Franciscans

In the spotlight: Pope meets clown-therapists, Laetare Medal winner, cyclone strikes Malawi

Franciscan Sister Frances Kempenich, 97, died July 22 at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls. Receiving of the body of Sister Frances will be Thursday, July 28, at 9 a.m. followed by visitation until the time of her funeral at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Convent.

As his Muslim neighbors and fellow Jericho residents make their way home for the iftar, which breaks the daily fast throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Franciscan Father Mario Hadchiti hands out small bags of dates and water to passersby in front of the Franciscan Good Shepherd Church.

Franciscans from five convents in northeastern Brazil produced a video with one message: “Fique em Casa” (Stay Home).

Some Christians who with the daily reality of living as a religious minority in a place of conflict — often tied to religion — do not consider living in the land where the faith originated as a blessing but more of a “misfortune,” said Franciscan Father Francesco Patton during a Nov. 7 event in Washington.

Pope Francis asked to give the Franciscans the “privilege” of allowing religious brothers to be elected to leadership positions, including those with authority over ordained priests by the ministers general of four men’s branches of the Franciscan family — the Friars Minor, Capuchins, Conventual Franciscans and the Third Order Regulars.