Franciscans Celebrate on the Jersey Shore

St. Peter's Church in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

On the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, St. Peter’s Parish in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey celebrated Professions to the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO). St. Peter’s is already run by Conventual Franciscan friars with Friar Curt Kreml serving the parish as pastor. One can however also be called by God to live as a Franciscan without being a religious.

A community scene at St. Peter's

Beth Delucia, Frank Loria and Vivian Plante – all members of the SFO’s St. Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity – professed that Sunday. Their professions took place during Mass in front of parishioners. Professing to be a Franciscan in the SFO requires that one live life the Franciscan way, in the Roman Catholic Church and as a member of the wider Franciscan family. One must also spend a period of time in formation before making a profession to the SFO.

(Sources of all related images on webpage and homepage: Conventual Franciscans and St. Peter's Parish.)