Pope Francis canonizes Franciscan friar junipero serra
CMSM welcomes Pope Francis!
CMSM members representing many communities and institutes of religious men from the US are celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life in a major way this week as Pope Francis visits the United States for the first time.
Perhaps the pinnacle of the week's historic events was the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception celebrated on Sept. 23, 2015 during which the Pope canonized another religious, Father Junípero Serra, an 18th century Franciscan priest most famous for having founded nine missions in what is now California. Those who were unable to be at this historic canonization in person or "attend" via television, radio, or internet may read the Mass program here.
Perhaps the pinnacle of the week's historic events was the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception celebrated on Sept. 23, 2015 during which the Pope canonized another religious, Father Junípero Serra, an 18th century Franciscan priest most famous for having founded nine missions in what is now California. Those who were unable to be at this historic canonization in person or "attend" via television, radio, or internet may read the Mass program here.
One CMSM member who played an early vital role in the canonization of Junípero Serra is Franciscan Fr. Ken Laverone, OFM of the Santa Barbara (California) Province. In addition to his role as a councilor for his province of Franciscan friars, Fr. Ken has been the co-postulator for the cause of canonization for the new saint and had the unique honor of reading the biography of the new saint at the canonization Mass. CMSM congratulates Fr. Ken on this wonderful occasion and invites others to read a Catholic News Service article about his work here.
CMSM Members welcome the holy father to the united states
Fr. Michael Perry, OFM
General Minister
Among the first to proudly welcome Pope Francis to the US was former CMSM member from the Sacred Heart Province of Franciscans, Fr. Michael Perry, OFM. Fr. Michael was re-elected in May to serve his global community as the General Minister of the Order of Friars Minor. Listen to his recorded Papal welcome here.
Fr. Kevin Mullen, OFM, the current Minister Provincial of the Holy Name Province of Franciscans, also took the time to welcome the Holy Father to the US. Listen to his comments here.
Franciscans throughout the world are rejoicing that one of their own, Spanish missionary, Father Junipero Serra, is now the Church's newest saint, and the first canonized on American soil.
Fr. Kevin Mullen, OFM, the current Minister Provincial of the Holy Name Province of Franciscans, also took the time to welcome the Holy Father to the US. Listen to his comments here.
Franciscans throughout the world are rejoicing that one of their own, Spanish missionary, Father Junipero Serra, is now the Church's newest saint, and the first canonized on American soil.
Fr. Scott Pilarz, SJ
Georgetown Prep
Jesuits around the United States have also been delighted to see their brother Jesuit, Pope Francis, as he began his apostolic visit in Washington. Fr. Scott Pilarz, SJ, president of Georgetown Prep, and Fr. David Sauter, SJ, superior of the Jesuit Community there, were joined by nine students, along with their Headmaster and Campus Ministry Director, to greet the Holy Father early on Wednesday morning outside the Apostolic Nunciature.
Fr. Pilarz shared a special moment with Pope Francis as the world's #1 Jesuit greeted the crowd before leaving for the White House. Fr. Pilarz shook hands with the Pope and told him he too was a Jesuit and worked at Georgetown Prep. Pope Francis stopped, smiled, and told Fr. Pilarz, "Pray for me. Please pray for me. This work is not easy." Fr. Pilarz told his students that the Pope repeated his request a third time: "Please pray for me every day." He promised he would!
CMSM National Board member Fr. Tim Kesicki, SJ, was joined by several other Jesuits at the White House ceremony welcoming Pope Francis, including Fr. Thomas Reese, SJ, senior analyst for National Catholic Reporter, and Fr. Robert Niehoff, SJ, president of John Carroll University in Cleveland.
Fr. Pilarz shared a special moment with Pope Francis as the world's #1 Jesuit greeted the crowd before leaving for the White House. Fr. Pilarz shook hands with the Pope and told him he too was a Jesuit and worked at Georgetown Prep. Pope Francis stopped, smiled, and told Fr. Pilarz, "Pray for me. Please pray for me. This work is not easy." Fr. Pilarz told his students that the Pope repeated his request a third time: "Please pray for me every day." He promised he would!
CMSM National Board member Fr. Tim Kesicki, SJ, was joined by several other Jesuits at the White House ceremony welcoming Pope Francis, including Fr. Thomas Reese, SJ, senior analyst for National Catholic Reporter, and Fr. Robert Niehoff, SJ, president of John Carroll University in Cleveland.
Jesuits Thomas Reese, and Tim Kesicki at White House
Fr. Tim Kesicki, SJ has also been the narrator of "The Jesuit Take, a Recap of the Pope's Visit with a Jesuit Point of View." Fr. Tim, current President of the Jesuit Conference of the United States, happily shares his reflections in the links below.
Day 1 -- Serve, Reflect and Dream: The Pope in Cuba and Flight to the US
Day 2 -- A Warm Call for Fortitude: The Pope at the White House, at St. Matthew's Cathedral with the US Bishops, and at the Canonization Mass for St. Junípero Serra celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
Day 3 -- In the Spirit of Great Americans: The Pope at the US Capitol addressing a Joint Session of Congress followed by a talk at St. Patrick's Church and a Catholic Charities Food Program for Washington's Homeless.
Day 4 -- Embrace the World: The Pope addressing the world at the United Nations and remembering those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 during his visit to Ground Zero and the September 11th National Museum and Memorial in New York City.
Day 5 -- Into His Marvelous Light: Mass at Madison Square Garden in New York and at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia followed by address to Hispanic Community from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address podium at Independence Hall.
Day 6 -- Love and Family: In Philadelphia for the World Day of Families Celebration and Mass, Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, and gathering of bishops and seminarians at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary; departure for Rome from Philadelphia Airport.
Day 1 -- Serve, Reflect and Dream: The Pope in Cuba and Flight to the US
Day 2 -- A Warm Call for Fortitude: The Pope at the White House, at St. Matthew's Cathedral with the US Bishops, and at the Canonization Mass for St. Junípero Serra celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
Day 3 -- In the Spirit of Great Americans: The Pope at the US Capitol addressing a Joint Session of Congress followed by a talk at St. Patrick's Church and a Catholic Charities Food Program for Washington's Homeless.
Day 4 -- Embrace the World: The Pope addressing the world at the United Nations and remembering those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 during his visit to Ground Zero and the September 11th National Museum and Memorial in New York City.
Day 5 -- Into His Marvelous Light: Mass at Madison Square Garden in New York and at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia followed by address to Hispanic Community from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address podium at Independence Hall.
Day 6 -- Love and Family: In Philadelphia for the World Day of Families Celebration and Mass, Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, and gathering of bishops and seminarians at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary; departure for Rome from Philadelphia Airport.
Retired Capuchin Father Bonaventure Stefun of the Province of St. Augustine is known for writing poems to commemorate special occasions. Check out his poetic reflections on Pope Francis' visit and its parallels with the Feast of St. Francis on this website.
"The witness that can really attract is that associated with attitudes which are uncommon: generosity, detachment, sacrifice, self-forgetfulness in order to care for others. This is the witness, the 'martyrdom' of [consecrated] life." --Pope Francis
