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The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe is sad to share that Fr. Bernard Kennedy, OFM, 66, of Burlington, Wisconsin, died on Oct. 17, 2026, after a brief illness.

Fr. Bernard loved being a Franciscan, and it showed. Despite health challenges from a childhood diagnosis of diabetes, he found joy in simple moments, and he shared that joy. He helped others discover their calling and find a life of fulfillment. He is remembered for his generous heart and devotion to teaching and ministering to high school students, forming young friars and instructing diaconal candidates for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Holy Ghost Church, 2921 Central Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001. Visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 11 a.m., and burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.

Born on May 6, 1960, in Dubuque, to Bernard, Sr. and Delaine (née Freiburger) Kennedy, Fr. Bernard was the only son in a family of nine children. His devout parents raised him in the Catholic faith, and he received both baptism and confirmation at Holy Ghost Parish in Dubuque.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Loras College in Dubuque and later completed a Master of Divinity at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, followed by a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.

He professed first vows with the Order of Friars Minor on Aug. 14, 1984, and solemn vows on Aug. 12, 1987. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1988.

Following ordination, Fr. Bernard taught English, theology and religious studies for 15 years at four different high schools: St. Mary’s in Burlington, Wisconsin; Archbishop Ryan in Philadelphia; Notre Dame in Cicero, Illinois; and Holy Cross/Guerin College Prep in River Grove, Illinois, where he oversaw the theology department and was campus minister.

Early in his ministry, he also served as assistant director of vocations for the Tau Fraternity in St. Francis, Wisconsin, and associate pastor at Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Pulaski, Wisconsin.

In 1995, at the age of 35, Fr. Bernard was featured in a newspaper article for undergoing a kidney transplant. The donor was his sister, Susan, who worked as a nurse at a dialysis clinic in Dubuque. The procedure was a success, and he was more than grateful to his sister for her selfless act of charity. “I think it’s a miracle,” said Fr. Bernard after the surgery, noting how much better he felt. In 2007, Fr. Bernard received a second kidney donation from his sister Peggy.

In 2005, his life took a new direction when his focus shifted to helping men discerning and witnessing the Franciscan life. He served at the St. Joseph Interprovincial Friary as director of the post-novitiate formation program (2005 to 2014), secretary of formation and studies (2005 to 2011), director of ongoing formation (2005 to 2014), director of priestly studies (2005 to 2014) and Provincial Councilor (2005 to 2011) for the legacy Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province.

He also guided men pursuing a call to the diaconate within the Archdiocese of Chicago. Starting in the early 2000s, he taught pastoral theology to diaconal candidates, and he served as director of the Permanent Diaconate program from 2017 to 2020.

Seeking to foster greater understanding between religious groups, he served on the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic/Jewish Relations Committee and received a scholar grant from the Holocaust Foundation of Illinois.

Always wanting to go wherever he was needed, Fr. Bernard also served as chaplain to the Holy Cross Brothers (1995 to 2003) and the Felician Sisters starting in 2017.

From his early years in education through his years forming and caring for his brother friars, Fr. Bernard consistently pursued opportunities to serve others through teaching, pastoral ministry and Franciscan religious life. His extensive service across educational, pastoral and administrative roles reflects strong leadership, intellectual dedication, humility and a steadfast commitment to the Franciscan values of service, community and spiritual growth. His achievements and long record of trusted leadership demonstrate a life marked by generosity, integrity and faithful service to the Church.

Along with his devotion to the Franciscans, Fr. Bernard was an avid gardener. Wherever he lived, Fr. Bernard planted flowers and vegetables, enjoying the work of the harvest.

Fr. Bernard is survived by his friar brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe and his siblings, Ann (Miles) Kiley of Benton, Wisconsin, Susan (Steve) Wagner of Dubuque, Sr. Patricia Kennedy, OSB of St. Joseph’s, Minnesota, Nona (David) Cooper of Dubuque, Kay (Bill) Beaster of Dubuque, Gwen (Don) Hesselman of Dubuque, Peggy (Randy) Dolson of Gunnison, Colorado, and Kerri (Bill) Feldhaus of Hiawatha, Iowa. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

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Around the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, friars and the communities they serve marked the 800th anniversary of the Transitus and feast of St. Francis in many beautiful ways, gathering in prayer, celebration and fraternity.

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Across the province and beyond

Assisi, Italy

Experiencing the Transitus in Assisi – site of Francis’ birth, lifelong conversion and passing – provided Br. Javier Del Ángel De los Santos, OFM, a compelling lens for this point in the life of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

At the Porziuncola, where Francis asked to be laid naked on the bare earth as he prepared to greet Sister Death, Br. Javier reflected on the little poor one’s total surrender to God and Jesus’ image of the grain of wheat that falls to the soil and bears fruit. For Br. Javier, the recent unification of five provinces into a single fraternity brings a similar invitation: to honor cherished histories while trusting in God’s promise of new life amid change.

That hope gained deeper meaning as Br. Javier prayed at Francis’ tomb in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The Transitus became not simply a remembrance of death, but a reminder that passage can lead to new life.

“Bringing five distinct provincial legacies into one single fraternity is not a fraternal burial of our past, but a resurrection into a broader, more vibrant witness,” Br. Javier wrote. “It callsf us to trust that the God who sustained Francis through his passage is the same God leading us through our own Transitus.”

St. Isidore's College, Rome

Many gathered in Assisi for the feast of St. Francis, but Br. Greg Friedman, OFM, and the friars at St. Isidore’s College in Rome, a historic Franciscan community established in 1625, celebrated the Transitus with local friends and guests from the Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs. The community at St. Isidore’s includes Franciscans from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Poland, Slovenia and the United States.

Four new brothers from Africa led various parts of a Transitus service drawn from the Irish Province. Celebrations continued Sunday, when the community welcomed local friends and American visitors for an English-language Mass.

“As always, the Transitus is very personal to each local community,” Br. Greg said.

Duns Scotus Friary, San Antonio

Friars at Duns Scotus Friary, the Province’s house of studies in San Antonio, commemorated the feast of St. Francis with fraternity, Mass and music. Brothers Seraphim Gonzalez, OFM, Michael Fowler, OFM, and Jesus Lara Romero, OFM, were among those participating. Named for the influential medieval Franciscan philosopher Blessed John Duns Scotus, the formation house offered a joyful setting for friars in formation to celebrate the founder of the Order with their brothers.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Durham, North Carolina

Dogs and other furry companions received a generous blessing at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham, North Carolina. Families and pets gathered on the school playground Oct. 3 for the parish’s Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis and his love for God’s creatures.

Mission San José Church, San Antonio

Parishioners at Mission San José Church in San Antonio, a historic Texas mission established in 1720, brought furry friends of all sizes for the blessing of the animals. Cats and dogs arrived on leashes and in loving arms as the community gathered in the mission’s distinctive stone courtyard for the annual Franciscan tradition. (Photos courtesy of Mission San José Church)

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Tampa, Florida

More than 100 neighbors and their pets gathered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida, for the blessing of the animals. Friars and friends from the Franciscan Center welcomed the community to kick off Sacred Heart’s Franciscan celebrations. By the looks of the photos, the pups received their blessings in very good spirits.

San Xavier del Bac Mission, Arizona

San Xavier del Bac Mission near Tucson, Arizona, hosted several days of celebration and prayer for the feast of St. Francis. Pastor Br. Christopher Kersteins, OFM, celebrated Mass during a busy weekend that included a blessing of animals, processions carrying an image of St. Francis, the rosary, community meals at the Feast House and the Transitus. The historic mission has been home to Franciscan ministry since the 18th century.

St. Bonaventure University

Francis Week brought the St. Bonaventure University campus community together around themes of care for creation, compassion, peace, service and presence with those on the margins. Events included daily Mass, service opportunities, a blessing of the animals, and Transitus and feast day liturgies. Br. Kevin Kriso, OFM, blessed animals; he and Br. Larry Ford, OFM, also offered a blessing to students in the university chapel.

St. Clement Friary, Cincinnati

Friars at St. Clement Friary in Cincinnati came together for prayer and the traditional blessing of animals. Among them was Br. Joshua Richter, OFM, a Cincinnati-area native who professed solemn vows in 2025 and was ordained in August. Br. Joshua Richter, OFM, led the Transitus prayer service.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Long Beach Island, New Jersey

Four-legged friends highlighted feast day at St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Families and pets big and small gathered outside the Brant Beach church Oct. 3 for the annual blessing of the animals. Donations of pet food and supplies were collected for a local animal shelter, and the celebration included a pet contest.

St. Peter's in the Loop, Chicago

The St. Peter’s in the Loop community in Chicago commemorated St. Francis’ feast with a blessing of animals, music and prayer. The 800th anniversary of the Transitus came as the historic downtown church celebrates 150 years of Franciscan ministry; friars have served there since 1875. Br. Bob Hutmacher, OFM, led the Transitus service, with Br. Thom Smith, OFM, co-presiding and Music Director Michael Silhavy leading a 12-piece choir.

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How can we stay rooted in the dignity of the human person amid rapidly advancing technology? Br. Steven Patti, OFM, recently considered that question with parishioners at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, during a series of discussions on Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. In this reflection, Br. Steven shares what they discerned about AI, human dignity and the hope found in the Gospel.

Br. Jorge Hernandez, OFM, pastor of St. Camillus Church, asked me if I would give a reflection on Pope Leo’s recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. And so, for three successive Saturdays in September, for two hours each session, a group of us met in the Francis Room to discuss the encyclical, with chairs set up in a circle around the room.

Most had heard about the encyclical, but few, if any, had read it. They were curious and interested in learning more. We looked at several questions: What is an encyclical? What is Leo doing in this encyclical? What did we find in it over our three sessions?

Magnifica Humanitas is lengthy, and much of it is rooted in the Bible and in Catholic Social Teaching. Leo XIV refers to his predecessor in name, Leo XIII, and to Leo’s Rerum Novarum, which addressed the rising industrialization of the late 19th century. We talked about how it was no accident that our modern Leo chose his papal name: Both popes show a deep concern for the centrality of the human person amid rising industrialization and technology, 135 years apart.

The human person in an age of AI

This resonated with people. The group expressed fears: What is happening to our world around us? Where is, and what is the fate of, “the person,” the human person, amid an emerging world of AI? What and whom can I trust amid rising disinformation, surveillance and data collection, and AI as a social companion? What does it mean when AI gives answers without any authentic sense or knowledge of mercy and compassion? What does AI mean for the future of warfare?

‘Humanity at risk’ was a common topic of conversation among the group, along with a sense that the human person is increasingly becoming a cog in a machine. There was also a sense of gratitude for the pope’s words, for his speaking publicly and prophetically about an issue that seems to develop in new ways daily.

Rooted in the Gospel

But the news was not all grim. Even amid an ever-changing technological landscape, Magnifica Humanitas points to the Gospel, to who we are as disciples of Christ in our modern world. Leo reminds us who we are called to be amid this often bewildering and disorienting social change.

He writes beautifully and with hope: “Even in the darkest nights, the Lord raises up men and women who refuse to give up, who persevere in doing good, who protect the vulnerable and open pathways to reconciliation” (MH 211). He adds, “Do not think that the problems are too big, and that we are too small” (MH 212).

And so, what did we find after three Saturday morning sessions?

It felt like modern Church: a naming of the signs of the times, shared voices around the circle, and a shared sense that the Gospel and our entire Christian tradition root us in the centrality and dignity of the human person and in how we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

As Pope Leo ends his encyclical: “With the same faith as Mary, let us become weavers of hope in our world, sharing who we are and what we have, so that the presence of Jesus may grow among us and his kingdom take shape” (MH 245).

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The Cincinnati Art Museum, a world-class cultural institution, will debut a documentary film that explores St. Francis' influence on the development of Western art from the Renaissance to modern movements. Br. Murray Bodo, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is featured in the film that invites viewers to reflect on the remarkable artistic legacy of one of history's most beloved saints. 

The screening of “Saint Francis: The Legacy of an Artist” will take place on Nov. 10, 2026, at 7 p.m. In addition to the film, the Museum will showcase an exhibit of Franciscan-inspired art by contemporary U.S. artists and offer a Q&A with filmmakers and artists behind the project, including Br. Murray. The film will also be shown across the US in 2027. 

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The film was directed by David Whitaker and commissioned by Creo Arts, a national ecumenical nonprofit ministry focused on art and faith.  The film invites people to go deeper in their faith and to reflect on the timeless relevance of Francis’ vision and the enduring power of art to inspire hope, peace and compassion. Br. Murray was filmed in 2025 at his friary in Cincinnati. The timing of the film’s release coincides with the Jubilee Year of St. Francis proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV. 

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“The investiture is a symbolic rite that we have within the Order when a young man takes on the habit of St. Francis. What that leads to is hopefully a deeper conversion in the young man's life. It’s the idea of trying to put on a new man, a new person, a new way of being in the world,” said Br. Gene Pistacchio, OFM, director of novices for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

The ceremony included prayers, hymns, readings from St. Francis and passages from the Gospel. 

Provincial Councilor Br. Colin King, OFM, shared a reflection about this sacred moment in the lives of the novices and its meaning for all friars in the Order of Friars Minor. He emphasized that the habit represents eight centuries of God’s abiding presence, love and mercy, stretching back to the beginnings of the Franciscan movement.  

“The habit symbolizes that as you go throughout your days wearing your habit, you are not just yourself. You're over 800 years of the brothers who have gone before you,” said Br. Colin.  

While the simple habit is a sign of poverty and humility, Br. Colin encouraged the men to see beyond the surface and recognize the greater meaning. 

“The simplicity of our habit isn't about not having things. It's about knowing that in all times, in all places, day and night, everywhere with anyone, that Jesus Christ is enough,” he said. 

Br. David, 41, reflected on the significance of this step in his vocation. 

“To receive the Franciscan habit is a mix of emotions. I'm excited. I'm overjoyed. I'm humbled,” said Br. David. “My experience in fraternity so far has been great. It's a lot of growth in myself and my spiritual life, a lot of growth in my relationship with my brothers, and just a better all-over sense of who I am.” 

Br. Alex, 29, expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to share in the mission of the Franciscans. 

“I've been anticipating this for a long time. It's exciting, and at the same time, I just feel ready. I feel happy that I received the habit and I will be going forward, living out the Gospel. So, I'm really grateful and blessed,” said Br. Alex. 

Br. Jason, 41, celebrated this milestone with faith and fulfillment. 

“Receiving this Franciscan habit was really meaningful to me as a symbol of the life that I'm taking on, that I've already begun, and a way of entering into it at a new and deeper level and a more public level,” said Br. Jason. 

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Becoming who you are called to be 

During the ceremony, the novices also received a cincture (or cord). While these rope belts commonly have three knots, novices wear an unknotted cord. 

“The cord that you will wear for the rest of your novitiate here has no knots, since you have not yet bound yourself to God or to us through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience,” said Br. Michael Reyes, OFM, during the ceremony. 

He blessed the habits and urged the novices to pray that they may follow God’s call to profess solemn vows as friars and dedicate their lives to the Franciscan witness. 

“Pray to the Lord that he may grant you the wisdom to discern our way of life, to be joyful in living it faithfully, and as you prepare to knot your cord at profession, to become the human being and friar the Lord has called you to be,” said Br. Michael. 

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As we celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the Transitus, the death and passage of St. Francis to eternal life, I am reminded of the 2015 people’s pastoral written by the Catholic Committee of Appalachia, The Telling Takes Us Home: Taking Our Place in the Stories that Shape Us. In one section titled “Practicing Resurrection in Crucified Places”, the writers of the document put it quite bluntly, “We crucify Earth and each other in many ways.”¹ The writers express the woes and crucified places of Appalachia, and the damage to the land the fossil fuel industry has inflicted through coal mining and natural gas extraction. Yet, the writer reminds the readers the Christian call as people of the Resurrection. The writers then say,

“However, belief in the possibility of resurrection in particular places requires concrete actions. Practicing resurrection means taking our place in locations, locations with faces, communities, and stories of struggle…Once we find our place, resurrection begins to be possible when we, like Thomas, touch the wounds there.”²

St. Francis’ life shows an embrace of the wounded and all of creation, clearly recognizing them as mother, brother and sister, so clearly sung out in his Canticle of the Creatures. It is from this example that we too may lean into the embrace of the wounded and hurt, including the crucified creation we experience around us. In a number of places in the writings of St. Francis, he calls the brothers to care for the sick brothers and care for them as a mother would. Perhaps it is in this that we understand to care for creation as our brother and sister, to care as a mother would, to nourish and bring back to health, not to destroy.

Practicing resurrection today in crucified places is a journey that remains a long road ahead because it requires first the action of taking creation off the cross of human exploitation and greed. We must move together to take our mother, brother, and sister off the cross, tend to its wounds, and continue to actively live in the hope of resurrection. The Gospel narratives all tell of Mary Magdalene returning to the tomb, carrying ointment and spices with her, in duty for burial rites. Unlike Mary, who was met with the empty tomb and the resurrected Christ, we will need to use our ointments and spices, namely our gifts, talents, and resources to touch the wounds of creation and allow them to be brought to new life.

God will be with us in this journey but are we also not Christ’s hands and feet to collaborate in this work of resurrection?³ As followers of Christ, the Creator, we too must play a role in stewardship and healing of our common home. The action of hope is that this work will bring us into this new resurrection that is possible, as we make our passage, our transitus, from the continuous crucifixion of our mother, brothers and sisters, into new life. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls us to this very ‘ecological conversion,’ where our encounter with Jesus Christ mends our experience of the divine to our call to care for God’s handiwork.⁴ Let us renew our hearts, and make our transitus journey to bringing forth new life in creation.

Br. Jimmy Kernan, OFM, is a PhD student at Arizona State University studying sustainable energy. Before beginning studies, Br. Jimmy served as the Assistant Director of the Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology at Siena University.

This reflection was originally published on FranciscanMonth.org and is republished here with permission. Franciscan Month is a collaborative project among members of the Franciscan Family that offers reflections, events, prayers and other devotional content throughout the month of October. The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe helped curate this year's resources.

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The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe is sad to share that Fr. Bernard Creighton, OFM, 86, of Butler, New Jersey, died on Oct. 7, 2026. For more than 60 years, he devoted his life to service, education and pastoral ministry. He spent decades supporting the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University in Western New York, an international center for research, publishing, and academia dedicated to the study of the Franciscan intellectual tradition, history and theology.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, at St. Anthony Church, 65 Bartholdi Avenue, Butler, New Jersey. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026, at St. Bonaventure University Chapel, 3261 W. State Street, St. Bonaventure, New York. Burial will follow at St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Fr. Bernie was born on December 7, 1939, to Stanley and Helen Creighton (née Palizay) two months early and weighing only two pounds. He spent five months in the hospital until he was strong and healthy enough to be taken home.

He was an only child, and his family ran a milk processing and delivery business in Elmira, New York. He attended Catholic grade school and high school in Elmira and in 1961, he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from St. Bonaventure University, where he met the friars who inspired his vocation.

As a senior, Fr. Bernie was chosen to receive the 1961 Mark Hellinger Award, an annual recognition from St. Bonaventure University’s Jandoli School of Communication that honors outstanding academic achievement in journalism. However, Fr. Bernie declined the award for “up-and-coming journalists” since God was calling him to religious life. Then, in 1991, Fr. Bernie was retrospectively given the honor he had earned as a college student three decades earlier.

At the age of 23, Fr. Bernie entered the Franciscan Order, professing first vows on July 15, 1963, and solemn vows on Aug. 22, 1966. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 16, 1967.

He became a trusted source of knowledge about the history and traditions of the Franciscan community after serving from 1968-1972 as editor of the Provincial Annals, an archival periodical published by the legacy Holy Name Province.

From 1972 to 1994, he worked as librarian and executive secretary at the Franciscan Institute. In this role, he managed administrative operations, oversaw publications and printing projects, proofread scholarly works and welcomed visiting scholars from around the world.

From 1994 to 2026 he served as vicar of the St. Anthony Friary in Butler, New Jersey, where he faithfully handled the daily needs of the friary community.

Fr. Bernie is remembered for being approachable, detailed, humble, knowledgeable and deeply dedicated to others. He embraced the Franciscan ideals of simplicity, hospitality and service, believing that the best part of ministry was working with the people of God and helping them to live in the Spirit of the Lord. When Fr. Bernie celebrated his 50th anniversary of first profession in 2013, he shared that his philosophy of ministry was “to welcome the people of God.”

His warm personality, strong sense of duty, remarkable memory and willingness to assist others made him a respected friar, mentor and friend. Throughout his life, he demonstrated that leadership is often expressed through quiet faithfulness, kindness and a commitment to serving both his religious community and those around him.

Fr. Bernie is survived by his friar brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, cousins Catherine Creighton Saal (Frank), Eugene Creighton (Patricia), James Creighton, Debbie Creighton, Tom Gilmore, Marilyn Lilly (Bill), James Ripley (Marilyn) and a cousin by marriage, Nancy Levanduski.

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As he stood before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Br. Luis Guzman-Martinez, OFM, couldn’t help but think of all who came before him to that very same spot: Generations of pilgrims, carrying hopes and struggles, gratitude and prayers.

Now, accompanied by his brother friars on a recent pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it was Br. Luis’ turn to bring his life and vocation before Mary.

“Having to feel the presence of our Lord in the womb of our Most Holy Mother, reflected in the image on the tilma, was just so moving,” he said. “It’s a moment that I want to remember and keep deeply.”

The visit was part of a September pilgrimage to Mexico City, an opportunity for ongoing formation for friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe co-organized with Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs. Through site visits, prayer, Mass and reflection, the friars encountered more deeply the spirituality of the province's patroness and the story of her appearance to St. Juan Diego at Tepeyac.

Mary’s presence became particularly embodied for Luis through this encounter.

A mother who comes close

“Being at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe made my relationship feel much more personal,” Br. Luis said.

Standing at the site associated with Mary’s apparitions helped him to see her “not simply as an image or devotion, but as a loving mother who continually guides me and everyone toward her Son, Jesus.”

What remained with Br. Luis was the closeness at the heart of the Guadalupe story: Mary meeting Juan Diego where he was, offering words of compassion and pointing beyond herself toward Christ. “I was constantly reminded of Mary’s words of compassion and her desire that we not be afraid,” Br. Luis said. “Our Lady invites me to trust God more, especially when I do not know what lies ahead.”

That remained after the pilgrimage. Br. Luis said Guadalupe reminded him that God is always “close, loving and constant” amid the ordinary rhythms and uncertainties of his own life. In this realization, he found a call to entrust his life, ministry and concerns more fully to God, while noticing God's presence in the people and experiences he encountered on his journey.

His Franciscan vocation added another layer of meaning. Br. Luis reflected on the role Franciscan Bishop Fray Juan de Zumárraga played in the Guadalupe story and what that history might ask of him as a Franciscan priest today.

Listening to Mary, Br. Luis discovered, means listening more closely to God.

Brothers on the same journey

He also discovered that the sense of presence he found extended beyond the shrine.

The friars deepened their bonds of fraternity throughout the pilgrimage. They traveled and prayed together. They shared meals. They celebrated daily Mass at St. Joseph Chapel in the basilica. And they found space for more personal conversations – and the laughter and fellowship that came with it.

Ordinary moments, then, became another expression of pilgrimage.

“This pilgrimage reminded me that we are not walking our vocation alone,” Br. Luis said. “We are called to walk together and encourage one another, to pray for each other and support each other in our mission.”

His fellow friars became more than brothers in ministry – they were “brothers on the same spiritual journey.”

“I was left with much more appreciation for each of them,” Br. Luis said. “We created memories that will continue to strengthen our community long after we return home.”

Five laypeople from Br. Luis’ community at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Joliet, Illinois, joined him – providing the opportunity to share the experience of culture, pilgrimage and prayer with more than his fraternal brothers.

Carrying Guadalupe home

Br. Luis says he knows the pilgrimage cannot end when the pilgrim leaves the shrine.

He envisions the friars returning to their ministries with a renewed sense of “faith, fraternity and mission” and a desire to continue learning about Our Lady of Guadalupe and the richness of Mexican faith and tradition.

Perhaps the encounter can shape how they serve.

“I hope it inspires them to serve with the same tenderness, humility and closeness that we see in Our Lady of Guadalupe,” Br. Luis said.

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Formation happens for Franciscans not only in classrooms and friaries, but also among the people friars are called to accompany. Br. Domingo Martinez, OFM, who recently professed solemn vows, completed his pastoral year as part of his initial formation, gaining hands-on ministry experience. In this reflection, he looks back on what the experience taught him about ministry, relationship and the Franciscan ministry of presence.

I thank God for the many blessings bestowed on me during my pastoral year. Prior to joining the friars, I worked on union political campaigns with the national American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). When I learned that Br. Brian Jordan, OFM, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York, had dedicated it as New York’s only Workers’ Chapel, I wanted to know more. I reached out to Br. Brian about a potential pastoral year there. He created a ministry program better than I could have imagined.

I spent my ministry between the parish and the local union federation, the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The program Brian established allowed me to live out the Church’s social doctrine in a concrete ministerial way. It brought together my faith, my professional background and my ministry.

Bringing faith and labor together

At the CLC, I worked to bring faith communities and labor unions together. One of my first assignments was assisting at the New York City Labor Day Parade. The parade begins with Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where I helped corral volunteers and encouraged nervous lectors. After the Mass, I worked in the parade, answering questions, directing some of the parade traffic, and generally serving as an extra pair of hands. And that was just the beginning!

As the year progressed, I continued to encounter even deeper moments of integration, reaching beyond my professional history. One day, the president of the CLC asked me to join a meeting with some union organizers from the United Farm Workers (UFW). My father grew up as a farm worker in Texas in the 1940s and ’50s, and my family always held the UFW in high esteem. The organizers discussed their work in the New York City area.

They informed us of a shift in the demographics of temporary farm workers in New York. Applications from Jamaica had increased. The UFW organizers traveled to Jamaican cities, including Negril, where I spent my Brothers Walking Together year, to help applicants prepare for work in New York. After Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica, UFW organizers asked how they could help. Thanks to Br. Colin King, OFM, I connected the UFW to the Church in the Diocese of Mandeville. I still get goosebumps reflecting on how that situation brought together my own family history, professional background and ministerial experience.

Moments of grace

My time at the CLC continued to offer moments of grace for which I thank God. I offered a prayer at a vigil and picket outside a children’s hospital during the nurses’ strike. I helped set up the annual commemoration of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, in which more than 140 people, mostly immigrant women, died because of locked factory doors and blocked escape routes. The national AFL-CIO asked me to attend an iftar at a mosque in the Bronx. I joined the faith table of Hands-Off NYC, which organized immigration trainings and the No Kings March in New York City. Working in collaboration with secular nonprofits allowed me to share our Franciscan charism in the public square.

Bringing labor into the Church

This relationship went both ways. I coordinated monthly labor Masses at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi that honor the men and women who die on the job in New York. Martin Luther King Jr. Day fell during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We invited the state-level AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer, a Baptist minister, to speak after a special MLK Day Mass. My pastoral year experience has helped me further integrate my personal life, work and formation.

A way forward in renewal

I cannot express my gratitude enough for the blessings I received during my pastoral year. The 31st Street community welcomed me; the pastor created an amazing program, and the formation team approved it. I am especially grateful that the friars approved this ministry, despite its novelty. Creative forms of ministry such as this can only help our community. Sharing the Franciscan charism in the public square brings us into places we may never have approached. Working with like-minded secular organizations pools resources and breaks open opportunities for the Spirit to lead us in our ministry.

These creative collaborations offer a way forward in renewal. They also offer a model that can survive declining vocations and reduced resources. Solidarity, or in our language, communion, strengthens us. I pray in thanksgiving for this opportunity to build communion with labor, and that we may continue to make bold choices and try new methods for renewing our fraternity.

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The year is 1226. A young man known as Francis of Assisi is enduring the difficult experience of dying. Years of illness, hardship and travel have left him weak. Nearly blind and depending significantly on his brothers, he asks them to lay him on the bare ground near the small chapel of the Portiuncula. The community gathers around him to pray and sing. This moment is Francis’ Transitus, his passage from earthly life to eternal life.

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Fr. Hugh Hines, OFM, 94, passed away on Oct. 4, 2026, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, in Beacon, New York. A Franciscan friar for 72 years and a priest for 66, he served as the seventh president of Siena University in Loudonville, New York. His life was defined by a deep sense of humility, his love of scripture, a quick sense of humor and an abiding concern for those on the margins.

Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 9, 9-10:30 a.m., at Siena University Chapel, Loudonville, New York, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. The Mass will be livestreamed on the YouTube channel of the Siena University Chaplain's Office. Minister Provincial Br. Michael Perry, OFM, will be the principal celebrant and Br. Kevin Mullen, OFM, will be the homilist. Burial will be immediately after at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, New York.

Born Charles Howard Hines to Charles and Anna Hines (née Hackert) on March 31, 1932, in Schenectady, New York, Fr. Hugh attended Lincoln Grammar School, Central Park Junior High and Mount Pleasant High School, all in Schenectady. He attended Siena College (now University) for one year, before continuing his studies at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, New York. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1956, a master’s degree in education from Canisius College in 1967, and a master’s degree in theology from St. Bonaventure University in 1971.

Fr. Hugh was received into the Order of Friars Minor on Aug. 12, 1953, in Paterson, New Jersey, and made simple vows the following year. He professed solemn vows on Aug. 20, 1957, and continued his theological studies at Holy Name College in Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 12, 1960, at Mt. St. Sepulchre in Washington.

After ordination, Fr. Hugh served a short time at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston and St. Bonaventure Parish in Allegany, New York, before embarking on a long ministry in education. He joined the faculty at Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, New York, in 1963 and taught there for four years. In 1967, he returned to Siena College as an instructor and later an assistant professor teaching scripture, beginning nearly 20 years of service at the school where his Franciscan vocation first took shape.

At Siena, Fr. Hugh also served as assistant director of the pre-novitiate formation program and later as assistant to the president of the college. He served as Siena’s president from 1976 to 1989, ushering the college through a period of growth and transition. Throughout his presidency, he remained closely connected to students, explaining that he did not want to sit in his office and see students as “abstractions.” As president, he considered passing on Franciscan values to students a central responsibility.

After leaving Siena in 1989, Fr. Hugh took a sabbatical year before joining St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, where he served guests experiencing poverty from 1990 to 1991. He later reflected that the experience deepened his appreciation for the joy, faith and gratitude that accompany Franciscan life. He continued to serve on the Inn’s board after his assignment ended.

Fr. Hugh’s next appointment was in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he served as guardian, director of The Franciscan Center and pastor of a parish from 1991 to 1992. In 1993, he returned to St. Anthony Shrine, where he ministered for almost a decade. During that time, he was elected to the Provincial Council of the legacy Holy Name Province and served for six years. He moved to New York City in 2002, where he served as senior associate friar at Holy Name of Jesus Parish until 2008 and as parochial vicar at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi from 2008 to 2011.

He lived briefly at St. Anthony Friary in Butler, New Jersey, before returning to St. Anthony Shrine in 2012. He became a popular preacher in Boston, known for homilies that spoke to people in language they could understand. Adult education became another avenue for expressing his love of scripture, and he continued his outreach to people experiencing poverty at St. Francis House. Throughout his life, he was untiring in his service to the poor.

People who lived and ministered alongside Fr. Hugh described him as a humble, thoughtful friar with a quick wit who loved to laugh and make others laugh. Never one who sought “the first seat,” he preferred to direct attention toward others rather than himself. He routinely reached out to those who were grieving or needed support. Described as a “friar’s friar,” Fr. Hugh loved his vocation and his brother friars deeply. Having lost his father early in his life, he cared lovingly for his mother throughout her long life.

Fr. Hugh is survived by his first cousin Richard L. (Mary) Jones; second cousins Eileen M. Gross, Matthew R. Jones, Nancy Phillips, Margaret Eisert and Patrick Roberts; and his brother friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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In declaring 2026 the year of St. Francis, Pope Leo has once again called attention to the depth and breadth of the world’s interest in St. Francis. In this, the 800th anniversary year of his death, Francis has emerged as a saint who is as relevant today as he was in his lifetime.

We live in a time of division and upheaval in the world, with wars cropping up in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, and with hateful rhetoric and divisive decisions that are separating people. The good among us are longing and praying for peace daily: peace in the world and peace of heart. We long for models and look to saints for guidance about how we are to live our lives. Again and again, we turn to Francis of Assisi as the Christian example of a peacemaker who found peace of heart and preached peace and good by embracing Jesus and His Gospel of Peace and Love. “May the Lord give you peace,” and “Peace and Good” were the two mantras that Francis uttered his whole life long.

Ours is also a time of turmoil in nature. Our climate is warming yearly, and the excessive human consumption and use of fossil fuels are damaging our planet. There is the feeling that we are pushing the envelope of what our climate can take of human neglect and abuse.

And again, it is Francis of Assisi who emerges as a model of what it means to embrace all of creation as our brothers and sisters through whom and with whom we make our way to God. For St. Francis, it is because of the Incarnation of God among us that all creatures are redeemed, all creatures are seen as good. Francis embraced all creatures and called them Brothers and Sisters; and towards the end of his life he sang one of the great poems of the Middle Ages and of all time, his “Canticle of the Creatures.”

“Laudato si, mi Signore,” St. Francis sings, “Praised be You, my Lord,” through Brother Sun and Moon and the Stars; through Mother Earth, our Sister; through Brother Wind and Air, Brother Fire and Sister Water. In so taking the four elements of Medieval Cosmology: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, and embracing them and praising God through, with, and in them, St. Francis was embracing all creatures of the earth and praising and thanking God for them. 

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What a program for a renewal of the earth! What a program for peace of heart and peace among people and all creatures. And in his pursuit of that program for a peace-filled world, Pope Francis turned to St. Francis’s “Canticle” for the title and framework of his encyclical “Laudato Si,” in which Pope Francis stated that the most pressing need of the environment today is to address the human and social roots of the ecological crisis. For example, the encyclical calls for an immediate transition away from fossil fuels because climate change disproportionately affects the poor. Also, the wealthy consume and pollute excessively while the poor suffer the gravest consequences of environmental degradation, often being denied basic human rights like clean water.

The deepest crisis identified by “Laudato Si” is the placing of technology and economic profit above all else. Therefore, the most critical need of the world today is a profound and spiritual change that would lead to a more integrated vision of human beings, of their life, and their relationship with nature.

What a universal patron saint for these profound changes in our times is St. Francis! It has been suggested that the month of October, the month of his passing, be dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, who is already a universal icon of peace and love among us. Perhaps Franciscans could ask that favor of Pope Leo, could suggest that we need to be reminded every year of the gift we have in St. Francis for renewing relationships in our time: the relationship we have with ourselves, with others, and with the very planet we live upon. All people need to hear every year St. Francis’s Admonition to his brothers who would be peacemakers:

“The peace which you proclaim with words must dwell even more abundantly in your hearts. Do not provoke others to anger or give scandal. Rather, let your gentleness draw them to peace, goodness and concord. This is our vocation: to heal wounds, to bind what is broken, to bring home those who are lost.” (Legend of the Three Companions, 58) 

This reflection was originally published on FranciscanMonth.org and is republished here with permission. Franciscan Month is a collaborative project among members of the Franciscan Family that offers reflections, events, prayers and other devotional content throughout the month of October. The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe helped curate this year's resources.

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What does it mean to follow Jesus with courage today?

Maybe it means standing up for someone who is being left out. Maybe it means serving people in need, defending human dignity, caring for creation or sharing your faith with a friend.

Whatever it looks like in your life, you are invited to be part of a special celebration of faith, courage and missionary discipleship on Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. Eastern. “For the Sake of the Gospel: A Georgia Martyrs Virtual Youth Event” will honor the soon-to-be-beatified Georgia Martyrs and the faith-filled witness of young people who are living the Gospel today.

Hosted by the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the event will take place on the day the Georgia Martyrs will be beatified. These five Franciscan friars gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel in 1597, becoming powerful examples of faith and missionary discipleship.

But this event is not only about saints and martyrs from the past – it is also about you.

Throughout the brief program, you will hear stories from young people and friars who are boldly living their faith today. You will have the opportunity to see how people your age are responding to God's call.

As the Church honors these Franciscan missionaries, we hope young people will see that the same Holy Spirit that inspired the saints and martyrs continues to work in them today. The Church needs your faith, your gifts, your voice and your willingness to bring Christ's love into the world.

The witness of the Georgia Martyrs reminds us that holiness is possible in every age. Their example challenges all of us to say "yes" to Christ with courage, trust and joy.

Gather your friends, youth group, campus ministry, Catholic school or parish community and join the friars for this historic celebration. Together, we will honor the legacy of the Georgia Martyrs and discover how God is calling a new generation of missionary disciples to carry that legacy forward.

Event details

For the Sake of the Gospel: Georgia Martyrs Virtual Youth Event
Date: Oct. 31, 2026
Time: 4 p.m. Eastern
Format: Online event
Cost: Free
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@FriarsGuadalupe (No registration required.)

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Read in English

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas: 

El 3 de octubre de 2026 se cumplen 800 años de la muerte de San Francisco de Asís. Mientras yacía en su lecho de muerte, Francisco declaró: “Yo he hecho lo que me correspondía; que Cristo les enseñe a ustedes lo que les corresponde hacer”. En su oración para este Año Jubilar Franciscano, el Papa León nos recuerda que Francisco fue un hombre de paz, que llegó incluso a llamar Hermana a la Muerte, aquella a la que san Pablo llamó “el último enemigo” (1 Cor 15,26). 

Durante sus dos últimos años de vida, Francisco padeció enfermedades físicas cada vez más graves. Perdió la vista y se debilitó hasta el punto de no poder caminar. Además, algunos hermanos intentaban orientar la Orden en una dirección que él no aprobaba. Sin embargo, Francisco siguió mostrando esperanza en el futuro, orando para que Cristo guiara a los hermanos después de su muerte. Los animó a continuar cantando el Cántico que había compuesto, incluso mientras él se despedía de ellos. 

A lo largo de su vida, Francisco experimentó una profunda conversión. Sobrevivió a crisis y momentos de oscuridad, y de ellos emergió con una conciencia abrumadora de la misericordia y el amor de Dios por él. Compartió los sufrimientos de los pobres y marginados, descubriendo entre ellos la dulzura de la presencia divina. Sus ojos estuvieron siempre fijos en Jesús, quien le reveló la presencia humilde de Dios, incluso en medio del sufrimiento. Ese camino centrado en el Evangelio que él inició continúa hoy como un movimiento que sigue dando vida. 

Francisco fue un constructor de paz y de puentes. Durante la Quinta Cruzada viajó a Egipto, desarmado y movido por la paz, para encontrarse con el sultán Malik al-Kamil, considerado por muchos como “enemigo de la Cruz de Cristo”. En las últimas semanas de su vida añadió nuevas estrofas al Cántico de las Criaturas para reconciliar al Obispo y al Alcalde de Asís. Además, fomentó un espíritu de fraternidad con toda la creación, llamando Hermano o Hermana a cada criatura. Se acercaba a todas ellas con afecto y cuidado, invitándolas a alabar a su Creador. 

En medio de grandes violencias, pobreza y sufrimiento, Francisco siguió experimentando la bondad de Dios. El estado actual de nuestro mundo puede tentarnos a la desesperanza. Vemos cada día ejemplos de dolor, pérdida y sufrimiento en nuestra sociedad y también en nuestra Provincia. Es una muerte de las relaciones humanas y de la solidaridad. A pesar de los avances en las tecnologías de comunicación, existe una falta de conexión auténtica y un creciente distanciamiento entre las personas. Muchos viven en compartimentos aislados, relacionándose únicamente con quienes comparten su misma visión del mundo. 

La confusión de nuestro sistema político pone de manifiesto una creciente polarización, una mentalidad de “nosotros contra ellos”, con poco espacio para la escucha respetuosa y el diálogo. Estamos perdiendo un sentido colectivo de identidad y de responsabilidad hacia nuestros semejantes, así como la convicción de que trabajando juntos podemos generar cambios positivos. Somos testigos del ascenso de una pequeña élite cuya prosperidad y seguridad parecen garantizadas. Quienes poseen poder y riqueza explotan los recursos naturales, las personas y la tierra sin asumir plenamente su responsabilidad por el bien común. Existe poca preocupación por las consecuencias que estas acciones tienen para los más vulnerables, así como una pérdida de respeto por nuestra Hermana Madre Tierra, nuestra casa común. 

Los efectos perjudiciales son visibles en diversos contextos culturales y geográficos. Dentro de la comunidad latina existe un sentimiento de pérdida del Sueño Americano. Algunas familias consideran que ese sueño ya es inalcanzable, mientras que otras perciben a los inmigrantes recientes como una amenaza para su propio éxito, seguridad y visión del bien del país. Muchos afroamericanos sienten que se les vuelve invisibles, ya que sus experiencias, luchas, logros y contribuciones no reciben el mismo reconocimiento que los de otros grupos. Algunos pueblos indígenas perciben una disminución de su influencia y control sobre sus propias vidas, oportunidades limitadas y escaso apoyo gubernamental, sumados a problemas de pobreza y adicción. 

En Cuba crece el sentimiento de desesperación, acompañado por la falta de dignidad y de recursos básicos, mientras que cualquier forma de disenso público puede conducir al encarcelamiento. Un bloqueo impuesto con el propósito de impulsar profundas reformas políticas ha provocado mayores privaciones y sufrimientos humanos. En Oriente Medio, Sudán, Ucrania, Haití y otras regiones, las guerras injustificadas y las ocupaciones ilegales continúan dejando innumerables víctimas inocentes, la destrucción de instituciones sociales fundamentales y un grave deterioro del medio ambiente. 

Sin embargo, incluso en medio de la oscuridad y el dolor, la esperanza no se pierde. El ejemplo de nuestro hermano Francisco y su adhesión al Evangelio de Cristo siguen generando vida e inspiración. En el Capítulo Provincial de este año experimentamos optimismo y alegría. Sin duda, muchos de nosotros tenemos preocupaciones y ansiedades acerca del futuro. Pero nuestra fe en Cristo Resucitado y el apoyo de nuestra fraternidad son anclas firmes para nuestra esperanza. 

Nuestras fraternidades han demostrado en muchas ocasiones su capacidad de manifestar la vida evangélica y sus virtudes. Hermanos de distintas razas, procedencias, perspectivas y personalidades muestran que es posible vivir juntos según el amor auténtico del Evangelio. Sabemos que surgirán conflictos interpersonales y que estamos llamados a afrontarlos como hermanos. También sabemos que la vida fraterna puede expresar nuestra fe y generar un entusiasmo que podemos ofrecer al Pueblo de Dios más allá de nuestras fraternidades. Del mismo modo, reconocemos cómo nuestros generosos benefactores y colaboradores laicos contribuyen abundantemente a nuestra misión con sacrificio e integridad. 

Como Franciscanos, nuestra vocación es ser constructores de paz y puentes de encuentro. En una cultura que nos presiona para ver las cuestiones únicamente en blanco o negro, los frailes podemos sentarnos, escuchar y dialogar dentro de las “zonas grises” de las diferencias y los malentendidos. Formados por convicciones arraigadas en el Evangelio, podemos esforzarnos por contemplar las cuestiones desde más de una perspectiva, evitando el partidismo y la polarización. Podemos acercarnos con compasión a quienes percibimos como adversarios, reconociendo nuestra humanidad compartida como hermanos y hermanas. Podemos amarnos mutuamente a pesar de nuestras diferencias, permitiendo que estas se conviertan en fuente de creatividad y comunión. 

Cada día somos testigos de cómo personas de buena voluntad siguen uniéndose para defender los valores del Evangelio, entre ellos la justicia, la paz y la dignidad de todos, compartiendo un espíritu de unidad y no violencia. Los actos de solidaridad en Negril, Jamaica, nos recuerdan nuestra responsabilidad, nacida de la fe, de respetar y cuidar a todas las personas como miembros de la única familia de Dios. 

La importancia que nuestros recientes Papas, Francisco y León, han otorgado a la figura de San Francisco demuestra hasta qué punto su mensaje y ejemplo siguen inspirando a personas de todo el mundo a comprometerse con la construcción de una sociedad más justa, humana y pacífica. Celebremos este año el aniversario de su muerte con gratitud a Dios por el don de su vida, y pidamos que Cristo nos enseñe qué nos corresponde hacer hoy, así como se lo enseñó a Francisco. 

¡Feliz Fiesta de San Francisco! 

Fraternalmente, 

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Leer en Español

Dear Sisters and Brothers, 

October 3, 2026, marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.  As he lay dying, Francis stated, “I have done what is mine; may Christ teach you what is yours!”  In his prayer for this Franciscan Jubilee Year, Pope Leo reminds us that Francis is a man of peace, who called even Death his Sister, the one St. Paul had called "the last enemy" (1 Cor 15:26).  

In his last two years, Francis suffered from increasing physical illness, losing his sight and becoming too weak to walk.  There were brothers trying to steer the Order in a direction that he did not approve. Yet Francis still showed hope for the future, praying that Christ would guide the brothers after his death. He encouraged his brothers to continue singing the Canticle he had composed even as he was leaving them.   

Throughout his life, Francis experienced conversion: he survived crises and times of darkness, emerging from them with an overwhelming sense of God's mercy and love for him.  He shared the suffering of the poor and marginalized and discovered among them the sweetness of God's presence. His eyes were always on Jesus, the one who showed him God’s humble presence, even in suffering.  That Gospel-centered journey that he began continues in a movement that endures to this day.  

Francis is a peacemaker and bridge builder. During the Fifth Crusade, he traveled to Egypt, peaceful and unarmed, to encounter the Sultan Malik al-Kamil, considered by many "the enemy of the Cross of Christ."  During the last weeks of his life, he adds new lyrics to the Canticle of Brother Sun to restore peace between the Bishop and Mayor of Assisi.  Moreover, Francis fosters a spirit of kinship with all creatures, calling each of them Brother or Sister. He approaches all creatures with affection and care and invites them to praise their Creator.    

Amid great violence, poverty and suffering, Francis still experienced the goodness of God.  The state of our world today can tempt us to despair.  We see everyday examples of pain, loss and suffering in our society, and in our province.  It is a death of relationships and human solidarity.  Despite advances in communication technology, there is a lack of connection, a growing detachment from others, as many live in silos of isolation, engaged only with those who share their worldview.   

The disarray in our political system highlights polarization, an “us vs. them” mentality with little room for respectful listening and dialogue.  We are losing a collective sense of identity and responsibility for our fellow human beings, a diminishing belief that by working together we can make a positive difference.  We witness the rise of a small elite for whom prosperity and safety are assured. Those with money and power exploit natural resources, people and land without a sense of responsibility for the common good. There is little concern for the impact of these actions on the most vulnerable, and a loss of respect for Sister Mother Earth, our common home.

Detrimental effects are evident across a broad cultural and geographic spectrum. Within the Latino community, there is a sense of the loss of the American Dream. There are families who now consider the dream unattainable as well as others who see recent immigrants as a threat to their own success, security and their sense of the country’s best interests.  African Americans sense that they are being made invisible, as their experiences, struggles, successes and contributions are not valued as much as that of others.  Some Native Americans feel that they have decreasing influence and control over their own lives, limited opportunities, and minimal support from the government, coupled with poverty and addiction.  In Cuba, there is a growing sense of desperation, a lack of dignity and basic resources, while any form of public dissent leads to imprisonment.  A blockade imposed to bring about profound political reform is provoking greater deprivation and human suffering.  In the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, Haiti and elsewhere, unjustified wars and illegal occupations leave in their wake countless innocent victims, the destruction of vital social institutions and a degrading of the natural environment.  

Yet even in the midst of darkness and pain, hope is not lost. The example of our Brother Francis and his embrace of Christ's Gospel continue to generate life and inspiration.  At this year’s Provincial Chapter, we experienced optimism and joy. Certainly, many of us have concerns and anxieties about the future. But our faith in the Risen Christ and the support of our fraternity serve as anchors for our hope. Our fraternities have shown on many occasions the ability to manifest Gospel life and its virtues.  Brothers of different races, backgrounds, perspectives and personalities show they can live together in the genuine loving manner of the Gospel.  We know that interpersonal conflicts will arise, and we are challenged to address them as brothers. We also know that fraternal living can manifest our faith and generate an enthusiasm that we can offer to the people of God beyond our fraternities.  And we know how our generous benefactors and lay partners in ministry contribute so much to our mission with sacrifice and integrity.    

As Franciscans, we are by our vocation peacemakers and bridge builders.  In a culture that pressures us to see issues as black or white, friars can sit, listen and engage within the “gray zone” of differences and misunderstandings.  Formed by Gospel-centered convictions, we can try to see issues from more than one perspective, avoiding partisanship and polarization.  We can engage perceived enemies compassionately, acknowledging our shared humanity as brothers and sisters.  We can love one another despite our differences, allowing these to become a source of creativity and communion.  

We witness every day how people of good will still come together and stand up for Gospel values, including justice, peace and dignity for all, sharing a spirit of unity and non-violence.  Acts of solidarity in Negril, Jamaica, serve to remind us of our faith-directed responsibility to respect and care for all people as members of the one family of God.  

The importance given to the figure of St. Francis by our recent Popes Francis and Leo have shown how broadly his message and example still motivate people today throughout the world to commit to building a more just, humane and peaceful world. Let us celebrate the anniversary of his death this year with gratitude to God for his life, and pray that Christ will teach us what is ours to do today, as He did with Francis.  

Happy Feast of St. Francis!  

Fraternally,  

The Provincial Administration of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe 

Br. Michael A. Perry, OFM 
Minister Provincial and Servant 

Br. Erick López, OFM 
Vicar Provincial 

Br. John Aherne, OFM 
Provincial Councilor 

Br. Peter Boegel, OFM 
Provincial Councilor 

Br. George Camacho, OFM 
Provincial Councilor 

Br. Henry Fulmer, OFM 
Provincial Councilor 

Br. Colin King, OFM 
Provincial Councilor 

Br. Roger Lopez, OFM 
Provincial Councilor 

Br. Rommel Perez Flores, OFM 
Provincial Councilor 

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 What does it mean to live like Francis in today's world? 

This October, you're invited to answer Pope Leo’s call to follow in St. Francis’ footsteps and participate in the Live Like Francis Challenge, a monthlong opportunity to practice Franciscan values through simple, intentional actions. Every week, we'll focus on a theme rooted in a pillar of the Franciscan tradition, offering ways to live in the spirit of St. Francis through care for creation, community life, prayer and relationships. 

See the calendar below for a daily challenge throughout October. Some invite you to pray or reflect; others encourage acts of kindness, care or service in the world around you. Pause and consider how the Franciscan way of life can emerge in ordinary situations of everyday life. 

If you would like to receive these challenges and a brief reflection via email, click here to sign up. 

It's not another list of tasks to complete. Rather, it's an opportunity to let each day offer its own invitation: to encounter, to give thanks and to notice how, little by little, we can all live like Francis. 

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Fr. Warren Rector, OFM, 84, of Burlington, Wisconsin, passed away on Sept. 28, 2026, following a battle with colon cancer. For more than six decades, he devoted his life to living the Gospel in the Franciscan tradition, accompanying people through some of life's most difficult moments. Best known for his ministry among the sick, dying and poor, he became a source of comfort, consolation and spiritual strength to countless individuals, families and Franciscan sisters. His ministry was marked by the quiet, faithful service that lies at the heart of the Franciscan vocation.

The wake service and Funeral Mass will take place at Queen of Peace Friary, 2281 Browns Lake Drive, Burlington, WI 53105. Reception of the body will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, followed by evening prayer (Office for the Dead) at 5 p.m. and the wake service at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Br. John Dombrowski, OFM, will preside and Br. Kim Studwell, OFM, will give the homily. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the provincial cemetery in Pulaski, Wisconsin.

Born Edward to Michael and Genevieve (née Raniszewski) Rector in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 29, 1941, Edward's vocation began taking shape during his childhood years at Holy Trinity Catholic School in his hometown where he was inspired by the Franciscan friars who preached parish missions and encouraged by the Bernadine Sisters. After graduating from St. Pius X High School in nearby Pottstown, he entered the legacy Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province in 1959 and received the name Warren. He professed solemn vows on Aug. 15, 1964, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1968.

Fr. Warren initially served as a teacher at St. Joseph Brothers School in Pulaski, Wisconsin. Although education was not destined to become his life's primary ministry, these years revealed his dedication to serving wherever he was called. In 1970, he was assigned to Queen of Peace Friary in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he experienced what he later described as some of the happiest years of his religious life.

At Lake Geneva, Fr. Warren served as assistant librarian and later librarian, helping support the continuing education of friars throughout the province. At the same time, he assisted in nearby parishes: St. Joseph in Lyons, and its mission church St. Killian, St. Benedict in Fontana (where he also taught faith formation), St. Francis de Sales in Lake Geneva, and St. Hyacinth Parish in Chicago. He served the friary as treasurer and was spiritual assistant to the local Secular Franciscan Order fraternity for five years.

A major turning point came in 1981 when Fr. Warren was invited to substitute for Franciscan chaplains at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin. What began as a temporary assignment evolved into a vocation within a vocation. After completing clinical pastoral education and becoming a certified hospital chaplain, he dedicated himself to serving the sick, dying and grieving.

For nearly a decade in Green Bay and 18 years at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, New Jersey, Fr. Warren became the compassionate presence of Christ to patients and families facing illness, fear and death. Fr. Warren's work among the poor and marginalized population of Camden demonstrated the Franciscan commitment to stand alongside those living on the edges of society. In a city marked by poverty and hardship, he served not only as a chaplain but also as a witness to God's mercy and compassion. He accompanied people through suffering, offered prayers at bedsides, comforted grieving loved ones and helped many prepare spiritually for their journey home to God.

From 2008 to 2017, Fr. Warren served as chaplain for the Franciscan sisters of Chicago, and for three years after that he provided spiritual support to the Felician Sisters in Chicago.

Before his retirement in 2022, he served two years at the Assumption Blessed Virgin Friary in Pulaski and provided sacramental support to nearby parishes.

His legacy endures in the lives he touched, the patients he comforted, the families he consoled and the friars with whom he shared community. In the spirit of St. Francis, Fr. Warren left a lasting imprint of a life faithfully given in service to God and His people.

He is survived by his brother Kenneth Rector; his nieces, Audrey Tignor, Carolyn Smith, Julie Orner, and Joanna Moore; his nephew, Andrew Rector; his grand-niece, Meredith Tignor; and his Franciscan brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe

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In a world that cries out for peace and justice, Pope Leo XIV has announced a Jubilee Year of St. Francis – an urgent invitation to put our faith into action following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. As the Jubilee Year continues, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be sharing a monthly reflection to look honestly at our lives and ask what it would mean to follow the Gospel more closely in the spirit of St. Francis. Read other reflections in the Live Like Francis series.

Such an evolution is possible only when we reflect upon Francis’ growing consciousness of God’s presence in all things, especially in his own life. After a life that seemed to end in brokenness and disappointment, in which things may not have evolved in the manner Francis thought they would, he remains firm in his trust that God is with him on the journey, always. How, then, could it ever be possible that God would abandon him on the final journey from this life into the next? The Canticle’s verse praising “Sister Death” reminds us that, especially in the most mysterious and unknown dimension of human life, God’s presence is always there. Death ceases to be met with despair and becomes a powerful sign of hope. 

For reflection 

What for you makes death so mysterious and incomprehensible? What are the sources of this perception for you? Does the societal and cultural image of death seem to have more power over us than the image our faith offers? Why do you think this is so? 

Have you tried to be aware of God’s presence in those times that appear as “little deaths” in your life? Has this been successful for you, or has something stood in the way of perceiving God’s presence? 

The Order of Christian Funerals is one of the most profound ways that our liturgical life “gets it right” when it comes to death and dying. Have you ever looked at the texts for a funeral liturgy? What gets in the way of perceiving the power of God and of our faith in this liturgy, so that it confirms that Christ is always Emmanuel, the God who is with us? 

IMAGE: Diego de Borgraf, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons 

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Eight hundred years have passed since St. Francis of Assisi completed the mission God gave him on earth. His life started in a small hill town in central Italy, and his influence has spread throughout continents and across oceans. During this Jubilee Year of St. Francis and month of St. Francis, we ask a probing question: what is this humble saint's greatest legacy to humankind? 

Four friars with extensive education on theology, history and Franciscan spirituality pondered that question and two themes surfaced time and again: community and connection.  

Bringing the world closer together 

“The legacy of St. Francis is in community and that community is with the whole earth. It’s community with creation rather than simply with people or rather simply in the Church,” said Br. Jack Clark Robinson, OFM, executive director of the Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library in Santa Barbara, California. 

During a two-week pilgrimage to Assisi, Br. Jack sat at St. Francis’ tomb and watched as travelers from around the world visited the sacred place to encounter a saint they find both relatable and remarkable. 

“I saw every description of old, young, every description of ethnicity, every description of religious. It was so colorful to watch people come through, whether they were Catholic, whether they were Christian, whether they were Hindu, whether they were Sikh, whether they were Muslim, whatever they were, Francis created a community that engaged them,” said Br. Jack.  

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Embracing our humanity 

When reflecting on St. Francis’ legacy, Br. Keith Warner, OFM, points out that St. Francis taught us a new way of being Christian. Br. Keith, president of the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego, says that new way involves loving our own humanity and seeing the humanity of others.  

“St. Francis showed us the importance of our humanity and embracing our humanity, our sense of relatedness, our sense of being brother and sister together with all the created reality. By embracing our humanity and our social and ecological relatedness, that is how we respond to God’s love,” said Br. Keith. 

The appeal of this message and example have endured for generations. 

“The example of his witness, faithfulness, dedication and desire to love and be loved and form fraternities of love, is part of the reason why he still speaks to our age as he’s spoken to many ages,” said Br. Keith. 

He also highlighted how other religions look to St. Francis as someone to emulate.  

“Buddhists describe him as a Bodhisattva, an enlightened being, and it's a way of recognizing that he was really an exceptional human being,” said Br. Keith. 

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Original goodness 

Br. Jim Sabak, OFM, academic director of the Master of Theological Studies at FST, believes that St. Francis’ emphasis on original goodness (man and woman were created as good in God’s image) reminds people that finding common ground and, ultimately, peace is possible. 

“He brought people together, including parties that were at war or people who were thinking so differently from each other, they felt as though they could never have any kind of mutuality or any kind of conversation,” said Br. Jim. 

St. Francis knew that humanity could not thrive or flourish if it was not reconciled.  

“Reconciliation first begins with each other. And then from that realization, it expands to the sense in which we are now more a part of God and God's life and God's purpose on this earth,” said Br. Jim. 

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Universal fellowship 

Br. Gilberto Cavazos González, OFM, a scholar/professor of Christian spirituality rooted in the Franciscan and Clarian traditions, described St. Francis’ legacy as helping us to value universal fellowship. 

“He gave witness to universal fellowship in the midst of a world that would rather build walls than tables,” said Br. Gilberto, who currently holds the John Duns Scotus Endowed Chair in Franciscan Spirituality at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. 

One example of this witness is an encounter he had with Sultan Malik al-Kamil in Egypt. 

“He and the sultan came to realize they’re worshiping the same God in two different ways. They weren't able to convert each other, but maybe it's because they realized that's not what we're about. We're about building fellowship,” said Br. Gilberto. 

St. Francis also encountered those on the margins, including lepers and people previously ignored or shunned by religious leaders.  

“Fellowship with the poor is something that we obviously highlight. But Francis wasn't afraid of fellowship with the wealthy either. His fellowship with the nobles was not self-serving. It was in the service of the lessers, of the truly lesser,” said Br. Gilberto. 

When St. Francis founded the Order of Friars Minor, he chose the name to emphasize the brothers would be in the second class, realizing nobody wants to be second class.  

“We accept the position between the haves and the have-nots because Francis wants us in the middle so that we can bridge the first and the third class, so we can bridge the haves and the have-nots. It's not just about living a pious spiritual life; it's about working for the connection between two opposites that would probably never see each other as brothers and sisters.” 

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Contributing to the good 

As a builder of community and connection, the Order of Friars Minor (to which the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe belongs) and all the associated religious and secular orders he inspired are also described as one of St. Francis' enduring legacies.  

“Francis of Assisi sought to found a community of brothers, and then with Clare, a community of sisters, and between the two of them, how many hundreds of thousands of people have given their lives in service of their sisters and brothers in prayer and in service? And how many millions of people have those lives touched in a positive way? Not to say we’ve always been perfect, not to say that we’ve always done everything right, but over and over and over again, what we have done has contributed to the good,” said Br. Jack. 

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In the evening on Oct. 3, Franciscans around the world will come together to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi, marking his passing from death to eternal life. The Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe invite you to join the Franciscan family for this special occasion.

In commemoration of the 8th centenary of the Transitus, Pope Leo XIV has decreed that Catholics who visit a Franciscan church can receive a plenary indulgence. The pope is calling the faithful to transform their lives and become “a model of holiness” in the example of St. Francis of Assisi. Learn more about how to receive a plenary indulgence during the Franciscan Jubilee Year here.

Several churches where friars from the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe are serving will livestream their Transitus service:

Where: St. Francis of Assisi Church, 135 W. 31st Street, New York, NY 10001 
When: 7 p.m. Eastern 

Central Time Zone

Where:  St. Francis of Assisi Church, 203 E. Main St, Teutopolis, IL 62467 
When: 7 p.m. Central  

Where: Old Mission San Luis Rey Church, 4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92057   
When: 7 p.m. Pacific 

Find a Franciscan church near you:

Arizona

San Xavier del Bac Mission
1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Transitus: Oct. 2 at 5 p.m.

California

St. Barbara Church
2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 4 at 12:30 p.m.

Old Mission San Luis Rey Church
4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92057
Blessing of the Animals: Oct. 3 at 10 a.m.
Transitus: Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

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. 3 at 9 a.m.

Florida