Br. Bernard was featured in the May 2025 edition of the Messenger of Saint Anthony magazine! In the article “Vocations Promotions, Combining the Old and the New,” Br. Bernard talks about his work as Vocations Director for St. Bonaventure Province and shares how the office’s collection relics continues drawn people’s interest.
The Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV was a moving and intimate celebration at the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee, WI. Afterward, his longtime friend and fellow Augustinian, Bishop Dan Turley, OSA, shared heartfelt stories from their mission work in Peru and offering a beautiful glimpse into Pope Leo’s early years — full of deep compassion and enduring friendships.
For the first time in living memory, St. Mary’s Parish in Algoma, WI held a Eucharistic Procession for the Feast of Corpus Christi, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
Br. Augustine and Fr. Boniface are busy at work making habits for the incoming novices. Five new novices from around the country will be invested with the habit on July 12 at the Conventual Franciscan Novitiate in California!
Read the transcription of Br. Bernard Mary’s Ferverino on the ‘Canticle of Creatures’ by St. Francis of Assisi. This short speech was originally given at the Provincial Retreat in January during evening prayer.
Did you know that the Conventual Franciscan Friars have been the official, or ‘ordinary,’ confessors in St. Peter’s Basilica for over 250 years? For the month of June, Fr. Alejandro Lopez, OFM Conv., has been hearing confessions for the many pilgrims coming to the Vatican for the Jubilee Year.
Earlier this year, Br. David Wagner, OFM Conv. passed into eternal rest. His Franciscan Wake and Mass of Christian Burial were held in late March in the Marytown Chapel. Br. David served the Order faithfully for many years working as a teacher, administrator, formator, and manager of the giftshop at Marytown. May he rest in peace.
We were happy to welcome Friar Boniface Nzioki Muia to the USA from Kenya. He will be in residence at Marytown, the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, learning the art of habit making under the tutelage of the maestro himself, Br. Augustine. Please pray for our brother as he gets settled and begins his time in our Province.
This on-going series highlights special donors whose generosity has helped our ministries flourish. Mark and Jenny Hocking, longtime friends of our Franciscan family, have made an extraordinary impact through their recent gift. This year, Mark submitted paperwork to secure a matching gift from his employer—doubling the impact of their donation!
The world is abuzz with the recent election of Pope Leo XIV. Most are focused on the significance of the first Pope from the USA, but another somewhat overshadowed milestone is the fact that Pope Leo XIV is also the first pontiff to be elected from the Augustinian Order; so, what does this mean? A reflection by Br. Bernard Mary Fonkalsrud OFM Conv.
The Franciscan Friars Conventual of St. Bonaventure Province are committed to creating safe environments for children and vulnerable adults.
Every friar in active ministry must complete training in Virtus (the National Catholic Risk Retention Group) and any other safe environment compliances required by the dioceses in which they serve.
In addition, St. Bonaventure Province has its own Safe Environment Commission that oversees the implementation and monitoring of the Province’s Policies, Procedures, and Protocols for Ethical Ministry with Minors and Vulnerable Adults.
Any allegation regarding the Franciscan Friars Conventual of this Province receives an immediate response. This includes the Province’s full cooperation with local law enforcement authorities and Ordinaries who have ecclesial jurisdiction over these matters, as well as a duly diligent investigation by a qualified third party in order to substantiate credibility.
