxieties and fears regarding the sacrament.  

4. Give a prayer of thanksgiving and do your penance 

After you confess your sins, the priest will propose an act of penance: a prayer, an act of charity, or a work of mercy.  

Br. Tony Posadas, OFM, says prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude are essential to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and reminds us that confession should end with a grateful spirit in the presence of a loving God. 

“Otherwise, someone's image of God can become one of a cruel God that has set us up to fail,” he said.  

Try this 

Listen to your confessor's advice and consider making it part of your prayer life. Br. Tony suggests that people realize their penance as soon as possible. 

5. Decide how often to return  

The Catholic Church requires that every Catholic go to confession at least once a year and encourages frequent confession to invite people to grow closer to God. 

Br. Bob Hutmacher, OFM, has been a confessor for over 45 years. He says that there is no magic number for how often someone should go to confession. 

“Some people need reminders of many things in their spiritual development,” he said. “Some who are scrupulous need the rule of ‘mortal sin necessitates the Sacrament of Penance.’   

“You can encourage others to go when they need inspiration or celebrate God’s forgiveness in their hearts,” he continued. “People seem to know when to confess and ritualize God’s tender, limitless forgiveness.” 

Try this 

Do not seek a magic number. Consider the benefits of frequent confession: Developing humility and self-awareness, curbing unhealthy habits and avoiding spiritual neglect. 

The Western Region of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Franciscan Vocation Ministry held a Come and See weekend at St. Boniface Friary in San Francisco the weekend of Nov. 14 to 16.  

Two men from California and one from Clemson University were welcomed by Br. Tony Luevano, OFM, western regional vocation director, and local friars Brothers Juan Jose Jauregui, OFM, Zeno Im, OFM, John Luat Nguyen, OFM, Joan Perez, OFM, Brian Trawick, OFM, Alberto Villafan, OFM, and David Gaa, OFM, of St. Barbara Province. Br. Greg Plata, national vocation director, assisted Br. Tony for the weekend. 

Friday night began with evening prayer, followed by dinner and introductions from the discerners. Br. Greg posed the question, “What do you hope to gain from this weekend?” and each discerner expressed a desire to experience the fraternity’s lifestyle and ministry to aid their discernment. 

After Saturday morning prayer and a pickup breakfast, Br. Tony took the discerners and Br. Greg to St. Anthony Foundation, explaining its history as well as its multi-faceted outreach to the poor in the area, commonly known as the “Tenderloin.”  

St. Anthony Foundation was founded in 1950 by the late Fr. Alfred Boeddeker, OFM, and offers a wide range of services including medical and hygiene services, a computer lab and a clothing program. The St. Anthony Dining Room has served over 35,000,000 nutritional meals in its 75-year history. After the tour, the discerners and friars donned aprons to assist with meals in the dining hall, which served more than 900 meals from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. 

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The discerners also had the opportunity to visit three iconic sites in the city: historic Fort Point, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Palace of Fine Arts, built in 1915 to commemorate the Panama-Pacific International Exposition hosted by the city. Later that afternoon, the discerners sat down with the friars of St. Boniface, who shared not only their down-to-earth stories of discernment to the Franciscans, but the realities of community life, the deeper context of the vowed life, and the overall joy of being Friars Minor. 

“This weekend, especially with the friars sharing their stories, gave me a lot more clarity to this way of life,” said one discerner.  

Sunday included Mass with the parishioners of St. Boniface, breakfast and a presentation on the discernment and formation process of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  

As one discerner said, “Having experienced other Come and See events, this weekend just reaffirmed my desire to join the friars in the near future.”