EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Order’s 800th anniversary this year is highlighted by St. Anthony’s Guild in its Spring 2009 issue of The Anthonian.
The cover shows a fresco of Pope Innocent III orally approving the first Franciscan Rule in 1209 and blessing Francis and his followers, along with an excerpt from the Rule.
The magazine also includes an article by Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, titled, “Franciscans Celebrate Eight Centuries of a Gospel Way of Life,” describing the beginning of the Order and the founding and mission of Holy Name Province. “One thing is clear,” Dominic says. “Our Franciscan life according to the pattern of the Gospel is not an abstract theory or amorphous spiritual ideal. It requires us, as Francis did, to discern the concrete ways in which the needs of our world and its people are calling us to empty ourselves in imitation of the poor and humble Christ. This is the only way that we, like Francis, can rebuild the Church of God in our day.”
This issue of the 82-year-old magazine was mailed in March to Guild members and Province ministries.
Other topics featured in the issue include:
• “Franciscan bishop from Holy Name Province serves in Brazil”
• “Holy Thursday: The Mass of the Lord’s Supper,” a reflection by Russell Becker, OFM
• “Let’s see if we can make a difference,” a prayer for ecology
• “Life Shift?” about the Province’s vocation advertising
• “My Franciscan Journey,” by Daniel Sulmasy, OFM
An Easter mailing by the Guild also mentioned the Order’s milestone. It said: “Thanks to your generosity, which funds our future friars’ education, we have been able to ordain new priests and brothers year after year. In this way, you are helping to renew the Franciscan tradition, which for 800 years has stood firm on the side of Christ in the poor and suffering.”
Leadership of St. Anthony’s Guild has been assumed by Joseph Hertel, OFM, after the death of John Piccione, OFM, in February. Joseph was the Guild’s director from 1999 to 2005.