On February 21, 2019, a Requiem Mass was celebrated for Friar Donald KOS to commemorate the anniversary of his death (February 4, 2018). The Mass took place at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome.

The Requiem Mass was to be presided over by His Eminence, Mauro Cardinal PIACENZA, Major Penitentiary. However the cardinal was unable to attend due to health reasons. Instead, the Mass was celebrated by our confrere, the Most Reverend Gianfranco GIROTTI, OFM Conv., Titular Bishop of Meta.
The Minister General, Friar Marco TASCA, and the members of the General Definitory, concelebrated. In Friar Marco’s opening remarks, he welcomed those present and recalled some of Friar Donald’s essential characteristics, his ministry and his service to the universal Church and the Order. He thanked the Lord for the great gift of Friar Donald, who enriched everyone with his faithful witness to the Franciscan vocation.
There were many friars present from the community of the Twelve Holy Apostles and the other General Houses in Rome. Priests from the Apostolic Penitentiary also attended along with various friends and the Sisters who once knew Friar Donald and appreciated his human, spiritual and theological gifts.
Cardinal PIACENZA sent his homily, which was read by Friar Robert LEŻOHUPSKI, OFM Conv. The first part of the homily highlighted the experience of the Apostle Peter and his relationship with Jesus, with a special invitation to us to “be very submissive to God and to be careful not to add human things to His inspirations”. The second part recalled the “generous and qualified” service that Friar Donald gave to the Apostolic Penitentiary. It mentioned that Friar Donald’s witness was always characterized by the awareness of living in “the presence of God”, in which different experiences and dimensions took on “a paschal coloring”.
After the Mass, all those present were invited to the Sala dell’Immacolata reception hall for a fraternal agape meal.

Friar Francesco CELESTINO,
Guardian of the Friary of the Twelve Holy Apostles
Photo: Friar Julian EVA, OFM Conv.