Dear Brothers in the Lord and Saint Francis,
Happy Feast Day of our Holy Father Francis!
Recently, especially in our novena, we have been praying, “Saint Francis, pray for us!” As I said in a previous letter, Saint Francis, in his glory in Heaven, is concerned for each one of us and for us as a province as a whole. I have no doubts that he is interceding for us: that we may live the Gospel Life with a deeper self-offering and that we might bring that life to others through our prayers and ministry.
As you all know, this has been a bit of a rollercoaster summer in the province what with the
changes of Friars in and out of the province and the changes in a few of our fraternities. We have been recently blessed with the Episcopal ordination of our brother Matthew. What a blessing to have him both as a bishop and as one of our brothers: as St. Francis used to call St. Anthony … “My Bishop” -we can now do the same in our own province! May God bless him and those to whom he ministers!
My prayer at this moment is that we all love and grow deeper in one of the central aspects of our Capuchin Franciscan Life: Fraternity. St. Francis, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was insistent that we both model brotherhood one to another and to those whom we meet. This is a hallmark of our
iife that helps us and others to grow closer to God. I, as I am sure it is the same for all of you, have heard many people remark how they see us living and ministering together; that it inspires them in their faith. So simple, yet effective. I remember praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet in our Brother Ron’s hospital
room with him a couple of days before he died; it was a grace-filled moment of a family, a fraternity . .\ifay our Holy Father Francis, inspire us to be better Capuchins and followers of Christ!
I thank you, brothers, whom the Lord has given to me and to each other, for all your support through these times. Please keep me and the province I your prayers; know that you are in mine!
Our Lady of Angels, pray for us. Saint Francis of Assisi, Pray for us.
Your brother,
Joseph Seraphin
