Friar Students Spread & Go Viral
Our brother Alex Hostoffer, OFM Cap. is leading our postulants during a "Quarantine period" at our mountain retreat of Alverno in Salisbury, PA. They're joined by brother Brian Stacy, OFM Cap,, staff member of our College Formation Program in Wickliffe, OH. The College program has been in "virtual existence" until the end of the semester.
The postulants began their volutary quarantine on Sunday, April 26, and will stay until Sunday, May 10. The reason for the forced separation, Br. Alex explained, was not from any contagion they've suffered. "We would like to send the postulants home for vacation on May 10th." Because of their work among the women and men of Philadelphia through their ministries, they want to make sure that none of them become sick in this transitional period so as not to endanger family or friends.
See the rest of their story & new ventures for our friar students
Our Brother Tage is Ordained a Priest
When our brother Tage Danielson, OFM Cap., reflected on his vocation story, he once wrote: Having found joy in being with the Capuchin friars, and discerning that I should try out this vocation, I entered postulancy in July 2011 and I never looked back. In August of 2016, I professed my perpetual vows. Now, I look forward to the day when I will be ordained a priest.
The sun was beaming into St. Catherine of Sweden Church in Allison Park, PA, when that day arrived for the ordination on Saturday, September 28th. Bishop David Zubik, Ordinary of the Pittsburgh Diocese, did the honors.
Perpetual Vows for Brs. Steve & Rigo
On August 17th, our brothers Rigo Azanwi, OFM Cap., and Stephen Wright, OFM Cap., made their perpetual vows as Capuchin Franciscans in ceremonies held at our mother-church of St. Augustine's in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, PA.
The friars, having completed their three years of temporary profession, will continue to live at Capuchin College (St. Francis Friary) in Washington, DC. Br. Steve has taken on the assignment of fraternity service and has been spending time training as our Provincial tailor, an indispensible ministry to the friars (you just can't order habits on Amazon!). Br. Rigo was ordained a deacon on Saturday, September 8, in Washington, DC, and will take on his diaconate internship after finishing up his studies.
Borromeo CFP Begins Again
The Academic Year 2019-20 began in earnest on Tuesday, September 2, at John Carroll University in Cleveland. Six young men resumed their classes as they forge another year of studies, prayer and community - all the while discerning the Lord's path for them and their futures. All of them are residents at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, OH, where our Capuchin Formation Program (CFP) allows them the opportunity to live in community and discern their vocations as Capuchin Franciscan friars.
Investiture 2019
Our newest novices were invested in their Capuchin habits in July, the official beginning of their Novitiate year of discernment before making their vows of poverty, chastity and obediience.
Brothers from our Province of St. Augustine were on hand for the occasion. Brs. Jim Froehlich (Director of the Interprovincial Pre-Novitiate Program) and Br. Bill Gillum (Assistant Director, and on the formation team at Capuchin College in DC) accompanied the group to their new home in Santa Ynez, CA, to join the friars from all the Provinces of the NAPPCC (the Capuchin Conference of North America & the Pacific) who have novices present this year. Other Provincial friars included Br. Phil Bernier (Assistant Novice Director), Br. Bill Talentino (Novitiate team member) and Br. Raf Anguiano (Vocation Director).
Prayers and blessings go out to our novices Matt Lontz, Mehari Worku, Sebastian Rojas, Tony Rivera, Simon Falk, Steve Cantwell, Carl Schulz and to Alexander Santana from the Capuchin Stigmata Province who joined the group for the Postulancy year in Philly. You'll see each of them in the photos below . . . .
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