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Brother Donnie shares this thoughts on the inspiration we can take from the saints, the Franciscan habit, and what it means to be a Conventual Franciscan. Watch the videos here!

As we joyfully commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures, the beloved prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, the Mission Advancement team is proud to launch the Canticle of Creatures Society—a new monthly giving society that invites you to walk more closely with us in faith, service, and fraternity.

Single, Catholic men 18-40 are invited to experience how we Conventual friars live out our 800-year tradition. Join us September 26-28 (Friday night through Sunday afternoon). Register today!

This past Spring, the entire roof of St. Patrick’s Church, our apostolate in Minonk, Illinois, was replaced. This moved the restoration project into its final stage which has been several years in the making. Check out photos of the on-going renovations of the ceiling!

Check out the latest issue of The Seraph, the newsletter of Saint Bonaventure Province.

In this issue, you’ll meet our student friars — five novices were invested with the Franciscan habit and nine postulants began their formation journey! Also, enjoy photos from Corpus Christi processions around the province and read updates from our Apostolates (ministries) across the Midwest.

Fr. Thomas Fetz reflections on his visit to Vietnam to study the language. One thing that he has found consistently during his trips to other countries is that there is so much more to learn than the language. Here are some things he learned on his journey…

Since the Basilica began a monthly Spanish Mass for our school families, attendance has grown to over 100 people! The committee who makes this Mass possible gathered for a celebration in the Parish Center.

The restructuring of the Diocese of Peoria has sparked innovative thinking. St. John the Baptist Church in Lostant, IL has now become an Oratory, a place set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass. The building is open daily for individual and small group prayer with a lounge, conference room, and spaces for private prayer.

St. Anselm Parish in Dearborn Heights, MI is the newest of the parishes the friars have taken on within the Province. The parishioners are happy to have a Franciscan pastor and like seeing how the friars work together as a community to help each other within our family of parishes. This summer there have been several baptisms, one wedding (the first since COVID), and the first Eucharistic procession!

On July 15, the Feast of our Province’s Patron, St. Bonaventure, friars gathered to witness the Simple Profession of our brother, Friar James Carlo Muzzey. Friar James (taking the Religious Name ‘Carlo,’ after soon-to-be-saint Carlo Acutis) was blessed to have loved ones present. Afterwards, the Marytown community provided a delicious spread for dinner and dessert. A great time was enjoyed by all.