Fr. Fabian Grifone, OFM, stationed at Padua Friary in New York City, has died at the age of 93.

Immaculate Conception Province

This is the Christmas Letter from Br. Michael Perry, OFM, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor.

Noora Green, mother of Friar Carl Green, one of our novices, has passed away. Please remember her in your prayers. No other information is available at this time.

May the soul of our brother Eric and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Read about Formation, parish events, transitions, and news from the General Curia.

After 58 years of parish ministry, the Province has completed its ministry at St. Pamphilus Church in the Beechview Section of Pittsburgh, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA.

Read about Formation News, investiture of new novices in Assisi, reception of new postulants, Fiftieth Anniversary of Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center, and other important items.

We entrust to your prayers the repose of the soul of Mrs. Isabelle M. (Lepene) Hall, mother of Friar Roger Hall, OFM.

On Sunday, September 16, 2018, Mount Alvernia Retreat Center in Wappingers Falls NY celebrated their Fiftieth Anniversary with a concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving.

The program began on Tuesday, September 4. The friars on the formation team are Friar Pierre Farrugia, OFM and Friar Peter Furgiuele, OFM. Welcome to our new postulants

On September 3, Friar Roberto Genuin, OFM Cap., was elected General Minister.

September 8 at the Sanctuary of San Damiano, Assisi.

We entrust to your prayers the soul of Sheila A. (Mitchell) Washburn, beloved mother of Friar Thomas Washburn, OFM, who was called peacefully home to the Lord on Monday, July 9, 2018.

Congratulations to those friars who are celebrating jubilees this year. See the full list of anniversaries here.

We received word that, Maria Grazia (D'Aguanno) Nardoianni, beloved mother of our brother, Friar Antonio Naroianni, O.F.M., passed into eternal life in the early morning hours of April 26, 2018. Details concerning her Wake, Mass of Christian Burial and Interment are still being finalized, however I can inform you at this time, that all services will take place in Villa S. Lucia, (FR), Italy where she died. Our brother, Friar Antonio, presently serves the Church and our Province as Pastor of St. Leonard Church, Boston, Massachusetts. " For the deceased parents of our professed religious and novices, the community of which the bereaved religious is a member, shall celebrate the Eucharist five times, and all other communities twice." PS 8-4

We commend to your prayers the soul of our brother, Friar Robert Artman, OFM, (61) who passed into eternal life on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 21, 2018, while fighting valiantly against the debilitating effects caused by an inoperable tumor in his brain.  At the time of his passing, he was receiving hospice care at St. Christopher Friary, Boston, Massachusetts, where he also served as Guardian and Director of Health Care.

Friar James Goode, OFM has announced the "Franciscans Together in Mission for the Franciscan Missionary Union" campaign. The campaign asks for prayers, compassionate offerings, and donations.