Merry Christmas!

God came to love us by becoming one of us in the person of Jesus. Love was the reason for the Incarnation. May we, like St. Francis, stand in awe filled with emotion as we celebrate the love and abundant hope that the Incarnation brings!

“It happened, three years prior to his death, that he (Francis) decided to celebrate at the town of Greccio the memory of the birth of the Child Jesus with the greatest solemnity, in order to arouse devotion. So that this would not be considered a type of novelty, he petitioned for and obtained permission from the Supreme Pontiff.

He had a manger prepared, hay carried in and an ox and an ass led to the spot. The brethren are summoned, the people arrive, the forest amplifies with their cries, and that venerable night is rendered brilliant and solemn by a multitude of bright lights and by resonant and harmonious hymns of praise. The man of God stands before the manger, filled with piety, bathed in tears, and overcome with joy.” (St. Bonaventure, Life of St. Francis) 

The Franciscan Brothers are keeping you in our prayers!

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1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24

Reflection:  Each week during Advent, we have watched our world slowly being brightened with the lighting of each candle.  Today, on this last Sunday of Advent, we finally light the last candle on our wreath that we have patiently been waiting to light.  As we look at these four candles, brightly lit, we are invited to reflect on how this light takes away some of the darkness of our world as we welcome the bright Light of the World next week on Christmas.

It is too easy to give up hope when others around us try to extinguish our light.  The prophet Isaiah, in our first reading today, asks the question: “Is it enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God?” Ahaz, at that time, had given up hope and felt that God had given up on him as well.  You can almost hear the frustration in Isaiah’s voice as he asks the question.  He reminds Ahaz that God has not given up on him and there is hope, and that hope will come in the sign from God: “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”  

In today’s Gospel, we hear the story of how Jesus’ birth came about.  When Joseph found out that Mary was with child, he decided to divorce her quietly to protect her from shame.  Can you imagine the weariness that Joseph must have felt at that moment, enough so that he was willing to give up the hope of his life with Mary? When the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, imagine hearing the message being delivered with the same tone as Isaiah to Ahaz – don’t be afraid, God is right here in this, Mary will bear a son, you will name him Jesus, and this will fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”  Again, we hear a message of hope.

As we look at the hope that the Incarnation brings, perhaps we are being called to look at our own lives and situations.  Have we, like Ahaz, given up hope? Or, like Joseph, does fear of an unknown future tempt us to give up hope and separate ourselves from a situation by bringing it to completion? That is too easy to do. When we give up hope, we begin to weary not only others but God.  Let us look to the future, brightly lit by the gift of the Incarnation, and remember that God is with us and if we truly believe, then we can do the hard work that needs to be done and no longer give up.  We know that God, through the Incarnation, has not given up on us.  Let us look at the brightness of the four candles on the Advent wreath, remember that God is with us, and let us stop wearying each other and God by embracing a future filled with abundant hope!

Prayer: Most High Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart with your radiant light.  Give me true faith that I may not need to see in order to believe, certain hope in the promise of a future, and perfect charity to embrace all in your love.  Give me sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out your holy and true command to believe in a future filled with abundant hope. 

Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

Second Reading: James 5:7-10

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

Reflection:  Rejoice! Christmas is almost here! Today is Gaudete Sunday and we light the rose or pink candle in our advent wreath.  We do this to remind us that we are halfway through the Season of Advent, Christmas is near, and we rejoice in the joy that the Incarnation brings.  This is indeed a reason to rejoice! 

It may seem as though we do not have many reasons to rejoice when we look at the news.  We hear about spikes in illness with the “tripledemic,” we hear about an increase in killings and other acts of violence, we hear about discord among our civil and religious leaders, and we see the value, dignity, and worth taken away from many of our sisters and brothers just because they are different or because they make other feel uncomfortable because of who they are or what they represent.  When we put it this way, it's hard to rejoice today!  But, we hear a message of hope in our scriptures. 

Be strong, fear not.  Be patient.  Do not complain about one another that you may not be judged. These instructions from two of our readings today address the areas that seem to try to take away our reason to rejoice.  We are often led to believe that we are living in a hopeless situation and we should be afraid of what is going to become of our society and Church, not only from the political arena, but also in our very own churches.  Instead of a message of despair, we should be sharing the message that Jesus tells us to share:

"Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.

Wow! There should be much rejoicing about this message of hope! This is the hope that the Incarnation brings.  All that we see and hear is a result of the act of love of God becoming one of us in the person of Jesus through the Incarnation so we could see what love looks like as it walks across the room, what love feels like as it embraces us, what perfect love is in human form in the person of Jesus.  If we share this message with others, not so much in words, but in our actions, what a different world we would experience.  The Incarnation reminds us that God is with us. Rejoice in the joy and hope of this gift.  How am I a messenger of this joy and hope in the world?

Prayer:  God of joy and hope, during this time of Advent, teach us how to live in your patient love.  Give us the strength and courage to be a light of your love, your peace, and your hope as we await your coming among us through the Incarnation. 

Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Avent

1st Reading: Isaiah 11:1010

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

Reflection:  In the Gospel today, we hear about John the Baptist appearing and preaching in the desert, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said, a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”  What am I being called to do to prepare the way of the Lord?

Perhaps we can look at what it means to repent by looking at our Franciscan Charism of living the penitential life – that is turning towards God and away from anything that separates us from God and others, including sometimes ourselves.  In our Franciscan Tradition, this is conversion of heart that allows us to change the way we see everything and everyone around us.  Conversion of heart helps us to see others as our sisters and brothers by removing barriers that prevent us from entering into relationship and having true dialogue, allowing peace . 

On this Second Sunday of Advent,  we are being invited to be prepare the way of the Lord by welcoming others as Christ welcomes us. The readings for today give us a powerful message in a time when our world seems so divided.  We are reminded that there must be a spirit of wisdom and understanding in order for there to be true peace, regardless of differences in the world.  This peace is what allows us to be able “to think in harmony with one another” and “with one voice” glorify God. 

Let us prepare the way of the Lord by being open to a conversion of heart, a change of heart, in order to see God in the other to create an environment where everyone is welcomed and embraced.  How can we better welcome the other and, in doing so, welcome the peace that Christ brings? We are being invited to be messengers crying out to others like John the Baptist, “prepare the way of the Lord” by creating an environment where everyone is welcomed and embraced. 

Prayer:  God of love and peace, give us wisdom and understanding to bring about peace and unity in our world.  Help us to model the peace that the Incarnation brings so that we may reach out with understanding and welcome to everyone in the world, especially those who are excluded, devalued, and forgotten.

1st Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 122:1-2, 3-5, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44

Reflection: The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the new liturgical year in the Church.  With the start of any new year, we look at what awaits us with excitement and hope. In the second reading today, St. Paul tells us “you know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.” As we enter into this season of waiting with abundant hope and expectation, let us make sure we are awake and alert.

“Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” In Isaiah’s vision in the first reading today, all nations shall stream to God’s house where they will learn God’s ways of peace and justice.  Learning God’s ways require that we awake from our sleep and stay awake without being distracted by things that do not allow us to walk in the light of the Lord.  During this time of waiting in joy and in hope, let us be reminded to stay awake so that we can recognize the ways that God comes to us and instructs us in ways of peace and justice in the people and events of our daily lives to help prepare us for God’s coming in Jesus Christ.  

As God announces peace through the Incarnation, let us remember our call as Franciscans: “As they announce peace with their lips, let them be careful to have it even more within their own hearts.  No one should be roused to wrath or insult on their account, rather all should be moved to peace, goodwill and mercy because of their gentleness” (TOR Rule 9).  What are the things that distract us from God’s ways of peace and justice? Do we have the peace in our hearts that allows us to move those we encounter towards peace? Are we awake and alert to welcome a future filled with abundant hope? 

Prayer: God of Peace and Justice, during this time of Advent, teach us how to live in your love and show us how to walk in your ways.  Give us the strength and courage to be a light for others of your love, your peace, and your justice as we wait with abundant hope for your coming among us through the Incarnation.

Brother Gabriel O’Brien, O.S.F., Superior General, Brother Damian Novello, O.S.F, Assistant Superior General, and Brother Joseph Bach, O.S.F., Vocation Director, joined the Brothers, students, faculty, and staff at our St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens and St. Anthony’s High School in S. Huntington, Long Island, for the Feast of St. Francis.  Traditionally, the Superior General and the Assistant General alternate years at the two schools.  Br. Gabriel celebrated this year with Br. Joseph at St. Francis Prep while Br. Damian celebrated with St. Anthony’s.  We were particularly please to welcome Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of the Diocse of Brooklyn-Queens, as our celebrant at St. Francis Prep!

St. Francis College, originally opened as St. Francis Academy in 1859 shortly after the arrival of two Franciscan Brothers from Ireland in 1858 to minister to the immigrant population of Brooklyn.  This move is the second major move for the College.  The first move was in 1963 when the College was officially moved to 180 Remsen St. in Brooklyn Heights, after more than 100 years at the original Baltic St. location.   Now, 59 years after that move, St. Francis College now finds its home in downtown Brooklyn at 179 Livingston St.  St. Francis College continues to live the Franciscan Charism of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn - Making Christ Present by rebuilding His Church, by sowing seeds of Christian consciousness and brotherhood, and living together in peace! 

Our Brother Greg Cellini, O.S.F., recently published a book, Transform Yourself - Transform the World: A Franciscan View of Career. This book – the first on the subject matter – will enlighten and, more importantly, inspire you to view your career in a Franciscan way. It will provide a heart-centered approach to seeing and sharing your Good. As you read this book, you will have the chance to define and embrace a wider view of your contribution, and move beyond personal success to actions that transform you and transform the world.  Congratulations, Brother Greg! To purchase your copy of this book, please visit www.taupublishing.com.

The Brothers gathered for Pre-Chapter sessions on August 15 and 20 to plan for our General Chapter in May, 2023.  The Brothers spent the morning reflecting on and discussing the Rule of the Third Order Regular, our Constitutions, and our Year for Franciscan Vocations for a Future Filled with Abundant Hope.  During the afternoon, our Brothers reflected on our life as Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn , past, present, and future in preparation for our General Chapter 2023.  A General Chapter is the highest authority in a religious congregation or order and it is a time of intense prayer and dialogue to discern the will of God for our Congregation.  

On August 14th, the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn, NY, celebrated its 200th anniversary.  The Superior General of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, Brother Gabriel O’Brien, OSF, represented the Brothers at the celebration.  He is shown below with Bishop Robert Brennan, the Bishop of Brooklyn. Cardinal Dolan was the main celebrant for the mass with Bishop Brennan and Bishop Barres (Rockville-Centre) as concelebrants.  While history took center stage on this day, Cardinal Dolan said the purpose of the Mass wasn’t just to look back at the past.  “Whenever you’re celebrating the anniversary of a church, you’re talking about the past, and that’s important. But you’re also talking about the present and the future,” he told The Tablet.  “We have to make sure we have that hope and confidence in the promise of Jesus Christ that the first people did here 200 years ago.”   As the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn celebrate our 165th anniversary, the same message holds true for us and so we look to the future with abundant hope and confidence in the promise of Jesus Christ!

Each year, the Franciscan Brothers gather with our friends and secular Franciscans to celebrate the Franciscan Feast of the Portiuncula.  This year we honored three individuals for their selfless, Franciscan giving:  Brother Ferdinand Vogrin, OSF, Mr. Richard Pelosi, and Mrs. Joan Geiger, SFO.  

Please join us as we celebrate the vocation of the Religious Brother on National Religious Brothers' Day!

The Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn wish you a Happy and Blessed Easter!

The Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, represented by Superior General Brother Gabriel O'Brien and Principal of St. Anthony's High School Brother David Migliorino, recently welcomed Bishop Domenico Sorrentino, Bishop of the Diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, who presented the Brothers with a relic of recently beatified Blessed Carlo Acutis.  Blessed Carlo Acutis, Pray for Us!

Blessed Carlo Acutis' Story

Born in London and raised in Milan, Carlo’s wealthy parents were not particularly religious. Upon receiving his first communion at age seven, Carlo became a frequent communicant, making a point of praying before the tabernacle before or after every Mass. In addition to Francis of Assisi, Carlo took several of the younger saints as his models, including Bernadette Soubirous, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, and Dominic Savio.

At school Carlo tried to comfort friends whose parents were undergoing divorce, as well as stepping in to defend disabled students from bullies. After school hours he volunteered his time with the city's homeless and destitute. Considered a computer geek by some, Carlo spent four years creating a website dedicated to cataloguing every reported Eucharistic miracle around the world. He also enjoyed films, comics, soccer, and playing popular video games.

Diagnosed with leukemia, Carlo offered his sufferings to God for the intentions of the sitting pope—Benedict XVI—and the entire Church. His longtime desire to visit as many sites of Eucharistic miracles as possible was cut short by his illness. Carlo died in 2006 and was beatified in 2020. As he had wished, Carlo was buried in Assisi at St. Mary Major’s “Chapel of the Stripping”, where Francis had returned his clothes to his father and began a more radical following of the Gospel.

Among the thousands present for Carlo’s beatification at Assisi’s Basilica of St. Francis were many of his childhood friends. Presiding at the beatification service, Cardinal Agostino Vallini praised Carlo as an example of how young people can use technology to spread the Gospel “to reach as many people as possible and help them know the beauty of friendship with the Lord.” His liturgical feast is celebrated on October 12.

Carlo Acutis did not strive to become famous but rather to cooperate as generously as possible with God’s grace. That journey brought him many experiences, but they were all united by a burning desire to serve God and others as generously as possible.

Brother Anthony Savasta, O.S.F.

Brother Anthony Savasta, a Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn for 70 years, entered Eternal life on March 8, 2022.  Brother Anthony, son of Gaetano and Marie Savasta, attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn and entered St. Anthony Juniorate in Smithtown, NY.  Upon entering the Franciscan Brothers in 1952, he received the Franciscan habit and was given the name Brother Frederick. He professed his first vows in 1954 followed by Perpetual profession in 1957. 

Brother Anthony served as the community tailor, making the religious habit for the brothers, and taught religious education for many years. In 1966 he attended St. Francis College completing a Theology Certificate and enrolled in a special training program to work with the handicapped, sponsored by Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Brother Anthony was a Case-aid worker to Senior citizens and handicapped at the Jubilee Center in the Pierrepoint Senior Housing in Brooklyn Heights. Brother Anthony was honored for his dedication and service to the handicapped by Catholic Charities in 1985.  In his retirement at Our Lady of Angels friary, he continued to be an example of Franciscan simplicity and holiness.  In 2015, as his health failed, Brother Anthony moved to Our Lady of Consolation Nursing Rehabilitative Care Center in West Islip, NY.  Brother Anthony would say, “There is no greater life that God could have chosen for me than to be a Franciscan Brother.”

In addition to his Franciscan Brothers, Brother Anthony is survived by his niece Maryann Monaco, his nephew Bryan Di Palmo, and their children.

Reflection for First Sunday of Lent – March 6, 2022

Brother James McVeigh, O.S.F.

October 10, 1946 – February 19, 2021

You may view the video recording of Brother James' Funeral here.

Brother James McVeigh, O.S.F., a Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn for 55 years, died on Friday evening, February 19, 2021, at the age of 74.  A life-long educator, Brother James, when asked to reflect on his life as a Franciscan Brother, summed it up so well: “of the many titles I’ve had, the title I cherish the most is “Brother.”  Brother James did have many titles during his 55 years as a Brother: Principal, Assistant Principal, Superintendent of Schools, Vocation Director, Vicar for Religious, Teacher, and Chairperson. Brother James resided at the Friary at St. Anthony’s High School.  

Brother James had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed sharing a good laugh and was always seen smiling in the hallways of our schools in his ministry of Franciscan presence.  Brother James worked tirelessly to promote Franciscan Values and Vocations in everything he did.

Brother James always said, “keep smiling and continue to do wonderful things!”  This is the memory he leaves to the many people whose lives he touched.

Brother James, formerly known as Brother Martin de Porres was born in Brooklyn on October 10, 1946.  After attending Immaculate Heart of Mary School and the Brothers’ Juniorate in Smithtown, L.I. He entered St. Francis Novitiate in Brookville and received the habit on August 2, 1964.

He received a Sociology degree from St. Francis College and began his teaching career at St. Mary Star of the Sea School in Brooklyn. Brother James began his graduate studies at American University and St. Mary’s University in 1969, earning a Master of Arts degree in Religious Education. Brother also taught at Bishop Ford H.S. and St. Anthony’s H.S. then in Smithtown where he became Director of Religious Activities and then Chairperson of the Religion Department. He reactivated the Tau Fraternity (Third Order of St. Francis).

In 1979, he became Christian Service Coordinator at St. Francis Prep in Fresh Meadows, followed by ten years as principal of Our Lady of Hope School in Middle Village. Brother was then appointed as Regional School Supervisor for Queens North comprising of 45 schools in Northern Queens. He was then named Assistant Principal, Dean of Faculty and Director of Studies at St. Anthony’s H.S. in South Huntington and began the catechetics program and Kolbe Society.

In 1995, Brother James became Assistant Superintendent for Essex County in the Archdiocese of Newark. During this time, he also served as Director of Temporary Professed. The Franciscan Brothers then appointed Brother James as Vocation Director for the community for seven years. When the term was finished, he was asked to help out in Secaucus, NJ for a school that had lost their principal. Brother James then returned to St. Francis Prep to assist in the Admissions Office and designed a program for the Franciscan Mission Coordinator, and moderator of the Franciscan Youth Movement which he has continued doing to the present.

In addition, in 2007, Brother James was appointed Co-Vicar for Religious in the Diocese of Rockville Centre while continuing his ministry with the Franciscan Mission at St. Francis Prep. In 2008, Bishop Murphy appointed Brother as Director of New Evangelization and a member of his Cabinet. He served on the Executive Board of the National Religious Vocation Conference for five years while Vocation Director and Co-Chair of Region 2. He was on the Executive Board of the Continental Congress for North America on Vocations called by Pope John Paul and held in Montreal. He then served two terms as Vice President of the National Conference of Vicars for Religious. Brother’s final ministry was as Franciscan Mission Coordinator for both St. Francis Prep and St. Anthony’s.

Brother James’ first love is anything Franciscan followed by a love of Catholic education with a special dedication to Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministry. In his various ministries, he enjoys mentoring youth and educators and working with Religious in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Brother James died peacefully in Hospice on February 19, 2021.  Brother is survived by his sister, Linda, his brother Wayne and sister in law, Sue, and his nieces and nephews: Gregory (Rebecca) Latham, Dawn (Robert) Copeland, and Derek Latham. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on February 23 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Melville.  Internment followed in the Brothers’ plot at Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury.