Our New International Minister
Beginning on Monday, September 3, 2018, the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin has a new Minister General: Br. Roberto Genuin, OFM Cap., a member of the Province of the Holy Cross, Italy. In the vote held today during the 185th General Chapter in Rome, Roberto was elected on the first ballot obtaining 101 votes out of 188 of the capitulars, representing the more than 10,000 Friars scattered throughout the world. Having accepted the Chapter’s decision, he became our new International Minister, traditionally considered the "successor to St. Francis of Assisi," and the brother who is called to serve the needs of the Order, the brothers who live the life of the Friars Minor Capuchin.
Br. Tage Ordained a Deacon
We didn't have to wait long to get the number of Provincial deacons back to two. Our brother Phil White, OFM Cap., was ordained to the priesthood in June, but the summer's ending witnessed the diaconate ordination of Br. Tage Danielson, OFM Cap., on Saturday, September 1.
Our Brothers are now Vowed for Life
Five of our brothers made their perpetual profession of Solemn Vows as Capuchin Franciscan Friars on Saturday, August 18, at our Mother church of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh, PA. You can see all the photos in our web Gallery.
We thank the Lord for the gift of our brothers' covenant, and we pray that the Lord continue to bless their journeys in the footprints of Jesus Christ as St. Francis of Assisi inspired us.
First Vows for Three Friars
July saw the first Profession of our brothers Paul Rahn, OFM Cap., Collin Kourtz, OFM Cap. & Mike Herlihy, OFM Cap. They completed their year of novitiate in July. Held at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Allison Park, PA, the ceremony marks the brothers' initial commitment to their lives as Capuchin Franciscans. The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience bind them to our fraternity and to the life of the Church in its mission to live the life of the Gospel.
Novitiate: A Year of Prayer & Brotherhood
Our life is not about habits - the traditional garment worn by the Capuchin brotherhood. It's about the life of the person wearing it, and our Capuchin Province of St. Augustine rejoices in the four brothers who donned that habit in July.
Novices and newest "Brothers" (clockwise from upper right) Seth Dwyer, Joe Morton and Luke Kim began their novitiate year on July 22nd and join their 12 other confreres under the guidance of Novice Director Robert Stewart, OFM Cap. (Australia) and our own Phil Bernier, OFM Cap. & Bill Talentino, OFM Cap., who serve on the novitiate staff.
The 2018 Fr. Bill Memorial Golf Outing
The 2018 Fr. Bill Memorial Golf Outing was a great success on Friday, August 3rd. It was preceded the night before by a Mass celebrated by Province Secretary Frank Yacobi, OFM Cap. The music group was a reunion of various musicians from over the years. St. Fidelis Seminary closed its doors 38 years ago, but we're so grateful to our alumni and their families who continue to hold their experience of community and faith precious - as well as remembering the faith and dedication of our Capuchin brothers who served there.
Continents apart: Two friars Ordained for Ministry
Our brothers Phil White, OFM Cap., and Patrick Monahan, OFM Cap., were ordained in June, and while they were ordained "worlds apart," they could not be more united in our Capuchin brotherhood.
Br. Akolla Is Ordained a Deacon
On Saturday, May 5, 2018, our brother Akolla Etuge, OFM Cap., was ordained as a deacon at the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. He was ordained along with Carmelite friar Jorge Monterosso, O. Carm., by Washington, DC's Auxiliary Bishop Mario Eduardo Dorsonville. Bishop Dorsonville, a native of Columbia, had the opportunity to confer the sacrament with Br. Jorge, a native of Guatamala, and our own Br. Akolla, a native of Camerun, in a truly international moment for our communities in the United States.
Br. Saúl Soriano, 1986-2018
Our brother Saúl Antonio Soriano Rodriguez, OFM Cap., a perpetually professed friar of the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine, Pittsburgh, PA, died early Monday morning, May 7, 2018, while in surgery at the Washington Hospital Center in DC. His death was the result of catastrophic blood loss resulting from a congenital arterial weakness. He was 31 years of age.
Saúl was born in Santa Tecla, El Salvador, on August 18, 1986, the youngest child and only son of Maria Fredis Rodriguez Fernandez and the late Antonio Soriano Amaya. Having attended the Institute Emiliani Catholic School in El Salvador before emigrating to the US with his family when he was 18, he completed his high school education at Thomas Edison High School, Alexandria, VA, in 2007. In 2008, Saúl entered the Capuchin Formation Program at Borromeo College Seminary in Wickliffe, OH, graduating from John Carroll University Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Philosophy in 2012.
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