NEW YORK — At a festive celebration during Francis Week, Holy Name Province affiliated Archbishop Celestino Migliore to the Franciscan Order and awarded three Francis Medals here.
The Sept. 30 ceremony took place at the 800th anniversary convocation atSt. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street in New York City.
Anthony Carrozzo, OFM, emphasized in his reflection that the recipients exemplify Franciscan values. The former Provincial Minister, now a spiritual director at St. Francis of Assisi’s Center for Franciscan Spirituality and Spiritual Direction, described how God can be found in the places where the honorees work: at a women’s shelter, a newspaper office and a school.
Archbishop Migliore is permanent observer to the Holy See and Apostolic Nuncio to the United Nations, where he brings a voice of ethics, according to Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM. The archbishop, born in 1952 in Italy, was recognized for his longstanding efforts to promote justice and peace.
The recipients of the Francis Medal were:
• Sr. Nancy Chiarello, OSF, founder and director of the 32-year-old Dwelling Place of New York, a homeless shelter for women in the city. Her citation was read by Alan Thomas, OFM, a member of the Dwelling Place’s board of directors.
• Columnist Michael Daly of the New York Daily News, who wrote The Book of Mychal: The Surprising Life and Heroic Death of Father Mychal Judge, describing the friar who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
• The Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn on their 150th anniversary.
All were recognized for their concern for the human spirit. A summary of their accomplishments was read, that included:
• How Daly connects readers “and helps them realize that people are one,” said Dympna (Judge) Jessich, sister of Mychal.
• The Franciscan presence of Sr. Nancy as she helps women in need, said Alan.
• The teaching and mentoring of the young by the Franciscan Brothers, described by Kevin Tortorelli, OFM. He said: “No one represents the Franciscan charism the way the brothers do.”
Franciscan Charism
The 6:30 p.m. ceremony was opened with a greeting by pastor and guardian Jerome Massimino, OFM, who welcomed friars and friends of the honorees. Sr. Fran McManus, RSM, read her original poem, “Urban Canticle.”
Archbishop Migliore thanked the friars for accepting him into the Franciscan family.
“Because of the great respect I have for Franciscans’ service to the poor and for their spirituality, this is an honor,” he said. Stephen Mimnaugh, OFM, who was ordained by the archbishop earlier this year, read the citation, after which John O’Connor bestowed the Franciscan habit.
A private reception for honorees and guests, held in San Damiano Hall, adjacent to the church’s friary, followed the ceremony.
Commemorations of the feast of St. Francis at the church continued through the weekend with a blessing of animals, the Transitus of St. Francis, and the solemnity of St. Francis Mass, celebrated by the Provincial Minister.
— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communications for Holy Name Province.