Capuchin Franciscans

Live Stream for Br. Victor Taglianetti's Ordination May 8th, 2021 https://youtu.be/wlhDYelznGo

FEAST OF SAINT CRISPIN OF VITERBO Today, May 19, the Church celebrates the memory of our Capuchin brother St. Crispin of Viterbo who served the people of God in northern Italy in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was known and loved for his humility and his simplicity, expressions of his encounter with the loving presence of God in his life and in all the people he encountered. Crispin treated everyone who crossed his path the same way, whether they were royalty or... government officials or whether they were the hard-working men and women who came to him for material assistance and for a sense of hope and encouragement. In particular, he made sure he went to visit those of his brothers and sisters who were in the hospital or in prison, seeing in them the face of the suffering Christ. A true Capuchin if there ever was one St. Crispin of Viterbo, pray for us!

FEAST OF SAINT FELIX OF CANTALICE Today May 18 the Church celebrates the memory of our Capuchin brother St. Felix of Cantalice, who served the people of God in Rome in the 16th century as a quester for the poor. He is also the first Capuchin to be named a saint, and definitely not the last! St. Felix, pray for us!... The saint we celebrate today, our Capuchin brother St. Felix of Cantalice, was called by the people he knew in Rome as Brother Deo Gratias!- because he would always say- Thanks be to God!, and many times not in reference to anything particular at all. It’s just that his heart was full of gratitude for all that the Lord had done, for himself and for everyone else whether they had realized it or not, and he had to proclaim that to whoever would listen. And he said that as we come to know that in all things God has blessed us, anytime someone thanks us for anything we should automatically refer them to the author of all things and of all blessings, and even better, not just in words but also by sharing those blessings with whoever needs them. Which is something we already do as much as we can and Thanks be to God! for that.

FEAST OF SAINT LEOPOLD MANDIC Today is the feast day of one of the great Capuchin saints of mercy, St Leopold Mandic of Herzegovina (1866-1942). He heard confessions for ten to twelve hours a day, irrespective of the cold, heat, weariness or illness. Stay calm, he used to say to his penitents, put everything on my shoulders. I will look after it. He took on himself sacrifices, prayers, night vigils, fasts and disciplines. He met each penitent with joy and gratitude. Once a penitent entered Leopoldo’s cell and sat on his armchair. Leopoldo heard his confession while kneeling down himself. He was a great little (1.35m) holy man with a big, big heart and a way and manner of tender mercy. He offered his ministry in the Confessional for an intention that was very dear to his heart - for union amongst Christians. St Leopold, pray for us!

FEASTDAY OF SAINT IGNATIUS OF LACONI Today Capuchin-Franciscans celebrate the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Laconi (1701-1781). St. Ignatius was born on the island of Sardinia, a part of Italy. As a young man, he became seriously ill. He made a vow that he would become a Capuchin if he recovered. His health was restored but the young man neglected to keep his promise. Later, he was thrown from a horse and almost killed. This motivated him to fulfill his vow and ask to be admitt...ed to the Capuchins. Because of his questionable health, the friars were reluctant to admit him. Finally, with the help of an influential friend he was accepted into the Capuchins. He then spent the rest of his life as a simple brother, mostly serving as a quester, begging alms for the needs of his brothers. Walking the streets of Caligari, Ignatius became well loved for his simplicity, kindness, and holiness. He also had integrity, demonstrated when his blood brother was jailed he sought Ignatius’ help to get him released. Ignatius spoke to the the governor of the prison asking only that he be dealt with justly. Those who are filled with God's grace and live as friends of Jesus radiate the light of Christ. The people of Caligari experienced this in St. Ignatius. Each of us is called to have the faith and do the works that will let those around us see the bright glory of Christ alive in our hearts. We too are called to be saints.

FEAST OF BLESSED JEREMIAH OF WALLACHIA Today Capuchin-Franciscans celebrate the Memorial of Blessed Jeremiah of Wallachia (1556-1625). He is the first Romanian to be beatified, although he left his homeland where he had been born into a family of prosperous farmers. Catholics were a minority in his village with more Orthodox and Protestant Christians living there. Supposedly, he left his home saying he wanted to live in Italy where "all the best Christians lived." He experien...ced what we would call a reality check. Undaunted, this young man who was assisting a physician decided to join the Capuchins, then one of the strictest of the religious orders. Eventually he was assigned to a friary where he spent the rest of his life as the infirmarian, caring for the sick and the friars. This was not always easy. With good humor he referred to one particularly difficult and cranky friar as "my recreation." One account of Blessed Jeremiah's life demonstrates the lengths to which he would go to fulfill his ministry. Brother Jeremiah felt the sick and the poor deserved the very best. He would get up very early to quest for high quality wine, long before the questing Brothers had left the house. This did not amuse the questors who felt robbed and Brother Jeremiah christened his wine flask 'the little bandit'. He would gleefully pour wine from the flask to share it with the sick Brothers, saying, 'Cheer up! I brought ’the little bandit’ even though I had to face the threats of the questors!'"

Pope names two more Capuchins to the College of Cardinals yesterday, including the papal preacher, Raniero Cantalamessa. A Conventual Franciscan was also named: the minister of the Sacro Convento in Assisi. The Archbishop of Washington, WIlton Gregory, will receive the honor, as well. That brings the numbers of Capuchins who are Cardinals to 4: the Archbishops of Boston, Santiago, Kinshasa, and the papal preacher.

The student brothers will be releasing a series of videos on prayer. Come check it out at the provincial youtube channel CAPTiVate

<3 <3 <3 FULL TEXT OF POPE FRANCIS' ENCYCLICAL WE ARE ALL BROTHERS

Commemoration of St. Francis' passing from this world to his Maker. Transitus 2020 at St. Conrad Friary, Berkeley CA

SOLEMNITY OF OUR HOLY FATHER SAINT FRANCIS On behalf of all the Capuchin friars of the Western America Province of Our Lady of Angels we want to wish you all a very happy Feastday on the Solemnity of our Holy Father Saint Francis. May the joyful spirit of our Holy Father Saint Francis fill our hearts and produce in us the spiritual fruits of care of creation, love of our Church, devotion to our Blessed Mother, devotion to the Incarnation, Eucharist and Passion of Our Lord, an...d a genuine sense of fraternity and minority so that we may be instruments of peace and renewal in our Church and in our world as our Holy Father Saint Francis was. You and your intentions will all be remembered in our prayers and Masses. "Heavenly Father: You exalted your servant Francis through sublime poverty and humility to the heights of evangelical perfection. You inflamed him with seraphic love to exalt with unspeakable joy over all the works of your creation. Branding him with the sacred stigmata, you gave us the image of the crucified Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that, by walking in Francis' footsteps, we may follow your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Come join the brothers this evening Oct 3rd at 7 PM PST for a live stream of the Transitus of St. Francis at St. Conrad Friary

Today is the feast day of St Ignatius of Santhia (1686-1770), Capuchin and priest. In fact, today marks the 250th anniversary of his death!! Already a priest, he joined the Capuchins at age 30 saying, Up until now, I have done my will; but to truly serve the Lord, I have to do His will; and in order to do this, it will be necessary to put me under obedience. Our Capuchin General Minister wrote us a letter on him to mark this special occasion: https://www.ofmcap.org/.../Lettera_MG_Ignazio_da_Santhia...

Our New Postulant Marciano Receives the Tau O God, author and giver of a holy vocation, look with kindness upon our brother Marciano who begins his postulancy year. Through the prayers and merits of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, and the intercession of our Seraphic Father Saint Francis, grant that during this postulancy year he may learn how to praise you simply and frequently, obey humbly, preserve purity of heart and body, be zealous to live the Gospel and for most holy poverty and strive to do your holy will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

TODAY IS THE FEASTDAY OF OUR CAPUCHIN BROTHER SAINT FRANCIS MARY CAMPOROSSO Victim of Charity In 1866, as soon as cholera was first detected on board a merchant ship which had docked in Genoa, all the other shipping too was quarantined. Nevertheless the cholera epidemic had already spread to the city on 'August the 5th. Despite the warnings of others and overcoming his fears, his own and others' fears, brother Francis Mary, desiring that he be sacrificed as a victim of char...ity, rushed to be among the sick and offer them help. By the end of August, 232 reported cases of cholera infection had been reported and 130 fatalities had already occurred. On September the 15th, 1866, Brother Francis Mary was infected cholera and two days later he was dead. His body encased in a lead casket was hastily buried in the cemetery at Staglieno. From that day on. Genoa city's number of cholera infections rapidly decreased and within a few weeks the epidemic was totally eradicated. Accordingly, Genoa's citizens insisted that this seemingly miraculous event had come about thanks to the sacrifice and prayers of Brother Francis Mary, the "Holy Father", whom they loved and by whom they in turn had been loved. PRAYER TO SAINT FRANCIS MARY Merciful God, through the intersession of St. Francis Mary who suffered and died from the plague of cholera, hear our fervent prayer for all who suffer from the coronavirus. May those who are infected receive the proper treatment and the comfort of your healing presence. May their caregivers, families and neighbors be shielded from the onslaught of the virus. Give solace to those who grieve the loss of loved ones. Protect and guide those who strive to find a cure, that their work may conquer the disease and restore communities to wholeness and health. Help us to rise above fear. We ask all this through the intercession of St. Francis Mary and in the name of your Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH To you, O blessed Joseph, do we have recourse in our tribulation, and we confidently invoke your patronage also. By that charity wherewith you were united to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which you did embrace the Child Jesus, we beseech you and we humbly pray, that you would look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by His Blood, and assist us in our needs by your power and strength.... Most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the Church of Jesus Christ; keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption: mercifully assist us from Heaven, most mighty defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness; and, even as of old you did rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; keep us one and all under your continual protection, that we may be supported by your example and your assistance, may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in Heaven. Amen.

Oh, Almighty God, whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe, watch over all Firefighters. Protect them from harm in the performance of their duty to fight fire, save lives, and preserve property. We pray, help them to keep our homes and all buildings safe day and night. We recommend them to Your loving care because their duty is dangerous. Grant them Your unending strength and courage in their daily assignments. Dear God, protect these brave persons. Grant them Your Almighty protection and unite them safely with their families after duty has ended. Amen.