Franciscan Brothers Visit Pope Francis!

 

Brother Damian (top row, left) with leaders from other religious congregations with Pope Francis.

Brother Damian, Assistant Superior General, is seated at a microphone with others at a dicastery meeting.

Brother Joshua greets Pope Francis by shaking his hand!

Brother Damian at the Vatican with the Executive Committee of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)

Brother Joshua and 80 students and chaperone Mr. Farrell with Pope Francis.

Brother Joshua and the Holy Father!

Two of our Franciscan Brothers recently had the opportunity of a lifetime to visit our Holy Father, Pope Francis: Brother Joshua DiMauro, OSF, and Brother Damian Novello, OSF! 

Brother Joshua DiMauro, OSF, accompanied by 80 students and chaperones from St. Anthony's High School on Long Island, spent their winter break from school on a religious pilgrimage to Northern Italy.  The highlight of the trip was the opportunity to sing for Pope Francis during his weekly audience when the Holy Father approached Brother and the students to personally greet them! He was, in turn, given the traditional St. Anthony's gift items of a SA embroidered shirt and jacket!

Brother Damian Novello, OSF, Assistant Superior General of the Franciscan Brothers, was recently in Rome with the Executive Committee of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) to meet with dicasteries of the Holy See.  During the meetings, the Executive Committee discussed the state of religious life in the United States, including the many blessings and challenges.  Some of the meetings that Brother Damian attended were joint meetings with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR).  Brother Damian also had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis during an audience!

Thank you, Brother Joshua and Brother Damian, for sharing our Charism of Making Christ Present with the people of Italy and with our Holy Father, Pope Francis!