The Franciscans of the Immaculate, inspired by the example of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, are seeking to conquer the world for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus through the maternal mediation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The primary role of the contemplative branch is to sustain the Church, and more specifically the missions of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, by their hidden life of prayer and penance. Each Friary of the contemplative friars is called a Ritiro Mariano, which in Italian has the sense of a “Marian Hermitage” where the contemplatives retreat and pray. Recently the contemplative friars have undertaken the sacred and prayerful work of restoring altars. Your donations will aid the contemplative friars and their restoration work for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.  – http://www.novenamasses.org/

Fi News #127 – Maria Coates ( 01min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Congratulations to the thirteen MIM-ADWM members that took the Marian Vow and the two members who made the first level consecration in the MIM. One member, Maria Coates  made the Marian Vow on December 27th, The other twelve on January 7th .

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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A Day With Mary at Oxford Oratory

We did our first ever live broadcast of a Day With Mary. We are still trying to find a good system that does not have ads since some of these are inappropriate. These broadcasts will be done on some Saturdays between 10am – 1530pm GMT or 5am to 12:30pm EST. They have these events every Saturday but they will be live broadcasted only as Internet connections from the locations permit. We will keep you posted.

Ave Maria!

Fi News #123 – View From Car Park ( 17min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

In this video, part II of “Friars Are Stoked in England”, Friar Solanus gives an over view and simple tour of St. Joseph’s Church, the parish that the friars help out with in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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Fi News #124 – The community at Mt St Francis with Fr. Gabriele ( 02min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

On December 15th, Feast of Our Lady Queen of the Seraphic Order, six young men were clothed (or “invested”) in the habit of St. Francis at our friary in New York. The rough, cruciform tunic is an outward expression of the form of life they desire to follow: that of Jesus Christ, poor, humble and crucified. The color grey (unbeknownst to many) is the original color worn by the sons of St. Francis. The blue tint of the fabric expresses their desire to live as the possession and property of Our Lady, battling for the salvation of souls beneath her Blue Mantle.
The investiture in the “habit of probation” marks one of the first steps in their vocational journey. God willing, this journey will take them to novitiate, then to their first profession of vows, and finally to perpetual profession.
Please remember these young men in your prayers, that Our Lord and Lady may bring to completion the good work begun in their souls.

Ave Maria!

Fr. Gabriele’s homily from the Mass immediately preceding this video is available here.

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Ave Maria!

Well, since we are celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception today, I thought it would be a good time to give a long overdue mention of our John Duns Scotus DVD called “Blessed Duns Scotus, Defender of the Immaculate Conception” which is now available with English subtitles exclusively through Ignatius Press.

Blessed Duns Scotus Defender of the Immaculate Conception
	Availability: - In Stock Length: 85 minutes Edition: DVD Code: BDS-M Retail Price: $19.95 Web Sale Price: $17.95

The inspiring true story of the holy Franciscan priest and theologian who won a famous debate against the Dominicans in the 13th century in which he defended Our Lady’s great privilege of her Immaculate Conception, laying the groundwork for the Church to later define that as a dogma of the Catholic faith. Filmed in beautiful ancient monastery locations in Europe, Scotus is revealed as a humble and courageous apostle of the Faith against the oppressive anti-Catholic government in power. His public defense of the papacy as the head of the Church eventually got him thrown out of the country.

An important film for Americans since the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of the USA, this acclaimed feature film stars Italian actor Adriano Braidotti in an award-winning performance as Blessed John Duns Scotus, who was Beatified by John Paul II. The movie won major awards for Best Movie and Best Actor at the 2011 International Catholic Film Festival.

This DVD contains the following language options: Italian with English and Spanish subtitles

This is a Region 1 DVD (playable ONLY in Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, United States and U.S. territories).

Sample images from the film:

via Blessed Duns Scotus – : Ignatius.

( left to right )     Fr Gabriel, Fr Agnellus, Fra Solanus and Fra Raphael

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A family’s home on a canal, notice the yellow satellite dish, In case of bad TV reception, just move your house a few more feet. (more…)

Fi News #122 – Fra. Solanus in Front of Friary ( 08min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Fra. Solanus (from Dublin) gives a sketch here of where and what the friars in Stoke are up-to.

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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Fi News #121 – Just outside police station ( 03min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

The Feast of Our Lady of Good Voyage is celebrated on the third Sunday of September each year at Our Lady’s Chapel. On the vigil of the Feast there is a solemn, candle light procession of the statue at night.

Ave Maria!

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Born: c. 1400 San Nicolás del Puerto, Seville, Andalusia, Kingdom of Castile

Died: November 12, 1463 Alcalá de Henares, Kingdom of Castile

Canonized: 1588 by Pope Sixtus V

Attributes: Cross, Lily

Patronage: Franciscan brothers

St. Didacus is known for his great humility, even now he is forgotten by most Franciscan Orders.  On the occasion of profession of vows, Franciscans will sing the Litany of the Saints, but I can’t remember once St. Didacus being on that list, even though he’s the patron of Franciscan brothers. They’ll have St. Joe of nothing to do with Franciscans, but they won’t have St. Didacus. (more…)

Fi News #119 – Dressed as Saints ( 12min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Every year here at the Franciscan Friary in Griswold, CT. the friars and friends try to provide the youth with an entertaining Catholic Hallows Evening. This evening always begins with Holy Mass.

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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The evening begins Holy Mass.

Our annual celebration of the feast of “All Saints” went well. We hope to have a video up soon. I was very impressed by the car parking organizer. It looked like dealership with all the white 15 passenger vans lined up, backed in, facing out.

Ave Maria!

With the help of Dr. Hartnett we produced a DVD and CD of the rosary in Latin. You will find just the bare-bones of the rosary here, we leave it up to you to choose the mysteries. This is what you will find. (more…)

A view from rim of bluffs above the shrine and friary in La Crosse, WI.

The messy Mississippi. (more…)