Postulants Begin their Capuchin Journey
On July 16, 2020, our newest Postulants were received into the community at our Padre Pio Friary in Philadelphia, PA, where they will live and work together in this first year of formation in our Capuchin life and work. Our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., led the initiation and offered words of encouragement and challenge as these men embark on their journey to become Capuchin friars. The men who were completing their year of postulancy and heading for their novitiate year in Santa Ynez, CA, were also present "thanks" to the COVID-19 delay in beginning their year with other novices of the North American/Pacific Capuchin Conference.
"I vow to live the Gospel"
Our brothers Stephen Cantwell and Anthony Rivera (along side our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap.) have now, officially, added "OFM Cap." to their names. On Saturday, July 18th, the two men professed their vows to "follow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" in the footprints of St. Francis of Assisi. They spent the past year as "novices:" they received the habit and spent time in work, discernment, formation and prayer. Br. Steve and Br. Tony will now move on to our friary in Washington, DC, to join the other brothers in initial formation. Their "post-novitiate" is a time of more focused study while living in fraternity to prepare for ministry in the Church.
15 Men Get into the Capuchin Habit
Soon after the celebration of the Profession of vows of our men in Pittsburgh (see the article) on Saturday, July 18th, marking the end of their "novitiate year," a new "novitiate year began in Santa Ynez, CA, where the men of the North American & Pacific Conference gathered for their "Investiture:" the day they receive the habit of our brotherhood and begin their 12 months of prayer, work and discernment in comminuty.
Ryan Schmeltzer, Jack Lampton, Connor Bannon, Daniel Sullivan and Josean Castro-Arroyo were there from our Province of St. Augustine.
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.
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