The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Order of Friars Minor, is upon us! Here is an overview of events for the St. Francis feast day (Oct. 4) at Franciscan churches, including the Transitus (the celebration of Francis' transition from earth to heavenly life on Oct. 3), the feast day Mass and the blessing of the animals. 

Connecticut 

St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Church
285 Church St, Hartford, CT 06103 
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. 
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. 

Florida 

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
509 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. 
Feast Day Mass: 5:30 p.m. 

Missouri 

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
3140 Meramec St., St. Louis, MO 63118 
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 7p.m. 
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 5 at noon 

New Jersey 

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church 
65 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ 07405 
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. 
Feast Day Mass: Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. 
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. 

St. Francis of Assisi Church
4700 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, NJ 08008 
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. 

St. Mary Catholic Church
17 Pompton Ave, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. 
Feast Day Celebrations: Oct. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. 
Feast Day Mass: Oct. 4 at 5 p.m.  
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. 
Mass and reflection on St. Francis: Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. (This activity will take place in Spanish) 

Ohio 

St. Francis Seraph Church
1615 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 2014 Springdale Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231 
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 5 after the 10 a.m. Mass at St. Francis Seraph Church 

Texas 

Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine
1321 El Paso Street, San Antonio, TX 78207 
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. with the Franciscan Family, followed by a reception in the parish hall 

Virginia 

St. Francis of Assisi Church
18825 Fuller Heights Rd, Triangle, VA, United States, Virginia
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 4 at 10 a.m.
St. Francis Festival: Oct. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Feast Day Mass: 5:30 p.m.

Wisconsin 

Assumption BVM Parish 
125 E Pulaski St, Pulaski, WI 54162 
Blessing of the Animals and Dirt for Gardens: Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m. 

Five faith-filled discerners were received into the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s postulancy program during a joyful prayer service at San Juan Diego Friary in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Aug. 26. Provincial Minister Br. Larry Hayes, OFM, led the service. Also present to welcome the men were Br. Gino Correa, OFM, director of the postulancy program; Br. Henry Fulmer, OFM, guardian of Holy Name College Fraternity in Silver Spring, Maryland; members of provincial leadership and the formation team; friars in residence, and local brothers. 

The postulants experienced Franciscan hospitality the previous weekend when they attended the solemn profession of five friars and the ordination of three at Holy Family Catholic Church in Albuquerque.  

“They felt very much a part of our brotherhood,” Br. Gino said.  

Postulancy, the initial stage of Franciscan formation, provides aspirants with the opportunity to explore Franciscan life through a residential program of preparation for formal acceptance into the Order. The postulancy program is an orientation to Franciscan community life and prayer, and includes ministry opportunities. 

Br. Larry, who led the prayer service, encouraged the postulants to trust God, each other and the friar community during this time of transition in their lives. “It was very personal,” Br. Gino said. “He spoke to each of the five by name and gave them very much a sense of how much we welcome them.”  

This was followed by the blessing of the Tau crosses, which were then presented to each postulant, representing the journey begun and never-ending. The crosses are also a reminder of St. Francis’ saying, “Let us begin again.”  

The men of the postulant class of 2025-26 hail from various backgrounds and experiences.  

Timothy Jones, 38, originally from New Jersey, has integrated his professional experience as a barber with his commitment to service. He has volunteered at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia and with the Missionary Sisters of Charity, offering free haircuts, meals and operational support. He is inspired by and strives to embody St. Francis’ values of simplicity, humility and love for creation. 

Alex Barrientos, 27, a warehouse associate from Baldwin, New York, is deeply drawn to the Franciscan way of life, particularly the example of St. Francis and St. Padre Pio. Alex has served his parish community in youth and young adult ministry and liturgy, helping to coordinate events throughout Long Island, New York. His physically active lifestyle matches his spiritual life. He enjoys martial arts, biking and exploring nature, finding in these activities a space for reflection and balance.  

Jason Stoodley, 39, worked as team lead at Walmart in Esperance, New York, and studied environmental biology in college, where he met both Conventual and Secular Franciscans who inspired his vocational discernment. He converted to Catholicism in 2004, and was drawn to the Franciscans’ emphasis on poverty, simplicity and care for the marginalized. His faith journey reflects a desire to live in close connection with God’s creation and the poor.  

Christopher Berry, 38, from Mascoutah, Illinois, is an aerospace engineer, military veteran and entrepreneur with a passion for mission and service. Introduced to the Franciscan tradition through his mother’s work at a Franciscan hospital, he resonated with its call to simplicity, community and purpose. Holding degrees in engineering and science, along with a certificate in contemporary apologetics, Christopher now seeks to align his skills with a life rooted in faith and service. 

David Rodriguez, 40, from Hurst, Texas, has worked as a restaurant manager, salon owner and operations director with a heart for faith and service. Though he has never belonged to a religious community, his call has been shaped by retreats, spiritual direction and time spent with Franciscan friars. He sees the Franciscan path as a way to live out the Gospel with authenticity. With a compassionate presence and a discerning heart, David is exploring the call to the priesthood within the Franciscan tradition. 

Following their reception ceremony, the postulants remained in the Southwest for several days, learning about the Franciscan presence and history in the area; visiting Franciscan parishes and ministries, including those among Native Americans; and meeting friars, who shared their faith journeys with the postulants. The men have since returned to Silver Spring, where, in the coming months, they will experience fraternal life, participate in various classes, engage in ministry opportunities and deepen their prayer lives.   

“The hope is for them to grow in their ability for discernment and self-reflection, really recognizing the life of fraternity that they believe they are called to,” Br. Gino said. “It’s a time to help them discover new things about themselves and how they relate to God and others within the context of fraternity. They’ll have the opportunity to learn how their deepest desires coincide with what God desires for them and whether that leads to life as a Franciscan.”   

For other men who may be discerning a call to friar life, Br. Gino said, “If you are really trying to decide if you’re called, know that you will experience a spirit of hospitality in any friar you encounter. You will be welcomed by men who love their lives and want to share God’s love with others.”   

Please pray for our postulants as they continue their discernment. 

Do you know someone who is being called to be a friar? If so, invite them to contact our vocations office. 

It is with great sadness that we share that Provincial Councilor Fr. Samuel Nasada, OFM, 47, died Sept. 6, 2025, in Chicago. He will be remembered for his dedication to serving immigrants and the poor.  

A Vigil Service will be offered at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18 at Mission San Luis Rey Parish Church, 4070 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92057. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 19 at Mission San Luis Rey Parish Church, followed by interment at the Friars Memorial on the grounds of Mission San Luis Rey.

Fr. Sam was born on March 29, 1978, in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he graduated from Canisius Prep High School. He came to the United States in 1997 to pursue a bachelor’s degree (Oklahoma State University, Stillwater) and master’s degree (Georgia Tech, Atlanta) in industrial engineering. While working in the manufacturing industry in Los Angeles, he joined an Indonesian Catholic young adult group that he later credited with nurturing his vocation. An interest in music led him to meet a Franciscan musician, who encouraged him to become a Franciscan friar.  

Fr. Sam was received into the Order of Friars Minor on July 2, 2010, and professed his first vows as a Franciscan on June 24, 2011. He made his solemn profession on Aug. 20, 2016, and earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Franciscan School of Theology in 2017.  

In response to rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States, he helped establish a new Franciscan community in Elfrida, Arizona, close to the U.S.-Mexico border. There he ministered to migrants seeking a better life and provided life-giving supplies to people crossing the desert. His experience serving migrants had a deep impact on his formation as a Franciscan friar.   

From 2018 to 2020, he served at the Franciscan Renewal Center (“the Casa”) in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 3, 2019. He supported the Casa’s Faith in Action Ministries and walked the Migrant Trail, a 75-mile journey along the U.S.-Mexico border, multiple times to raise awareness for the plight of migrants and oppose inhumane border policies.  

In July 2020, he became associate pastor of the multicultural Mission San Luis Rey Parish in Oceanside, California. He served there until he moved to San Francisco in 2023 to minister at St. Boniface Parish.  

In October 2023, five legacy provinces belonging to the Order of Friars Minor came together to form the new Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Fr. Sam was appointed to serve on the new province’s first Provincial Council and played a key role in ushering in a new Franciscan presence in the United States.   

He traveled extensively to be present to brothers from Alaska to Puerto Rico. As part of the Provincial Council, he supported the Franciscan Provincial Synod, a yearlong process that culminated in the charting of a collective path for the new province as it seeks to serve the poor and marginalized in the 21st century. Among other initiatives, he supported the development of the province’s Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.  

Fr. Sam is survived by his parents, Melany Untoro and Anton Himawan, his brother, Kristoforus Himawan, and extended family in Jakarta and the United States.

How does one measure the legacy of a friar whose ministry became one with the very heart of New York City, whose 22 years as an FDNY chaplain were a tribute and a torch passed from a beloved brother lost on 9/11?  What does it mean to reluctantly answer a call shaped by unimaginable sacrifice, but come to embrace it with serenity through the grace of the Holy Spirit?  

At 83, Br. Chris Keenan, OFM, prefers active service to retirement, dedicating each day to helping the poor. 

“For all of us (friars), we’ve loved what we’ve done, we did it for the right reasons, and we did it well,” he said. “(Retirement is a) time to let go and let God. However, what do I have yet to give? I have all this time as a retired friar to do anything I want.

“I became a priest because of Mychal Judge,” said Br. Chris Keenan, OFM, who grew up in a Franciscan parish in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. He didn’t have the “desire to be a Franciscan” when he was young. All that changed when he met the late Fathers Mychal and Ben Taylor, OFM. (Photo courtesy of Laura Yanes)

Ministries for now and a brighter future 

Br. Chris emphasizes addressing the root cause of social issues alongside offering charity. 

Charity addresses the effects of social issues by providing direct aid such as food and clothing, he explains. Justice targets the causes through support programs that include housing, job training and substance abuse treatment. 

The ministries he supports are varied. All aim to address urgent needs now and build lasting solutions. 

Since 1998, Br. Chris has supported CREATE, Inc., founded by Fr. Ben Taylor, OFM, in 1968 to help those facing unemployment, homelessness, addiction, or food insecurity. CREATE runs seven programs, including medically supervised substance abuse treatment. 

Br. Chris and Stephanie Ali support 2,000 Harlem families through the All Saints Food Pantry. Vincent’s Table provides fresh food each week to undocumented and struggling families via New York’s St. Francis Breadline. 

He helps the Homeless Leadership Study program, led by eight formerly homeless men and women, which distributes 1,000 sandwiches weekly in Harlem and builds community among New York City's homeless through scripture study and social justice initiatives.  

Br. Chris stays connected with 23 formerly homeless young women from New York and Paterson who graduated from the University of Mount St. Vincent, where he served as the resident chaplain for 12 years. With Fr. Ron Pecci, OFM, and Fr. Ben Taylor, OFM, who served as the program director and mentor, Br. Chris worked with women who later became nurses, bilingual teachers and social workers serving communities in New York City and along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Br. Chris is compiling an archive of over 600 items connected with Fr. Mychal and is helping to organize a NYC museum exhibit on the 40+ years of three Franciscans as FDNY chaplains.   

Sixty-three years after he professed his first vows as a friar, Br. Chris still finds this life of service to be a blessing.  

“Who has it better than a friar?” he asks with a smile. “Who has it better than me?” 

Br. Chris Keenan, OFM, became involved in the recovery efforts after his commission as an FDNY chaplain following the 9/11 attacks. Here he speaks with firefighters at Ground Zero. He had doubts about accepting the commission to follow Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM, who was the tragedy’s first casualty. “We know you’ve given your life for us as our chaplain,” the firefighters told him when he joined them, he said in a documentary about Fr. Mychal’s legacy. “We know you’re ours. Don’t you ever forget that all 11,000 of us are yours.” (Photo courtesy of Br. Chris Keenan, OFM)

On June 27, the historic St. Peter in the Loop Parish in downtown Chicago marked a major milestone —150 years of ministry in the heart of the city—with a celebratory Mass led by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo, CFR, pastor Br. Michael Fowler, OFM, and guardian Br. Bob Hutmacher, OFM, assisted by then Deacon Br. Raphael Ozoude, OFM. 

Founded to serve the spiritual needs of Chicago’s bustling business district and tourists pouring into the city, St. Peter’s has long been a sanctuary for locals and visitors alike. In 1953, Cardinal Samuel Stritch envisioned the church as a beacon of peace and divine mercy amid the city’s commercial core and said:   

“The new St. Peter’s will be a church where countless souls will find peace, strength and light from God. The sons of St. Francis will be in the very midst of the activities of our great metropolis, as they were in the squares and the thoroughfares of old, inviting all to come and taste the sweetness of the love and mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”  

Today, that vision continues to resonate, as the parish celebrates a century and a half of Franciscan presence and pastoral outreach in the Loop.  Recently, the current Archbishop of Chicago Blase Cupich thanked the friars for their ministry there saying, “St. Peter’s Church in the Loop holds a special place in the hearts of parishioners, downtown office workers and visitors to our city. Since their earliest days at the parish, the Franciscans have fostered ‘what has come to be known as the spirit of St. Peter’s Church – service to all in the quest of spiritual comfort, particularly in the confessional,’ as understood in the book, ‘A History of the Parishes of the Archdiocese of Chicago.’ 

He added, “On behalf of the Archdiocese of Chicago, I offer deep gratitude to the Franciscans of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe for their outstanding pastoral leadership and stewardship of the parish and to all of you as you continue to share the joy of the Gospel in service to one another and the community. During this time focused on spiritual renewal for our local church, may your worship, witness and willingness to cultivate Catholic faith grounded in God and neighbor continue to ensure a vibrant faith community at St. Peter’s now and for generations to come.” 

This history of St. Peter’s in the Loop was compiled by Br. Mario DiCicco, OFM, from sources in 2021 and updated in 2025.   

St. Peter’s German roots 

Following the Chicago fire in 1872, Bishop Administrator of Chicago Thomas Foley invited Franciscans to take charge of St. Peter's Church. Fr. Maurice responded that he could not accept the offer at the time, but he would gladly as soon as circumstances permitted.  

The time came three years later in 1875, thanks to Chancellor Otto bon Bismarck who, through his Kulturkampf (Germany's fight against Catholic culture), suppressed Franciscan friaries in Germany and forced over 100 Franciscans to seek a new home in the United States. The exiles reached Teutopolis, Illinois, on July 3 and 4, 1858, beginning what became Sacred Heart Province.  

On July 29, 1875, the first Franciscans – five friars, including pastor Br. Liborius Schaefermeyer, OFM – arrived at St. Peter's. Parishioners had been frightened into believing that the “monks” were to take over for themselves the church, the school, the house and lots, and that the parish had to support three or four priests instead of one. The slogan went around: “If Bismarck didn’t want them, neither do we.” Parishioners even petitioned the bishop to reconsider. 

OFM brothers joined Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo, CFR, in celebrating 150 years of ministry at St. Peter’s in the Loop Church. (Photo courtesy of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Franciscans move in 

The situation improved the following Monday when the bishop celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s and introduced the Franciscans, making it clear that they were here to stay.  

The following Sunday, Br. Liborius allayed parishioners’ suspicions by gently explaining the parable of the Good Samaritan. He concluded his homily saying he and his fellow friars had come not to rob them of their earthly goods but to save their souls and to lead them to eternal bliss.  Parishioners’ hearts softened and gave way to confidence. Br. Liborius became a beloved parish father whose name was held in blessing. Besides building a new school and other improvements, he focused on parishioners' spiritual growth. 

The spiritual welfare of the church 

With the Franciscans’ coming, St. Peter’s assumed a new role. After the Chicago fires, hundreds of the staunchest Catholic families moved out. Railroad stations and freight depots, warehouses and wholesale houses moved in.  

As a result, St. Peter’s parish grew smaller. But as a spiritual center, it became a symbol of that Good Samaritan Br. Liborius prophetically preached in his first sermon. Franciscans poured the curative oil of absolution on the wounds of penitents and administered the nourishment of the Eucharistic bread to countless travelers on their way to God. 

Chicago Catholics beat a path to the church. Travelers came from railroad terminals and hotels, including bishops and priests. As many as 50 visiting bishops and priests a day celebrated Mass at St. Peter’s. 

Franciscans were on call all day, every day. Colorful, talented and energetic brothers and beloved pastors were stationed at Old St. Peter’s from 1875 until 1953. By the 1940s, the church on Polk and Clark had deteriorated. The need for a new church was evident. Cardinal Stritch and Provincial Minister Br. Juvenal Emmanuel, OFM, gave permission to build one on Madison Street in The Loop. Work began in June 1950. The present St. Peter’s Church was dedicated on Sept. 7, 1953.  

In over 70 years since St. Peter’s opened on Madison Street, Franciscans and lay staff have welcomed politicians, bankers, lawyers, construction workers, store employees, travelers, vacationers and thousands of others from Chicago and everywhere to this holy space. 

Visit the friars at St. Peter’s in the Loop at 110 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602. A list of Mass times can be found at StPetersLoop.org. 

Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo, CFR, celebrated Mass to commemorate the friars’ 150 years of service at St. Peter’s in the Loop, Chicago. The current church was dedicated in 1953. (Photo courtesy of St. Peter’s in the Loop)

Fr. Seán Murnan, OFM, 82, died on Aug. 25, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A native of Ohio, he spent his ministry as a missionary in New Mexico, Mexico and Peru.  

The Reception of the Body and Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2, beginning at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 562 Atrisco Dr SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Albuquerque, in the friars’ plot. A reception will be held in the parish hall afterward. 

Fr. Seán was born April 28, 1943, to Robert and Viola Murnan in Cincinnati, Ohio. The second of six children, he was baptized at St. Martin Church in Cheviot, Ohio, and attended Elder High School in Cincinnati. After high school, he attended Michigan Technological University, majoring in forestry and biological sciences. While in his second year of college, he felt called to become a priest and contacted the Franciscans. He worked for a roofing and sheet-metal business from 1964 until August 1966, when he entered the novitiate. One year later, he professed his first vows as a Franciscan. 

He completed his bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Duns Scotus College in Southfield, Michigan, and received a Master of Divinity degree from St. Leonard College in Centerville, Ohio. He made his solemn profession on Sept. 5, 1970, at St. Leonard College and was ordained there on June 9, 1973. 

Reflecting on his time in initial formation years later, Fr. Seán wrote “As I continued on toward solemn profession in the Order of Friars Minor and toward ordination to the priesthood, the sense of emptiness subsided, and I began to experience a sense of happiness and peace that has, for the most part, remained with me ever since,” he said. “I am convinced God has called me to my present life and he continues to call me to fulfill his mission on this earth. I am also convinced that my own happiness is inexorably connected to my cooperating with his call. … I really believe we are a brotherhood and I try to live out that belief in my relationships within the province.” 

Following ordination, Fr. Seán served the people of Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico, as assistant pastor of St. Joseph Parish for a year and a half, before serving as pastor of the parish in Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico, from 1974 to 1979. He returned to the Midwest in 1979, serving as assistant pastor of St. Louis Parish in Batesville, Indiana, for a month, and assistant pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine district of Cincinnati for five months. Fr. Seán returned to Laguna Pueblo in 1980, serving first as assistant pastor, then pastor until 1991, caring for six churches in six villages. In addition, he served on the Pueblo Board for legacy Our Lady of Guadalupe Province from 1986 to 1992.  

From 1987 to 1991, and again from 1996 to 2012, he served on the province’s auto policy and purchasing committee and as provincial auto coordinator. Fr. Seán also served several times as a Provincial Councilor, from 1991 to 1992, 1997 to 2000, and 2010 to 2012, while also serving as minister delegate, parochial vicar and chronicler for Parroquia de San Francisco in Juárez, Mexico and caring for the nearby parishes of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Margaret of Cortona. From 1994 to 1996, he ministered at Misión Franciscana in Peru.  

Fr. Seán then returned to the United States to serve as pastor of San Jose Parish in Los Ojos, New Mexico and guardian of the friary from 1997 to 2000. He also served as provincial chronicler from 1999 to 2002. In 2002, he became pastor of St. Anthony Mission, Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico, serving in that role until 2011, and also serving as guardian of the friary from 2002 to 2009. From 2003 to 2009, and again from 2013 to 2015, he served on the provincial finance committee. He served on the province’s business advisory committee in 2013 and 2015, and on the Chapter steering committee in 2014.  

In 2012, Fr. Seán became pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Peña Blanca, New Mexico, while also serving as guardian. In 2014, he took a yearlong sabbatical before serving as provincial treasurer while living at Our Lady of the Angels Friary in Ava, Missouri. Since 2019, Fr. Sean had resided at San Juan Diego Friary in Albuquerque.  

Fr. Seán is survived by survived by his sisters Sue Spohr and Mary Espich, brother Mark and his fellow friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

Answering the call to the priesthood as a Franciscan friar is to combine the sacred duties of sacramental and pastoral ministry with the enduring spirit of fraternity.  

On a sweltering Friday afternoon in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Brothers Noé Alfaro Casas, OFM, Raphael Nnabuikem Ozoude III, OFM, and Matthew Thomas Ryan, OFM, were ordained to the priesthood. 

With Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., as presiding and ordaining prelate, more than 110 friars and postulants, along with friends, family and parishioners, gathered at Holy Family Catholic Church on Aug. 22, 2025, from points far and near in the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

Bishop Stowe, addressing the congregation in both English and Spanish, invited those present to remember how ministry began imperfectly for Christ’s Apostles. 

“Rafael, Matthew and Noé are certainly more impressive than the original 12 were,” he said. “I mean, these guys have excellent education, rich backgrounds from a variety of places – Nigeria, Mexico and Kentucky! 

“They have received first-class formation in a community of brothers who affirm and challenge, who invite them to be the best they can be and who believe in them.” 

[READ BISHOP STOWE’S HOMILY HERE] 

##ImageBlockToken|path=/2025/august-2025/ordination-albuquerque-1.png|alt=Provincial Councilor Br. Roger Lopez, OFM, lays hands on Br. Raphael Nnabuikem Ozoude III, OFM, during an ordination Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “With the ... Holy Spirit’s power passed on through the laying of hands, Matthew, Rafael and Noé will be set aside to preach, lead and sanctify the people of God,” said Bishop John Stowe, OFM, Conv., who presided the ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Br. Octavio Duran, OFM) ##

‘Jesus sees something in these friars’ 

Provincial Minister Br. Lawrence Hayes, OFM, concelebrant, with deacon Br. Henry Fulmer, OFM, presented the three candidates before the congregation and polite applause rose to a hearty crescendo. 

Each knelt before Bishop Stowe for their promises of obedience and the examination of candidates in the Rite of Ordination. 

With moving musical accompaniment in a liturgical music program by Br. Rufino Zaragoza, OFM, candidates lay prostrate and listened as the congregation asked the communion of saints to pray for all. 

The three knelt before Br. Larry, who, following the tradition from his own ordination, gently enclosed their prayer-folded hands within his own—a ritual that links these Franciscans to the very origins of their Order and to the Apostles. 

Then, filing before them, dozens of friars processed one by one to lay hands on the new priests. The poignant exchange between experienced priests and those newly ordained contained decades of supplication and wisdom. 

“Jesus sees something in these friars and believes in them – even more than they believe in him,” Bishop Stowe said. “With the same Holy Spirit’s power passed on through the laying of hands, Matthew, Rafael and Noé will be set aside to preach, lead and sanctify the people of God.” 

##ImageBlockToken|path=/2025/august-2025/ordination-albuquerque-2.png |alt=Candidates for ordination lay prostrate in the nave. This posture is a poignant sign that emphasizes their dependence on God and others’ prayers. It is a self-emptying gesture that symbolizes a surrender of oneself to the church in religious life. (Photo courtesy of Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)  ##

‘Taking me where the Spirit leads’ 

Readings from the Books of Jeremiah and Hebrews highlighted key themes for those chosen to proclaim the Word.  

From Jeremiah 1:4-9: “Do not be afraid ... for I am with you to deliver you – oracle of the Lord.” From Hebrews 5:1-10: “No one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God.”  

These men have chosen to step into a vocation that beckons them to celebrate the Eucharist and proclaim the Gospel, to shepherd souls with compassion, guidance and witness, meeting the needs of communal life while serving with Franciscan hearts.  

Since their initial formation, they have discerned a call to the priesthood within the Franciscan tradition through prayer, study and ministry. 

“I love parish life, especially working with young adults and families,” Br. Noé said. 

“I see ordination taking me where the Spirit leads,” Br. Matt said. “I pray that I will be a good priest using my gifts for the greater glory of our God who loves us all for who we are.” 

##imageBlock3##

‘The call to live the very mysteries that we celebrate’ 

They joined with Bishop Stowe and Br. Larry for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, bringing each face to face with those in the congregation who came to celebrate them. 

Before all concluded the Mass in song with “Go Make of All Disciples,” Br. Larry thanked the bishop, Holy Family Parish and staff, and families of the newly ordained. “The Church is richer because of you,” he said, then expressed gratitude to their many formators. 

“There have been formal formators, friar friends and mentors and guides in various ministries. There have been friendships and pushes and prods. Thanks to the brotherhood for being here and thanks for your part in forming our three new brother priests.” 

As the congregation moved toward the parish hall for the reception, the words of Bishop Stowe remained as the Order officially welcomed the new priests as a call to the lives they’ll live from this day forward. 

“Yes, our priestly ministry is of the greatest importance for the sanctification of the people of God, but so is the call to live the very mysteries that we celebrate and witness through the presence and nearness of God to God’s people – in and through us – and in and through them,” Bishop Stowe said. 

Is God calling you to bring people closer to Him? Discern your calling with the Franciscans. Contact us to learn more. 

[WATCH THE ORDINATION HERE] 

On a warm, late-summer Saturday afternoon in Albuquerque, New Mexico, five friars from the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe entered Holy Family Catholic Church, filled with anticipation about how that day would shape the course of their lives. 

Brothers Edgar Alberto, OFM, Daniel Cruz, OFM, Jimmy Kernan, OFM, Adolfo R. Mercado, OFM, and Joshua Richter, OFM, made their solemn vows on Aug. 23 in a ceremony witnessed by an intimate congregation of family, friends and friars. 

Provincial Minister Br. Lawrence Hayes, OFM, presided at the Mass and encouraged attendees to consider where Christ speaks to them today and how they seek him. 

“The occasion of solemn profession is an excellent time for each friar here to answer the question: ‘Why do you stay Franciscan?’” he said in his homily. 

This introspection guides all friars each year as they renew their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and continue on their Franciscan journeys. 

“Christ’s presence occurs in our fraternal relationships, which keep us caught up in, and part of, the ongoing incarnation (particularization) of God’s love through our mutual interaction,” Br. Larry said of remaining Franciscan in trying times. 

##ImageBlock1##

Vows as liberating, not restrictive 

The five friars present have experienced Franciscan life in fraternity since they became postulants. As they moved from postulancy to novitiate to professing simple vows, they tried on this vocation in meaningful ways, volunteering to follow in Francis’ path. 

Solemn profession is when a friar fully commits to a life of Franciscan service, taking vows seen by many friars as liberating rather than restrictive. 

"The best way to live the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in today’s world is to listen to the Holy Spirit like St. Francis of Assisi did during his time,” Br. Edgar said.  

“The Holy Spirit will guide me and help me to discern the signs of the times.”  

This reference to a higher calling mirrors scripture from the day’s liturgy, 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19, urging us to prioritize spiritual matters over earthly concerns. “Speak, for your servant is listening,” Samuel said. 

Br. Daniel relates to Samuel's experience when the Lord called him at night. “I have aspirations, but life unfolds in different ways,” he said. “Right now, I am open to the voice of the Spirit.” 

##ImageBlock2##

An uplifting experience for all 

Br. Larry called the candidates for the rite of profession and presented them to the congregation, which consisted of friars, as well as friends, family and visitors and others.   

The congregation’s spirited applause swiftly intensified into a standing ovation, accompanied by enthusiastic vocal expressions. After a brief pause, the candidates lay prostrate in the nave while Holy Family’s choir sang the litany of the saints in English and Spanish on their behalf. 

A sense of reverence filled the midcentury church. The voices lifted in song felt as if they emanated from above. It was an uplifting experience for all. 

“There have been times when I have felt a bit depleted, but then a note, message, comment or observation helps me re-orient myself and the relationship with God,” Br. Adolfo said. 

##ImageBlock3##

Friars came from everywhere 

With Br. Henry Fulmer, OFM, serving as deacon and with music by Br. Rufino Zaragoza, OFM, the Mass had a distinctly intimate Franciscan quality.  

The event echoed Br. Larry’s homily as brothers gathered for lively conversation and laughter during the reception that followed. Friars from everywhere in the unified province showed their support for the newly professed brothers, demonstrating their commitment. 

Br. Larry quoted the words of Br. Murray Bodo, OFM, expressed eloquently in a recent series titled, Franciscan Wisdom in Time of Crisis. 

“[I am] convinced that the gift of Franciscans for the world today is our own interrelating as brothers, our fraternitas,” Br. Murray wrote. “In our fraternitas, we find our own identities defined and clarified and thereby find the hope that carries us on as well.” 

“In fraternitas, separate individuals become a ‘we.’” 

Brothers Edgar, Daniel, Jimmy, Adolfo and Joshua left the parish hall, knowing their commitment will impact both their lives and those they serve. 

“I was overwhelmed by the number of friars from all over the province and their fraternal support over the weekend, but also over these years of formation,” Br. Jimmy said. "This was a great reminder that we journey this life together as brothers. It is such a joy and comfort to know that I have so many wonderful friars supporting me.” 

Interested in life as a Franciscan friar? Contact our vocations team to learn more. 

[WATCH THE SOLEMN PROFESSION HERE] 

Recently published books penned by Franciscan writers are sure to help inspire and enlighten you, deepen your spirituality and enhance your ministry.  

“Chasing Rainbows — Walking in the Footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi with the Beautiful Mescalero Apache People” by Br. Larry Gosselin, OFM, of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, brings together the author’s Franciscan spirituality with the culture and faith of the Native American community that captured his heart. The Apache belief that rainbows symbolize harmony after struggle, and St. Francis’s vision of radical connection, fuse in a powerful and personal account of Br. Larry’s ministry among the Mescalero Apache. His stories of sweat lodges under starlight, shared grief over lost traditions, the quiet grace of elders who taught him that “rainbows are the Creator’s way of mending torn skies,” dissolve the walls we build between “us” and “them,” revealing how "isolation melts when we listen instead of judge.” “Chasing Rainbows” may be purchased through Tau Publishing. 

The Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University has released the second book in a series focused on mission integration in Franciscan institutions. “Franciscan Mission and Organizational Development: A Socio-Analytic Perspective” is authored by Fr. David B. Couturier, OFM. Cap., executive director of the Franciscan Institute and associate professor of theology and Franciscan studies. Fr. David notes that, while all institutions — from governments to corporations — struggle to maintain coherence and continuity, religious organizations, especially those dedicated to serving the poor and marginalized, face unique and vital challenges. These organizations are called to remain faithful to their founding charisms in a world that often overlooks their spiritual and communal contributions. The book explores how leaders can use mission-driven strategies to help their organizations thrive during challenging times. It may be ordered through Franciscan Institute Publications. 

In early August, Franciscan friars from the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Siena University community welcomed the Caravan of Empathy to Loudonville, New York.

The caravan sought to raise awareness and appreciation for immigrants by highlighting their positive impact on the New York State’s economy. Its 1,000-mile trek began on Long Island on Aug. 2 and concluded in Buffalo six days later, traveling through more than 50 New York communities. It was organized by Rural & Migrant Ministry, a faith-led non-profit that provides support to immigrants working throughout New York State.

On Aug. 4, the caravan made a stop at Siena’s Grotto at the invitation of The Laudato Si' Center for Integral Ecology. The center is led by director Br. Michael Perry, OFM, and associate director Br. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM.

Nearly 40 friars and Siena community members gathered at the Grotto to greet the caravan. Br. Jacek shared the words of the late Pope Francis who, in the encyclical Laudato Si', underscored the link between migration and the climate crisis and urged humanity to act to restore dignity to the excluded.

"As we welcomed the Empathy Caravan at the Grotto, [Siena] Saints prayed for the more than 60,000 farmworkers in New York, many of whom are immigrants who help put food on our tables," said Br. Jacek. "We grieved over the fact that immigrant farmworkers live in fear of being torn apart from their families and uprooted from their communities."

The caravan hoped to broadcast a message to all corners of the state that New York communities are stronger when all residents are being cherished.  

A video interview featuring key leaders of the caravan can be found at Instagram.

Information and photos for this article were provided by Siena University.

En esta entrega final de la serie Sabiduría Franciscana, el Hno. Ken Himes, OFM, teólogo y profesor emérito del Boston College, destaca el énfasis del fallecido Papa Francisco en una “policrisis” global que abarca guerras, el cambio climático y otros desafíos, subrayando la necesidad de instituciones globales eficaces y una fraternidad universal basada en la dignidad humana. 

 El Hno. Ken enfatiza que la Iglesia está llamada a encarnar la unidad afirmando la dignidad de cada persona y trascendiendo fronteras, inspirado en la parábola del Buen Samaritano. Desde la perspectiva Franciscana, concluye, esto implica involucrarse con organizaciones internacionales para promover la justicia estructural, reflejando la idea de fraternidad junto con la libertad y la igualdad. 

Leer en Español

Franciscan Wisdom Series

Kenneth Himes, OFM Article

In this final installment of the Franciscan Wisdom series, Br. Ken Himes, OFM, a theologian and professor emeritus at Boston College, makes note of the late Pope Francis’ emphasis on a global "polycrisis" involving wars, climate change and other challenges, emphasizing the need for effective global institutions and universal fraternity rooted in human dignity.  

Br. Ken emphasizes that the Church is called to embody unity by affirming the dignity of every person and transcending borders, inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan. From the Franciscan perspective, he surmises, this entails engaging with international organizations to promote structural justice, reflecting the idea of fraternity alongside liberty and equality.

En el inicio de su mensaje a la Academia Pontificia de las Ciencias, escrito el 26 de febrero desde su habitación de hospital, el papa Francisco observó que estamos en medio de lo que llamó una "policrisis". Con este término hacía referencia a una "coyuntura histórica… en la que convergen las guerras, los cambios climáticos, los problemas energéticos, las epidemias, el fenómeno migratorio y la innovación técnica". Para él, es un momento de "crisis compleja y planetaria", que nos insta a "valorar los instrumentos con un alcance global"

>Por desgracia, como indicó, también hay una "irrelevancia progresiva de los organismos internacionales". Sin embargo, urgió Francisco, citándose a sí mismo de la encíclica Fratelli tutti, "debemos seguir comprometiéndonos con determinación por 'organizaciones mundiales más eficaces, dotadas de autoridad para asegurar el bien común mundial, la erradicación del hambre y la miseria, y la defensa cierta de los derechos humanos elementales'".1

En el Vaticano II, los obispos proclamaron que "la promoción de la unidad pertenece a la naturaleza más íntima de la Iglesia" y que esta sirve como un "signo sacramental" de "la unidad de toda la raza humana".2 El Papa Francisco tomó esa enseñanza en serio y la vinculó a su reflexión sobre la parábola del buen samaritano en Fratelli tutti. Esa parábola es la clave interpretativa de toda la encíclica, ya que Francisco vio en el samaritano a alguien capaz de trascender fronteras y límites para involucrarse con la víctima herida que yacía en el camino como un congénere con dignidad y valor.

Toda la encíclica procura ilustrar que la fraternidad en un sentido verdadero es universal; y "la fraternidad universal exige necesariamente el reconocimiento del valor de toda persona humana siempre y en todas partes".3 Esto es lo que se requiere para que la Iglesia sea una señal auténtica de la unidad de la raza humana. El Papa Francisco siguió en afirmar que tal fraternidad universal conlleva el compromiso de que "todo ser humano tiene derecho a vivir con dignidad y a desarrollarse integralmente." Tal compromiso no debe estar basado en la circunstancia de dónde uno reside, sino "en el valor intrínseco" de cada persona.4

Por supuesto, es imposible para nosotros dar testimonio de la fraternidad de igual forma con personas que están al otro lado del mundo que con un fraile compañero de la provincia. Pero Francisco, en su discurso a la Asamblea General de la ONU, indicó el camino para aproximarse al tema al estipular que "la justicia es una condición esencial para alcanzar el ideal de la fraternidad universal".5 Si afirmamos que alguien es nuestro hermano o hermana, como mínimo le debemos el respeto a su dignidad y promover los derechos humanos fundamentales que protegen la protegen.

Al pensar así, Francisco seguía un camino establecido por sus predecesores. Por ejemplo, Benedicto XVI dejó en claro que la acción social es el "camino institucional: podríamos llamarlo también el camino político de la caridad, no menos excelente y eficaz que el tipo de caridad que se encuentra con el prójimo de forma directa".6 La justicia se entiende como la expresión política de la caridad o la traducción de esta en los acuerdos institucionales de la sociedad.

Podríamos decir que las instituciones sociales se convierten en las mediadoras de la fraternidad universal al tratar con hermanos y hermanas lejanos con quienes no nos encontraremos personalmente.

Francisco dejó en claro que así es como debemos pensar en el ámbito de la política como hermanos menores de los demás; "la caridad no se expresa únicamente en las relaciones cercanas e íntimas, sino también en las 'macrorelaciones: sociales, económicas y políticas'".7

Por lo tanto, los frailes debemos preocuparnos por instituciones y estructuras internacionales como la ONU, el Banco Mundial, el Fondo Monetario Internacional, la Organización Mundial de la Salud y tratados y acuerdos internacionales diversos, porque la caridad o la justicia política es una "fuerza capaz de inspirar nuevas maneras de abordar los problemas del mundo actual, de renovar desde dentro las estructuras, las organizaciones sociales y los sistemas jurídicos en profundidad".8  Franciscans International y Franciscan Action Network son solo dos de los grupos que supervisan y participan con las instituciones políticas y económicas; hay muchas otras ONG que trabajan también en el campo de la justicia estructural e institucional.

La famosa consigna de la Revolución Francesa de 1789 fue Liberté, Égalité et Fraternité. Desde entonces, en todo el mundo se implementaron diversos esquemas políticos liberales y socialistas que pretenden inspirarse en la libertad o la igualdad. En gran medida, se ha descuidado una política basada en la fraternidad. El papa Francisco, en consonancia con la amplia tradición del pensamiento social católico, izó el ideal de la fraternidad como una aspiración de los creyentes cristianos en respuesta a la policrisis de nuestro tiempo. Si nosotros, como franciscanos, la orden de los hermanos menores, no respondemos ante tal aspiración, ¿cómo no seremos vistos como quienes no aprovechamos el momento?

At the beginning of his message to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, written from his hospital room on February 26, Pope Francis observed that we are in the midst of what he called a “polycrisis.” By the term he meant an “historical juncture . . . in which wars, climate changes, energy problems, epidemics, the migratory phenomenon and technical innovation converge.” To his mind it is a time of “complex and planetary crisis,” one that urges us “to value instruments with a global reach.

Unfortunately, as he noted, there is also a “progressive irrelevance of international bodies.” Yet, Francis urged, quoting himself from the encyclical Fratelli tutti, “we must continue to commit ourselves with determination for ‘more effective world organizations, equipped with the power to provide for the common good, the elimination of hunger and poverty, and the sure defense of fundamental human rights.

At Vatican II, the bishops proclaimed that “the promotion of unity belongs to the innermost nature of the Church” and that the Church serves as a “sacramental sign” of “the unity of the whole human race”2 Pope Francis took that teaching to heart and tied it to his reflection on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Fratelli tutti. That parable is the interpretive key to the entire encyclical as Francis saw in the Samaritan someone who could transcend borders and boundaries to engage the wounded victim lying on the road as a fellow human being with dignity and worth.

The entire encyclical is meant to illustrate that fraternity in the true sense is universal; and “universal fraternity necessarily calls for an acknowledgement of the worth of every human person always and everywhere.”3 That is what is required in order for the Church to be an authentic sign of the unity of the human race. Pope Francis went on to claim such universal fraternity entails the commitment that “every human being has the right to live with dignity and to develop integrally.” Such a commitment ought not be premised on the circumstance of where one lives, but “on the intrinsic worth” of each person.

Of course, it is impossible for us to witness to fraternity in the same way with people halfway around the world as we do with a fellow friar in the province. But Francis, in his address to the U.N. General Assembly, indicated the way to approach the matter when he stipulated that “justice is an essential condition for achieving the ideal of universal fraternity.”5 If we claim someone is our brother or sister the very least we owe them is to respect their dignity and promote those fundamental human rights that protect that dignity.

In thinking this way, Francis was continuing on a path laid out by his predecessors. For instance, Benedict XVI made clear that social action is the “institutional path – we might also call it the political path of charity, no less excellent and effective than the kind of charity which encounters the neighbor directly.”6 Justice is understood as the political expression of charity, or the translation of charity into the institutional arrangements of society.

We might say that social institutions become the mediators of universal fraternity when dealing with distant brothers and sisters who we will not encounter personally.

Francis made clear that is how we should think about the realm of politics as lesser brothers to others; “charity finds expression not only in close and intimate relationships but also in ‘macro-relationships: social, economic and political.

Hence, we friars ought to care for international institutions and structures such as the U.N., World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Health Organization, and various international treaties and agreements, because political charity or justice is a “force capable of inspiring new ways of approaching the problems of today’s world, of profoundly renewing structures, social organizations and legal systems from within.”8  Franciscans International and the Franciscan Action Network are just two of the groups who monitor and engage with political and economic institutions; there are a host of other NGOs also laboring in the field of structural and institutional justice.

The famous slogan of the French Revolution of 1789 was Liberté, Égalité et Fraternité. Since then various liberal and socialist political schemes claiming inspiration based on liberty or equality have been implemented across the globe. What has been largely neglected is a politics founded on fraternity. Pope Francis, in keeping with the broad tradition of Catholic social thought, held up the ideal of fraternity as an aspiration for Christian believers in response to the polycrisis of our time. If we as Franciscans, the order of lesser brothers, do not act on such an aspiration, how could we not be seen as failing to seize the moment?

Fr. Ignatius Smith, OFM, 94, passed away on Aug. 14, 2025, at Teresian House in Albany, New York. During his 74 years as a friar, Fr. Ignatius served as a missionary in Brazil, as a U.S. Navy chaplain, and as a pastor of parishes in New York and South Carolina.   

A viewing and prayer service was held on Monday, Aug. 18, at the friary chapel at Siena University in Loudonville, New York. His body will be transferred to St. Anthony of Padua Church in Butler, New Jersey, where a viewing will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Butler.  

Fr. Ignatius was born on Nov. 8, 1930, and grew up near the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in northeast Washington, D.C. He was one of three children of Francis, a lawyer, and Mary L. Smith (née Russell), who became a homemaker after growing up on a farm. Ignatius attended St. Cecilia Grammar School and St. John’s High School, both located in Washington. During his senior year of high school, two college students who were friars encouraged him to pursue becoming a Franciscan, and he subsequently enrolled at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, New York, that September. According to a 2013 article in the Anderson (S.C.) Independent, he credited these friars with influencing his decision to become a Franciscan priest.   

He was received into the Order of Friars Minor on Aug. 12, 1950, in Paterson, New Jersey, and professed first vows there one year later. He made his solemn profession at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, New York, on Aug. 13, 1954, and was ordained on Sept. 8, 1956, in Washington, D.C.  

After a year of pastoral ministry at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, he embarked on a decade-long mission to Goiás, Brazil. In a parish that spanned more than 1,000 miles, Fr. Ignatius traveled by mule during the six-month dry season to minister in a land with no electricity.  While there, he became fluent in Portuguese.  

After returning to the United States in 1968, he spent one year updating this theological education following the Second Vatican Council before serving for 23 years as a Navy Chaplain Corps captain, offering the sacraments and providing counseling on bases and ships.   

He was assigned to the U.S.S. Sanctuary, a hospital vessel and the first ship to carry female sailors, and the U.S.S. Nimitz, on which he met President Gerald Ford. He served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. He also served at Virginia’s Naval Amphibious Base and was Senior Chaplain at Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s biggest naval base. He also served at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Twentynine Palms in California's Mojave Desert, and as harbor captain at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His final assignment was in Okinawa, Japan, with the Marine Corps.   

After retiring from the military in 1992, Fr. Ignatius wrote in an online essay published by the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province that he embraced the challenge of Navy life and chaplaincy. “I was there, in this very secular environment, to help put God in his rightful place in their young lives. The Franciscan habit, when worn, was greatly respected and helped the formation of these young sailors and marines.”  

From 1992 to 1993, Fr. Ignatius served as parochial vicar at St. Anne Parish in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, then in the same role at St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, for three years. Between 1995 and 2012, he served as pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Callicoon, New York, where he revived the Catholic Youth Organization, hosted community events and engaged his congregation with memorable, story-focused sermons.   

He retired for three months before requesting a new assignment, relocating to Anderson, South Carolina, where he was pastor and interim administrator of St. Joseph Catholic Church. At age 82, he led a parish of 650 families and served as a pastoral counselor.  

“Every place I’ve gone, the people have been great,” Fr. Ignatius told the Independent in 2013. “I try to bring people closer to God, to help them realize their spiritual potential.”  

He ministered at St. Francis Chapel in Albany, New York, from 2015 to 2019 and lived at St. Bernadine of Siena Friary in Loudonville, New York, until 2022, when he moved to the Teresian House in Albany.  

Fr. Ignatius was determined to serve for as long as he could, saying “I’d rather wear out than rust away.” He was treasured for his self-deprecating humor, which often emerged in his homilies.  

Fr. Ignatius is survived by his nephews and nieces: retired Col. Christopher G. Wright, USMCR, Michael A. Smith, Dr. Mary E. Wright, Kathleen S. Smith and Todd E. Smith, as well as many grandnephews and nieces, and his friar brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.   

The third video in the series is scheduled for a late 2025 release, showcasing the story of St. Francis and the first crèche at Greccio.

A world leader in the fight to address the climate crisis has been awarded an honorary degree from Siena University in Loudonville, New York.  

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was named an honorary doctor of humane letters at a July 15 reception, hosted by friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Siena President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. and Board of Trustees Chairman Tom Baldwin ‘81 presented the degree, along with Br. Michael Perry, OFM, director of Siena’s Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology. 

Antonio delivered the keynote address at last fall’s “Earth’s Cry, Humanity’s Call” symposium, hosted by Siena, where he encouraged young people everywhere “to play a vital role on the front lines for bold climate action.”  

In his introductory remarks at the degree presentation, Chuck referenced the moral call that Antonio issued to Saints last October: “You challenged our students to respond with compassion, courage and resolve to challenges related to peace, pursuit of justice and care for our common home.”  

Br. Michael shared that Siena’s board wanted to recognize the secretary general 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.” 

Siena’s board adopted “Our Resolution on Sustainability” in March 2024, outlining their commitment to supporting “both morally and materially” the University’s efforts to address climate change.