The Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana celebrated two Masses to commemorate Friar Vincenzo MARCOLI.
On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the Custos, Friar Vitus MENSAH, presided over morning Mass to thank God for the life and service of Friar Vincenzo. The Mass was celebrated at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Accra, Ghana. On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, another Mass was celebrated at 7:15 p.m. at the Christ the King Church in Takoradi, Ghana. Friar Joseph BLAY presided. In his homily, he remembered Friar Vincenzo as a mentor, motivator, and aesthetic friar. An old parishioner, Mrs. Theresa AYEPA also recalled the faith and leadership training that Friar Vincenzo conducted at Christ the King church. Both Masses were well attended by friars, including Friar Pius ASARE, the Pastor of the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Accra; and Friar Eugene ANTWI BOASIAKO, the Pastor of Christ the King Church. Among those attending the Mass in Takoradi was Father Sikayena, a diocesan priest who thirty-five years ago was an aspirant to the Franciscan life at the same time as Friar Joseph BLAY.
The history of Franciscan life in Ghana would be incomplete without the service of Friar Vincenzo MARCOLI. He was among the third group of friars from Italy who arrived in Ghana in 1983. Friar Vincenzo was the second Pastor at Christ the King Church in Takoradi. When the time came to unite the two Conventual Franciscan Delegations of the then Province of St. Anthony in the USA, and the Province of St. Anthony in Padua, Friar Vincenzo became the head of the Coordinating Committee. On September 17, 1994, Friar Vincenzo became the first Custos of Ghana. In 2001, he completed his second term in office. He then took a sabbatical year and finally left Ghana in 2004. Friar Vincenzo lived at the St. Francis of Assisi Friary in Takoradi, the St. Anthony Friary in Sunyani and the St. Bonaventure Friar in Accra. Friar Vincenzo left an indelible mark, as a friar, a pastor, and an administrator, wherever he lived in Ghana. Ghana will forever remember Friar Vincenzo MARCOLI.
Friar Joseph BLAY
