Join us live or virtually on the Friday’s of Lent!

February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26
6:30pm in the Upper Church

Let the power of music help you release fears, worries, negative thoughts, and anything holding you back. Begin to cultivate peace, love, gratitude, and forgiveness in your life.

We welcome all who want to come and relax and meditate.

Join us for Lenten Vespers (evening prayer) each Monday of Lent as we take time to slow down and pray during this sacred season of hope and renewal.  Add some extra time to tend to spiritually prepare for the celebration of Easter.

Vespers, 5:45 PM in the upper church and on livestream.

Monday, February 22nd

Monday, March 1st 

Monday, March 8th 

Monday, March 15th 

Monday, March 22nd

Monday, March 29th

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The St. Benedict the Moor Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order is pleased to announce there will be a

Rite of Profession
during the 11 AM Mass
on Saturday March 13th.

Father Joseph Cavoto, OFM Spiritual Assistant to the Fraternity, will be the celebrant.

Alex Angeles, Mary Havey, and Cherylann Vescio, having completed three years of formation, will profess their permanent commitment to live the Gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. Following the Mass there will also be a Rite of Admission to the Fraternity for Joseph Lapponese, Paul Frediani, and Antonia Fusco, after which they will embark on their three-year journey towards profession.

This Mass may be attended in person in the church and it can also be seen live on our website at St. Francis Live or on our Facebook page.

The Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday during Lent following our 12 noon and 5 PM liturgies.

You can join this prayer in person in the church or on livestream at the end of the Mass.

This Lent, find hope and renewal with the Friars throughout the season by exploring the Lenten Sunday Gospels.  These scripture sharing groups will meet on zoom and groups begin February 23^rd

We are offering three options this Lent:

• • Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:00 PM – February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23
  • Wednesdays at 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24
  • Wednesdays at 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM – February 24 & March 3, 10, 17, 24

Please consider joining us.

To sign up fill out the form below.  Registration closes Sunday, February 21st.

Ash Wednesday will be a little different this year because of the pandemic but nonetheless we will begin the sacred season of Lent together.  There are a variety of ways for you to pray with us and receive your ashes:

Mass:

Masses will be at:

7:30 AM,
12:00 PM,
5:00 PM
(all Masses will be in person and on livestream)

Prayer Service:

Morning Prayer Service at 10:30am (in person and on livestream)

Zoom Prayer Services:

In addition to our services in church, we will offer Zoom prayer services at 1pm and 7pm for those who wish to have a virtual gathering for their imposition of ashes.

Sign-up is required see the sign up form at the bottom of this page.

Imposition of Ashes at church:

We will impose ashes at our Masses and prayer services and we will also impose ashes outdoors on both 31st and 32nd Streets.

Ashes will be imposed outside at:

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
5:30 PM -6:30 PM

Due to the pandemic, the Vatican has suggested that we use the European custom of sprinkling ashes on the top the heads of the faithful instead of signing foreheads. This method is safer as it does not require touching people’s faces.

Imposition of Ashes at home:

We recognize that many of our parishioners are not yet comfortable coming to church in person. Therefore we will be mailing ashes to our registered members for people to impose their own blessed ashes during while they attend a Mass or prayer service virtually. Small packets of ash will also available at the front desk, while supplies last.

The imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday is an ancient and sacred tradition that has deep significance for many Catholics.  While the Catholic community is very attached to making a pilgrimage to their church on Ash Wednesday to receive their ashes and begin Lent together, the imposition of Ashes is a blessing that can be done at home.  We hope that our efforts allow people at any comfort level to begin lent in a meaningful and reverential way, even in these continuing difficult times.

Fr. Tom blessed our ashes at Mass on Saturday, January 30th:

Confession:

8:00 to 9:00 AM
11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

The St. Francis of Assisi Adult Education center is hosting a Winter/Spring Semester in 2021.  The upcoming semester will be completely held on zoom.

Classes are posted online here:  www.stfrancisnyc.org/courses/

A Week of Prayer to Mary, Untier of Knots will be held from Monday to Friday, February 8-12, after the 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM Masses.

Here is the novena prayer for this week:

Introduction

The devotion to Mary, Untier of Knots was inspired by a painting created in 1700 for the Church of St. Peter am Perlach in Augsburg, Germany. In the image, Mary stands above a crescent moon, crushing a serpent under her foot. An angel passes a knotted white ribbon to Mary who unties knots in the ribbon. Another angel receives the smooth, unknotted portion.

Both the painting and the devotion to Mary, Untier of Knots, trace their roots to the second-century bishop, Saint Irenaeus of Lyons. Referring to Mary’s role as the Second Eve, Saint Irenaeus wrote that “the knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what Eve had bound fast through unbelief, thus did Mary set free through faith”  (Against Heresies).

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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us pray for those who are having difficulty with the knots of their lives.

For those having marriage troubles, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those beset by financial problems, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those struggling to find employment, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For thos

e suffering from illness, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those dealing with loneliness, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those burdened with fears and worries, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those fighting addictions or behavioral problems, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those suffering discord in their families, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those overwhelmed by anguish or despair, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those victimized by violence or neglect, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those targeted by racism or discrimination, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those struggling to let go of grudges, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those seeking to make peace, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

N

ow with confidence in God who hears us and helps us in all our struggles, we ask Mary to join our prayer:

Holy Mary, full of the presence of God,

during your life you accepted with great humility

the holy will of the Father

and the legacy of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evil never entangled you with its confusion.

As you did the young couple at the wedding feast of Cana,

you have interceded for all of our difficulties

With simplicity and patience,

you have given us an example of how to untangle

the knots in our complicated lives.

By being our mother forever,

you arrange and make clear the path that unites us to Our Lord.

Holy Mary, Mother of God and our mother,

untie the knots that upset our lives.

Receive us into your hands,

as well as those for whom we pray,

and deliver us from the chains and confusion that restrain us.

Blessed Virgin Mary, through your grace, your intercession

and by your example, deliver us from evil,

and untie the knots that keep us from being united to God

so that free of all confusion and error,

we may find Him in all things,

keep Him in our hearts,

and serve Him always in our brothers and sisters.

Amen.