On December 20-22, 2017, the Seraphicum’s first clerical students met together in Rome, some fifty years after their priestly ordination. In 1964, on the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, these students, along with 120 other friars, moved from the International College on Via San Teodoro 42, to the new headquarters of the Theological Faculty of San Bonaventura, on Via del Serafico 1.
Those celebrating their jubilee included the Most Reverend Friar Berardo OSHIKAWA, Bishop of Naha-Okinawa, Japan; and Friars Gianfranco GRIECO, Giuliano ABRAM, Wayne HELLMANN and Valerio DOMINICI. On December 21, 1967, these friars were ordained at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, in Rome’s EUR district, by His Eminence Paolo Cardinal MARELLA, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and the last Protector of the Seraphic Order.
The following year, more were ordained, including Friar Massimiliano Valentin REDONDO from Spain; Friars Salvatore RUZZA, Pietro GUERRIERI, Mario MINNICUCCI, Mario ALESSANDRINI, and Massimiliano BACCILE from Italy; and Friar Klaus RENGGLI from Switzerland. There was also an American, Friar Dennis JANICHI, but he was called unexpectedly to Heaven. In all, there were thirteen ministers for Christ who gave, and continue to give, their lives for the Church and the Seraphic Order.
On the morning of December 21, the friars concelebrated Mass with Pope Francis at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. They also met with their confreres at the Apostolic Penitentiary. In the late afternoon, the friars returned to the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for a second concelebration.
The next day, they concelebrated Mass with the Minister General, Friar Marco TASCA, in the chapel of the General Curia of the Twelve Holy Apostles. Afterwards, there was an agape meal with the religious of the community.
These friars celebrating their fiftieth anniversary of priestly and Franciscan life received special thanks from the Minister General, on behalf of the entire Order, for the fidelity they showed during their long journey and the work they have done in the vineyard of the Lord: sowing peace and goodness in the name of our Seraphic Father St. Francis.
Friar Gianfranco GRIECO
