Franciscan Friars Province of the Immaculate Conception

Provincial Update - December 2019

A Blessed Christmas For any of us who have had the fortunate privilege of being on a pilgrimage to Italy, Assisi has always been at the heart and center of our experience.  When we had our Provincial Chapter in 2007 in Assisi, part of our presence was to visit the holy places so important to us as Franciscans and so dear to St. Francis himself.  The shrines of the Rieti Valley, as well as LaVerna, all hold an important legacy in our Franciscan history and tradition, as well as our spirituality. We are all familiar with the story of Greccio.  St. Francis, recalling his own visit to the Holy Land, received permission to re-create the setting of the birth of Christ.  He chose the mountain village of Greccio, and there, with the help of the friars and the people of the town, set up a scene in a small cave, with manger, ox and donkey.  During the celebration of Holy Mass at that site, Francis was seen with the infant Jesus coming to life in his arms.  This great miracle sparked great devotion to the Christmas creche, or praesepio, and from there, the tradition of setting up manger scenes in our churches, homes, cities, and even public places, grew far and wide.  Today, as friars, we are most proud of the Franciscan roots of this tradition, so important to all people of faith.    We know how important the feast of Christmas was to Francis.  Thomas of Celano, in his Second Life of St. Francis, wrote: “Francis used to observe with inexpressible eagerness, and above all other solemnities, the birth of the Child Jesus, calling it the feast of feasts on which God, having become a little baby, hung upon human breasts. He would avidly kiss pictures of those infant limbs, and his compassion for the child overflowed his heart, making him stammer sweet words, even like a child. The name Baby Jesus was for him honeycomb-sweet in the mouth.”  For Francis, the celebration of Christmas demonstrated how close God was to humanity, how humble God is, how childlike is this God who loves us unconditionally.  God is present with us, here with us, and,  as the song says, “not in some heaven, light years away, but here in this place,” with us.  This Christmas, as always, let us reflect on the Incarnation and spread far and wide, by our example and love for one another, the true meaning of Christmas- the birth of the Savior. Buon Natale

Fr. Robert Campagna, OFM Provincial Minister

Pre-Novitiate Formation Brooklyn Postulants

On Sunday, Dec. 15, our Brooklyn postulants took an active part in the observance of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Parish.  The Feastday of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico, is celebrated on December 12.    Being a multi-cultural parish with many of its members coming from Latin America, this, as well as other religious feasts, is always observed with great joy.  After a very festive Mass at 11:00 AM, a street procession with three hundred and fifteen people began, walking through the streets of Brooklyn with the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  This was followed by a wonderful celebration in the parish center, marked by typical Mexican music, dancing, and special foods.  The Brooklyn postulants were an important part of this celebration.

Pre-Novitiate Formation Caledon Postulants

Photo: Caledon Postulants and Friars Pierre and Joseph As the postulants are about to leave for their Christmas holiday with family and friends and fellow brothers, I would just like to share my joy with you all as to how truly wonderful a group they have been thus far. With the challenges come many blessings and growth and maturity. Praise God, therefore, for the challenges. Joseph and I have been blessed to accompany these men as they journey within their first experiences of religious life. They have, in a very little time, come together as brothers and have been a beautiful and simple witness to the groups we are in contact with in activities that take place outside the house. I have asked them to each write a little hello to all of you and describe a particular part of the program so that none of them overlap, each describing something a little different for all of you. We wish you many blessings and may the good Lord continue to bless all of our postulants, here and abroad. Merry Christmas and happy New Year 2020. Blessings, Pierre Matthew Mancino wrote: As we come to the end of 2019 and look back on the beginning of postulancy I can say that it’s been a really great experience. This has been and will always be a process of learning how to grow closer to the Lord, and how to achieve this within the context of fraternal life. I really like the saying, “God is good...all the time”.  Even when things might not be completely smooth, we have seen the Holy Spirit working in us to create a deeper understanding of ourselves, our faith and especially our vocation.   Basically, postulancy has been the opportunity to observe the Franciscan life more closely and to continue in discernment to make sure that we fit this life and it fits us. This has been a joy and a blessing. We are discovering more about St. Francis and his approach to living the Gospel, and also the basics of Catholicism. Our Italian is coming along, and we are learning more every day. We also are enjoying cooking and there are some pretty good cooks here, just saying. We enjoy being involved with the Divine Mercy talks at the St Francis Centre. We have been moderating the group discussions and it is very moving to hear people witness to the Lord’s mercy in their lives. The best part of postulancy is praying together at Mass, the Divine Office and the Rosary. Thanks to everybody for your prayers and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!   Dagoberto Hernandez wrote: May this time of Advent be a special time to hold in our hearts, hope, happiness and peace, to reflect on how blessed we are to see the manifestation of our God in our lives. May this time of preparation permit us to embrace baby Jesus and be able to share with our brothers his grace, charity and gestures of love and compassion towards our brothers. May the joy of the birth of Jesus in our hearts fill us and motivate us throughout the year to continue to serve God, and our brothers with acts of donations of ourselves and our love.  This time of postulancy has been enriching in all aspects, and always full of teachings.   I am convinced that the simple details of life bring with them great lessons that make all the difference. Just a note about my experience with the Secular Franciscan brothers and sisters who visit our centre: I consider it to have been beneficial as we shared many dynamic moments, given the diverse forms of characters and ways of thinking. When analyzing each one of the videos about Divine Mercy we watch and reflect on with the group that attends, I have learned that respect is above all the most important thing, when dealing with diverse ways of thinking. Precisely, this is a fundamental aspect to be able to reach effective communication with everyone involved. I have learned the importance of listening, since we all give important contributions to the conversations which have taken place. It brings me joy to see the fraternity and the love they show and share with one another during the meetings. Another aspect of my experience is with the staff at St. Francis Center. They have treated us with utmost respect, and we’ve enjoyed interesting conversations, many laughs, delicious desserts and always felt we were in a very organized work environment, always giving the best treatment to all groups that come for retreats is our apostolate as postulants. Lastly, we have had visits from priest friends that have joined us for lunch, making this time an enjoyable one for the sharing of opinions and experiences. Merry Christmas to all!! Hawkins Choi wrote: Hello everyone. Merry Christmas and happy New Year. I am having a great time here at St. Francis Centre with the other four postulants. It has been a blessing to have a chance to build up the relationship with each other these few months, and I am looking forward to meeting all the other brothers in the future. We did a lot this year, but I would say I enjoyed the time when we serve at the soup kitchen ( Knights' Table ) the most. At the soup kitchen, our work is to organize the food bank, collect donations, prepare the food, cook and serve the guests. It's giving me a lot of joy to serve the poor and also allows me to have a chance to see the poverty with my own eyes which teaches me to trust in God's providence. I have enjoyed it very much.  Thank you to each and every one of you for your care and prayers. God bless, Hawkins   Dmitry Neill wrote: Dear brothers of the Immaculate Conception Province,  I would like to share my experience of my postulancy so far. Postulancy so far has been a great experience for me for it has made me grow stronger in my faith as well as come out of my comfort zone and shyness. I am also very grateful for the Franciscan brothers for they've always made me feel at home. I would like to also share about some of the duties us postulants have. For this month I am a “sacristan” and my job is to prep for mass every day and clean purificators and finger towels for both the friary and at the center. Some other liturgical duties are acolytes 1 and 2, reader and server, and rosary and lectio divina leader. And these duties we rotate every month, so everyone gets an experience at each duty. So now I just want to wish everyone a very Blessed Christmas and a very Blessed New Year! Dmitry   Jimmy Marchante wrote: Seasons greetings to all! In this time of Advent and Christmas I wish you all many blessings. These past few months of postulancy have been great. They have been months of growth, self-discovery and a search for a closer relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. It's been a challenge as well as a blessing: challenging to have left a whole life behind, but a blessing to have found a new one in Jesus with the Franciscan brothers. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and I pray that we may all be a little closer to God and each other in this season of preparation and waiting for our Savior. I must say within the many different experiences I have gone through during postulancy, cooking for the fraternity has been one of the most memorable, enjoyable, and definitely humbling. It was also a little scary, especially when you’ve worried if the chicken has cooked all the way through, because, let's face, it the last thing I need on my conscience is the food poisoning of the house!  Overall it has given me the opportunity to develop a skill I had long ago forgotten and for that I am grateful. Many Blessings,  Jmmy Marchante.

Update from our Novices in Assisi Blessings. Dear brothers: greetings from Assisi to all of you We have already ended three months here at the novitiate, and we give thanks to the Almighty God for this and for all the blessing he has given us during this time.   We have done many things in these months. On September 14. we were present at the solemn profession ceremony of five brothers of the Umbria Province. It took place at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels ( La Porziuncola). It was a very joyful moment to see five men saying “yes” to the call of God as sons of Saint Francis.  It definitely was also a celebration filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.   During our free time (usually Sunday afternoon) we took the time to visit places here in Assisi. We have visited Saint Mary of the Angels, the Basilica of Saint Clare, were we can also visit the body of Saint Clare. We have visited La Rocca Maggiore and of course, we have been a couple of times at the Basilica of Saint Francis where we visit his tomb and say a prayer for all of you and our province. One day we also did a guided tour with one of the friars (Fr. Rino) to see the remains of the city walls, some of it dating from the Roman Empire, and to see what was the setting of the city of Assisi during St. Francis’ time. We had the blessing of celebrating the feast of our founder in Assisi. We began on the evening of October 3rd with the Transitus. It took place at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels. The church was packed, not only with friars from all over the world, but also with the lay people who join the friars to celebrate the patron saint of Italy. We continued on October 4 th , attending the solemn Mass at the Basilica of Saint Francis. It was a day that will remain in our thoughts forever. After the feast of Saint Francis, we began our classes.  We are having lessons about the Fonti Francescane ( Franciscan sources), Franciscan History, a class about minority, theology of consecrated life and also a class to learn how to pray with the scriptures. Some of these classes are given by the friars of this community and some from friars who come from other friaries. At the end of October, we began picking olives. It was hard work, but we had a lot of fun overall because it was the first time we did this. The friars were saying this year the crop was not like the one from last year, but still we got around 400 liters of olive oil that we use for our table.   We also had a visit from Cardinal Michael Czerny, S. J., who along with his staff spent a couple of days with us to rest a bit after the Synod for the Amazon. He shared with us come of the key points that were discussed during the Synod.  Listening to him helped us to be aware that there is a lot of work to be done in order to continue spreading the Gospel of Jesus to all the corners of the world. Now we are entering into the winter. The temperature is going down and we have started to work on the Christmas decorations to wait the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. We wish all of you a Merry Christmas, peace and many blessing in the coming year. Fraternally: Bro. Oscar Valle and Bro. Luis Hernandez

The novitiate community with Cardinal Michael Czerny

Our two novices- Luis and Oscar

Update from Convento San Francesco, Rome Post Novitiate Program Dear Brothers, Il Signore vi dia la pace!  As I am writing this article thanks have been given for all the blessings in our lives, turkey has been carved and eaten, snow has already arrived in America and Canada and we have undertaken another Advent season. Here in Rome we are just over 2 months into our studies now and adjusting to life as student friars. It helps that our community is at different levels of formation and brings a certain richness to community life and enables us to learn from one another. As Advent begins, our fraternity is preparing to welcome Christ anew into our lives and continue our respective formation journeys together as brothers, as friars. We are content to share a part of this journey with you all through the newsletter. In November we had the opportunity to take a day-trip or “una gita” to Siena located in the region of Tuscany. It was a trip organized by a collaborative effort of all the chaplaincies of the Universities in Rome. Friar Jimmy and the students were able to take the trip- an enjoyable, fraternal experience of the beauty of Italian culture. Of course, we cannot go through this article without talking a bit about our Thanksgiving holiday. Daniela, our cook here in Rome, who most of you have had the pleasure of knowing, really prepared a magnificent feast for us to enjoy knowing how much we appreciate this holiday. It would not have been possible without our Guardian Padre Antonio putting all the elements together to make sure we celebrated a proper Thanksgiving. For these simple things, brothers, we are grateful – for turkey, for stuffing, for fraternity and for an amazing cook like Daniela, who is argued to be the best in the province! We had the pleasurable company of several friars from the General Curia including General Definitors Friars Caoimhin O Laoide and Antonio Scabio, Friar Giovanni Rinaldi, Secretary General of the Order, and Friar Tiberiusz Maka, Bursar or Local Economo of the General Curia. Also, our architect at the Convento San Francesco, Alessandro Bonuso, was able to join us. I can’t express enough in words how wonderful of a meal it was that we shared together and it really was a “taste of home” for us all.              To prepare ourselves for the solemnity of Immaculate Conception we decided to do a 9-day novena together. Each day after mass or prayer in the evening the celebrant would lead us in a different prayer to Our Lady and then we would sing a Marian hymn. We finished the novena with the celebration of a solemn mass on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which was actually celebrated on the 8 th  here in Italy, and went out to have a nice lunch together. As we celebrated the solemnity we were sure to remember the titular feast of our province and remained close to you all in solidarity. We also had the chance to travel to Benevento on December 12 th , the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, for the solemn profession of Friar Marco Tostado, which took place at the Basilica of the “Madonna delle Grazie”. In the morning, we visited Pietrelcina, the birthplace of Padre Pio, and arrived at the provincial curia of Benevento around noon. We were warmly welcomed by the provincial of Benevento, Fra Antonio Tremigliozzi and the hospitality of the guardian, Fra Davide was appreciated. It was a beautiful, solemn celebration and we were happy to be a part of it. With one week remaining of classes before the Christmas vacation we are ready for a nice relaxing break. As we continue to traverse through the Advent season and prepare ourselves for Christmas we kindly ask you all to keep us in your prayers as you all remain in ours. Have a blessed and merry Christmas from us all here at Convento S. Francesco. Friar Daniel Cavalieri, OFMl

Thanksgiving with the Brothers Thanksgiving Dinner

The brothers visiting Benevento. The Convento's gourmet chef Daniela.

Friar Daniel Morey, OFM, now living at St. Patrick Home, 66 Van Courtlandt Park South, Bronx NY 10463 Friar Simeon Distefano, OFM , is at Mary Manning Walsh Home, 1339 York Ave, New York, NY 10021

Pope Francis issues Apostolic Letter "Admirabile Signum" on the meaning and importance of the Nativity Scene

ROME - Pope Francis on December 1, 2019, defended the display of nativity scenes in town squares and other public places, which has become an annual contentious issue at Christmas time in countries such as the United States and France. The pope traveled to the town of Greccio, east of Rome, to visit the spot where St. Francis of Assisi started the tradition by setting up the first nativity scene in 1223. There, he signed a papal document known as an Apostolic Letter and titled "Admirabile Signum," (Wonderful Sign) on the meaning and importance of the nativity scene. "With this Letter, I wish to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the nativity scene in the days before Christmas, but also the custom of setting it up in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town squares," the document says. Nativity scenes depict the birth of Jesus as Christians believe it took place - the baby and his mother posed in a humble stable setting with animals and shepherds, and kings bearing gifts who arrived days later. The construction of such scenes in public squares or on government property is contested regularly by atheist, free speech or secularist groups. In the United States, groups opposed to nativity scenes in public places say they violate the first amendment of the Constitution, which prohibits the establishment of a state religion. In 1984, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing nativity scenes in public places, saying that they were not an effort to establish or support a particular religion and also possessed what the court called "legitimate secular purposes". Still, even after that ruling, American groups have regularly regularly challenged their use or have demanded equal space on public property to promote their non-religious views. In 2014 in France, a court order to dismantle a nativity scene in a town hall because it violated the country's secular tradition prompted a backlash, which won support from right-wing politicians. In other parts of the document, the pope said the purpose of the nativity scene was to teach "that we cannot let ourselves be fooled by wealth and fleeting promises of happiness" and that they were a reminder to help those less fortunate. "From the manger, Jesus proclaims, in a meek yet powerful way, the need for sharing with the poor as the path to a more human and fraternal world in which no one is excluded or marginalized," he wrote. Earlier, Francis urged people to resist the excesses of consumerism in the period leading up to Christmas, calling it a virus that attacks faith and offends the needy. (For the complete text of the Apostolic Letter, click below) Apostolic Letter on the Nativity

Pope Francis with the friars in Greccio .

January Birthdays Take time to wish our friars a Happy Birthday! Robert Campagna - January 2nd - 73 Vincent de Paul Ciaravino - January 2nd - 79 Bruce Czapla - January 8th - 69 Dominic Poirier - January 8th - 77 Daniel Ramirez Luna- January 19- 20 Joseph Lorenzo - January 25th - 70

News from St. Christopher Friary, Boston

When we lose members to sister death, it makes a significant impact on the community. The little idiosyncrasies, which sometimes annoyed us about a person, are now reminders that he is gone. At St. Christopher Friary we have recently lost two members. With Giles gone we cannot help but laugh each time we have a piece of chocolate and look at it and taste it, savoring each bite. Or, as we pass the refrigerator in the kitchen, there is an almost magnetic desire to tap it shut in a ritualistic pattern as we remember Roland. Our fraternity has been grieving this fall with the loss of these members and the memories of many more. As we prepare for Advent we have made some schedule changes. We have decided

again to do our version of Las Posadas at the end of Advent, where the statutes of Mary and Joseph will seek lodging at each of the friars’ rooms. The host will, of course, supply we singing pilgrims with a bit of food and a beverage as we make the long journey via elevator from the chapel to one of the rooms.  We have also decided to institute Lectio Divina in common on Friday before evening prayer. Our monthly day of recollection for Advent included a talk by Sr. Margaret Guider, OSF. Sr. Margaret is a faculty member of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. During our adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, we also remembered our monthly community petition for those suffering as a result of the opioid epidemic. Our social lives have not diminished. The fraternity will enjoy dinner at The Continental in Saugus, MA on the evening of the Immaculate Conception and our Christmas party is scheduled for Dec. 11. The friars at St. Christopher wish everyone a blessed and grace-filled Christmas and New Year.

Masses for the Deceased New York and Boston New York- Calvary Cemetery

Boston- St. Christopher Friary

Saint Anthony Church, Manhattan, Hosts Healing Awakening Services On December 11 and 12, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Manhattan, hosted two nights of worship, teaching, and prayer, called “Healing Awakening Services.”  The services began with Candlelight Worship, followed by a teaching on healing and freedom by Judith MacNutt, co-founder of Christian Healing Ministries.  At 8:45 PM Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was held, and with worship and prayer ministry.  The CHM team led prayer in the front of the church, and confessions were offered in the back of the church for all who desired it.   These services were sponsored by Christian Healing Ministries, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, St. Anthony of Padua Church, and the Basilica of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  Refreshments followed.

Seventeenth Century Franciscan Chapel Uncovered in Florida Franciscans arrived in Florida in 1565, two-hundred years before the establishment of the California Missions. An ongoing archaeological dig at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine, Florida, USA is now open to the general public through Dec. 13. The excavation has uncovered the foundations of the 17th century stone chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto (Our Lady of the Milk and a Happy Delivery), and provided valuable insight into the day to day lives of the Franciscan Friars, the Timucua Indians, and others who resided at the mission for almost two centuries. The Franciscan Friars arrived here, at the site where Pedro Menéndez had come ashore in 1565 and founded the city of St. Augustine, as early as 1587 – nearly 200 years before the establishment of the California missions. This relatively unknown period in our country’s history is coming more clearly into focus as scholars study the archaeological site and Spanish-Timucua documents. Under the direction of Archaeologist Dr. Kathleen Deagan and Historian-Theologian Dr. Timothy Johnson of Flagler College, a team of archaeologists, volunteers, faculty and students from Flagler College are painstakingly uncovering details of the chapel building itself and items such as Native and Spanish pottery, food remains, glass bottle fragments, nails, and beads providing contextual insight into the culture and life at the mission. America’s oldest shrine, Our Lady of La Leche, was recently designated a National Shrine by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The devotion to Our Lady was fostered in Florida by Franciscan missionaries shortly after they arrived and established Mission Nombre de Dios in 1587. A small convent was added to the stone chapel during the early 18th century to house the friars who tended the shrine. The Our Lady of La Leche National Shrine at Mission Nombre de Dios is located at 101 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. This sacred and historic property is owned and operated by the Diocese of St. Augustine and is open to the public daily. The excavation site is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission, and free parking is available. You can follow this exciting archaeological excavation by visiting the blog: #digNombredeDios hosted by FPAN at Flagler College. The archaeological dig is made possible thanks to the support of the Diocese of St. Augustine, the Academy of American Franciscan History, The Historic St. Augustine Research Institute and Flagler College. This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the State of Florida.   More information: CONTACT: Kathleen Bagg (904) 262-1705/office (904) 434-3909/cell

Christmas at Greccio: The Creche Story as told by Thomas of Celano

His highest aim, foremost desire, and greatest intention was to pay heed to the holy gospel in all things and through all things, to follow the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and to retrace His footsteps completely with all vigilance and all zeal, all the desire of his soul and all the fervor of his heart.  Francis used to recall with regular meditation the words of Christ and recollect His deeds with most attentive perception. Indeed, so thoroughly did the humility of the Incarnation and the charity of the Passion occupy his memory that he scarcely wanted to think of anything else.  We should note then, as matter worthy of memory and something to be recalled with reverence, what he did, three years prior to his death, at the town of Greccio, on the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. There was a certain man in that area named John who had a good reputation but an even better manner of life. Blessed Francis loved him with special affection, since, despite being a noble in the land and very honored in human society, he had trampled the nobility of the flesh under his feet and pursued instead the nobility of the spirit. As usual, blessed Francis had John summoned to him some fifteen days prior to the birthday of the Lord. “If you desire to celebrate the coming feast of the Lord together at Greccio,” he said to him, “hurry before me and carefully make ready the things I tell you. For I wish to enact the memory of that babe who was born in Bethlehem: to see as much as is possible with my own bodily eyes the discomfort of his infant needs, how he lay in a manger, and how, with an ox and an ass standing by, he rested on hay.” Once the good and faithful man had heard Francis’s words, he ran quickly and prepared in that place all the things that the holy man had requested.  Finally, the day of joy has drawn near, the time of exultation has come. From many different places the brethren have been called. As they could, the men and women of that land with exultant hearts prepare candles and torches to light up that night whose shining star has enlightened every day and year. Finally, the holy man of God comes and, finding all things prepared, he saw them and was glad. Indeed, the manger is prepared, the hay is carried in, and the ox and the ass are led to the spot. There simplicity is given a place of honor, poverty is exalted, humility is commended, and out of Greccio is made a new Bethlehem.  The night is lit up like day, delighting both man and beast. The people arrive, ecstatic at this new mystery of new joy. The forest amplifies the cries and the boulders echo back the joyful crowd. The brothers sing, giving God due praise, and the whole night abounds with jubilation. The holy man of God stands before the manger, filled with heartfelt sighs, contrite in his piety, and overcome with wondrous joy. Over the manger the solemnities of the Mass are celebrated and the priest enjoys a new consolation.  The holy man of God is dressed in the vestments of the Levites, since he was a Levite, and with full voice sings the holy gospel. [Thomas is the first to suggest that Francis was a deacon.] Here is his voice: a powerful voice, a pleasant voice, a clear voice, a musical voice, inviting all to the highest of gifts. Then he preaches to the people standing around him and pours forth sweet honey about the birth of the poor King and the poor city of Bethlehem. Moreover, burning with excessive love, he often calls Christ the “babe from Bethlehem” whenever he means to call Him Jesus.  Saying the word “Bethlehem” in the manner of a bleating sheep, he fills his whole mouth with sound but even more with sweet affection. He seems to lick his lips whenever he uses the expressions “Jesus” or “babe from Bethlehem,” tasting the word on his happy palate and savoring the sweetness of the word. The gifts of the Almighty are multiplied there and a virtuous man sees a wondrous vision. For the man saw a little child lying lifeless in the manger and he saw the holy man of God approach the child and waken him from a deep sleep. Nor is this vision unfitting, since in the hearts of many the child Jesus has been given over to oblivion. Now he is awakened and impressed on their loving memory by His own grace through His holy servant Francis. At length, the night’s solemnities draw to a close and everyone went home with joy.

Custodia Terrae Santae Christmas in the Holy Land Day of Preparation for Christmas by the Young People of the Holy Land

Joy, dances, praise to God, sharing and prayer: these were the moments that marked the day of preparation for Christmas by the young people of the Holy land on Sunday 15th December. The meeting was organized in Bethlehem by Fr. Emad Rofael, who is responsible for youth pastoral care for the Custody of the Holy Land, with the subject: “Our nourishment is in the manger”. After some dances to express the joy of faith and sharing, the prayers of praise began, accompanied by the instruments and voices of the friars and nuns present. About one hundred youngsters from all the Holy Land were in the theatre of the Franciscan school in Bethlehem. “We follow the young people who come from Galilee with two meetings a year. But also those from Jerusalem and Bethlehem,” said Fr. Emad. “The ones who are here want to grow closer to the Lord and show a strong desire for God. We do not look at the numbers, but we accompany those who want to make a commitment for the renewal of spiritual life.” Fr. Emad recalled that most of the youngsters approached the world of the Franciscans and the Church thanks to the Franciscan walk. “Last summer’s walk has brought great results up to today,” Fr. Emad went on. “Some young people have had a radical change in their lives, as their mothers have told us. I can see that they want to continue drinking in the desire for God and as a group of friars and nuns we try to do our best to help them with a meeting at Christmas and one in preparation for Easter.”  It was Fr. Mario Hadchiti, head of the Holy Land School of Jericho, who explained the topic of the day. “God wanted to be born in a manger, the place where food is put for animals became the place where he who is spiritual food for each person was placed,” said Fr. Mario. “Sin transforms man into an animal, but Jesus gave humanity dignity, declaring and rejoicing in being 'the son of man'.” Fr. Mario explained to the youngsters that they should never choose the easy and comfortable paths, as God did by choosing to become a man and be born in a manger. “Like the Magi who came to offer gifts, but returned by a different route, this is how we today live this day and celebrate Christmas, we cannot return as we came,” Fr. Mario said.  Singing and playing, the youngsters of the Holy Land and the friars went to visit the Grotto of the Nativity, where there was a moment of prayer. The young people then set off from there to reach the Shepherds’ Field in Beit Sahour on foot.  “Since we started to go on the Franciscan walk, I have also been coming with joy to the meetings organized by the Custody and now I know many of the participants,” said Clara, aged twenty from Bethlehem. Rami, seventeen, on the other hand, is one of those who left Galilee at dawn to take part in the day in preparation for Christmas. “I love these moments because I meet God, I find happiness and the peace that I am always looking for.” After lunch in the garden of the convent of the Shepherds’ Field, the young people divided into groups to reflect and then share the contents coming out from the morning catechism of Fr. Mario. The day came to an end with the mass celebrated by the Custos, Fr. Francesco Patton.  “I have tried to encourage the youngsters to respect women and people and not to complain of poverty,” commented Fr. Mario. “Just as God transformed the manger, God can transform their lives and their thoughts.”  Written by Beatrice Guarrera

Prayer Requests

 PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE FRIARS  WHO HAVE RECENTLY DIED Friar Joachim Lux, OFM, (St. John Baptist Province) Friar Melvin Wierzbicki, OFM , (Assumption Province) Friar John Rausch, OFM (Sacred Heart Province Friar Philip O'Shea, OFM (Holy Name Province) Friar Roland Petinge, OFM (Immaculate Conception Province) Friar Peter Baptist Fritz, OFM (Sacred Heart Province) Friar Giles Barreda, OFM  (Immaculate Conception Province) Friar Vianney Sipulski, OFM  (Assumption Province) Friar Finian McGinn, OFM  (St. Barbara Province) Friar James Toal, OFM  (Holy Name Province) Friar Edward Coughlin, OFM  (Holy Name Province) Friar Eric Pilarcik, OFM  (St. Barbara Province) Recently Deceased Family and Friends Joseph Micallef (Brother of Friar Albert Micallef, OFM) Theresa Agrusa (Sister of Friar Felician Napoli, OFM) Paolina Calabria (Long-time cook at Immaculate Conception, Toronto) Zenaida Amigleo Te (mother of Friar Alvin Te) Michael DeBenedictus (Music Minister at Catskill) Let us pray for our infirm friars: Friar Michael Perry, OFM (Minister General) Friar Jim Villa, OFM Friar John Bavaro, OFM Fr. Simeon Distefano, OFM Friar Thomas Hollowood, OFM Friar Daniel Morey, OFM Friar Amedeo Nardone, OFM Friar Armand Padula, OFM Friar Flavian Mucci, OFM  Friar Claudio Moser, OFM  For our friars in skilled nursing and rehab facilities: Friar Simeon Distefano, OFM Friar Daniel Morey, OFM Friar John Bavaro, OFM Friar Philip Adamo, OFM Friar Lawrence Stumpo, OFM Fr. Clement Procopio, OFM Please pray for all friars, families, friends, and benefactors, living and deceased.

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