Albany Friar's Vocation to Franciscan Life Still Strong After 50 Years

Friar Stephen Merrigan is wearing a blue shirt

Not long ago, Friar Stephen Merrigan, OFM Conv. celebrated half a century of professed Conventual Franciscan life. America has changed a lot since 1960, but Friar Stephen’s vocation to the friars has remained strong.

Friar Stephen’s current ministry is Senior Care. He fulfills this ministry from the Provincial House of Immaculate Conception Province in Rensselaer, New York. A friendly, caring man, Friar Stephen treats everyone as brother and sister in the fashion of St. Francis of Assisi. He is also very diligent in making sure that older friars who need any kind of support are always well taken care of. The Conventual Franciscans form after all a family; and like good family members they always take care of anyone in need.

The celebration that commemorated Friar Stephen’s 50 years of professed life took place upstairs at Nicole’s Restaurant in Albany. About twenty or so friars gathered for the event. A number of them – including Friar Justin Biase (Minister Provincial of Immaculate Conception Province) – spoke in tribute to Friar Stephen’s faith and many years of service.

(Source of all related images on webpage and homepae: Conventual Franciscan Friars' Immaculate Conception Province Provincialgram and centerchurches.org.)