BOSTON — In an article describing the value of the San Damiano House of Prayer’s spiritual direction program, John Maganzini, OFM, of St. Anthony Shrine here was quoted in the Nov. 17 issue of the Lowell Sun (Mass.)
John is a presenter at the monthly program, run by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi of Penance and Charity. Several friars from the community at Arch Street in Boston are candidates for certification including Richard Flaherty, OFM, Barry Langley, OFM, and Daniel Murray, OFM.
The article about the program, which offers certification in spiritual direction in cooperation with Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisc., appeared Nov. 17.
“The reporter had just returned from Assisi, so she was enthusiastic about this Franciscan formation program,” said John. She interviewed several friars participating in the program, along with Sr. Linda Greenwood, OSF, who ministers once a week and is credited with envisioning the program.
Sr. Greenwood ministers one day a week in the Franciscan Center for Spiritual Direction at St. Anthony Shrine and is a member of the advisory board. She “dreamed” of beginning a formation program for candidates to become spiritual directors, John said. She began the program with a weekly class that met on Tuesday evenings.
To keep up with demand, Sr. Linda later began a Saturday program that meets once a month. This program is a joint effort with Cardinal Stritch University.
Barry said: “I’m finding the San Damiano Spiritual Direction Program to be very helpful in preparing for ministry as a spiritual director here at St. Anthony Shrine’s Center for Spiritual Direction. This program is good in that it brings together people from many different backgrounds and we have the opportunity to share the multiple ways God is mixing in our lives and bringing us to this ministry in the church. The setting, in the country in Lowell on the banks of the Merrimac River, makes it a peaceful getaway once a month for a day of reflection and learning.”