The Church of St. Francis of Assisi will observe a holiday schedule on:
Monday, October 9, 2023
Mass – 12:00 PM only
There will be no confessions.
The church offices will be closed for the day, including the St. Francis Adult Education Center.
Dear Friends of St. Francis of Assisi Church –
I’m the Minister of St. Benedict the Moor Fraternity, one of over 600 fraternities in the Secular Franciscan Order in the U.S., with many more worldwide. My Fraternity was founded here, at our Church, in 1965, and has been blessed by the many volunteer opportunities our community offers. Never heard of the Secular Franciscan Order? Not a problem! Here’s a capsule history. In the early 13th century, St. Francis of Assisi established three orders. The first was the Order of Friars Minor and the second was the Order of St. Clare. St. Francis also saw the need to establish a third order, the Secular Franciscan Order, for people who wished to live Franciscan lives in the secular realm.
My fraternity has thirty professed members, women and men who observe the Gospel by following the example of Saints Francis, Clare, and Benedict himself. The formation process leading to Profession takes three years and is divided into three phases: orientation, inquiry, and candidacy. In our Church, members of St. Benedict the Moor Fraternity volunteer are ministers of hospitality, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, and other volunteers. Some of the most important contributions of Secular Franciscans, however, are perhaps the most discrete – they preach not with words, but by example, in their workplaces, with their families, and among friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.
St. Benedict the Moor’s parents were taken as slaves from Africa to Sicily, where they became devout Catholics. Benedict was born in 1526 and became a Franciscan at age twenty-one. His spiritual erudition far outweighed his lack of a formal education, and Benedict became Master of Novices and then Guardian of his Friary in Palermo. He died in 1589, having spent his entire life in Sicily. His life of servant leadership is an inspiration for us all. I hope by now you have seen the new statue of St. Benedict the Moor, which was donated by my Fraternity. Carved from lindenwood and finished with oil paints by artists in northern Italy, the statue was dedicated at Sunday Mass on January 15th, 2023, on the eve of Martin Luther King Day.
One of our Church’s most beloved artworks is the Great Mosaic, which includes five Secular Franciscans: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Louis of France, St. Frances of Rome, Christopher Columbus, and Dante Alighieri, poet laureate of the Franciscan Order. Interesting company! Can you find them?
Paul Francis Beelitz, Minister, St. Benedict the Moor Fraternity (SFO)
Volunteer Lector, Eucharistic Minister,
and Livestream Studio Operator
[email protected]
As we celebrate St. Francis on October 4th, the church will be decorated with magnificent flowers. All of his teaching, preaching, healing and seeking what was lost gave glory to God. He used his gifts well. Let us fill the church with the beauty of God’s creation in honor of a saint who loved nature so much.
You are invited to donate flowers in memory of a loved one or for a special intention.
As we celebrate St. Francis on October 4th, the church will be decorated with magnificent flowers. All of his teaching, preaching, healing and seeking what was lost gave glory to God. He used his gifts well. Let us fill the church with the beauty of God’s creation in honor of a saint who loved nature so much.
You are invited to donate flowers in memory of a loved one or for a special intention.
The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is screening “The Letter” a film about Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si.
Together we care for our common home. Together we care for each other. Together we care for the world we share. Together we care for our future. Together we care for our planet.
Join us for this unforgettable documentary about how spiritual values call us to take action on the planetary crisis.
The film viewing is free and open to the public and will take place:
Monday, October 2, 2023
6:30 PM
San Damiano Hall
The movie will be followed up by a 6-week discussion series on the Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si starting Thursday, October 12th, for those interested. There will be more information about the discussion group at the film and online in the weeks to come.
Official Trailer for “The Letter”
Do you love your pet?
Well, God does too!
St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and it’s part of our Franciscan tradition to bless our furry friends on or near Francis’ feast day.
So bring your cat or dog, fish or frog, or any friend you have to get blessed.
Saturday, September 30th at 2:00 PM
Please gather with your pet near the entrance of the church on W. 31st Street. We will process in together for the blessing.
Candle of Thanksgiving for your pet for the Feast of St. Francis.
The candle will be lit by the Statue of St Francis for the weekend of the Blessing of the Animals on September 30th
One submission per pet name.
You are invited to FrancisFest 2023 an Octoberfest celebration hosted by CONVERGE @St.Francis – a new ministry supporting life, faith and community at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.
Join us in the San Damiano Hall for Beers and Brats and Pretzels and good times with parishioners and friends of St. Francis of Assisi.
Sunday, October 1
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Tickets: $25.00 until September 24th.
$30 after September 24th and at the door
See photos from FrancisFest2022 here: FrancisFest was a fun success! – Saint Francis of Assisi (stfrancisnyc.org)
Increase the fun of the day, and take home a souvenir. FrancisFest custom glass beer mugs will be on sale that day for $20.00 each but you can pre-order yours and save $5.00 on the cost of the event.
This smiling saint will cheer your heart and remind us of the great joy that is ours because of the Gospel.
Supplies are limited and when they are gone, they are gone.
