In March of 2023, the Minister General and his Definitory appointed Friar Joseph WOOD, a member of the Province of St. Bonaventure in the USA, to the office of Assistant General for the Conventual Franciscan Federation (CFF).

Friar Joseph completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida, USA. After a year of theological studies, he entered the formation program of the former Province of St. Anthony in the USA. He made his simple profession on August 15, 1983, and his solemn profession on August 2, 1987. He studied at the St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, New York, and completed a Master’s Degree in Theology at the Washington Theological Union. In his journey of discernment, Friar Joseph chose to remain a religious brother.
In 1990, Friar Joseph moved to the Sacred Convent of Assisi, where, until 1996, he worked as a guide, encouraging international vocations. He also assisted with the English edition of the Messenger of Saint Anthony magazine. In 1996, he was transferred to the General Curia in Rome where he worked as a translator. During this period, in collaboration with Friar Robert MELNICK, he published a book entitled, “The Conventual Franciscans,” which dealt with Conventual Franciscan history and culture from the Anglo-American perspective.
In 1998, he returned to the United States and in 1999, transferred to the Province of St. Bonaventure. He served as a Provincial Definitor of that Province for three terms and as the Provincial Vocation Promoter and the Provincial Secretary for two terms. In 2007, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, USA. At that time, he also served as the Guardian of the formation house (postulancy program) on Kenmore Avenue in Chicago and as part of the formation team.
In 2014, he was appointed the Delegate of the Provincial Delegation in Australia. In 2017, he was appointed the Novice Master of the CFF Federation Novitiate in Arroyo Grande, California, USA. Finally, in March of 2023, the Minister General and his Definitory appointed him to finish out the remainder of Friar Jude WINKLER’s term, who resigned for health reasons.

General Secretariat