The Portiuncula

Newsletter of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of Our Lady of the Angels

Vol.XXII, No.1

I have only experienced the feeling once before � and that was when I entered the Portiuncula in Assisi (the small chapel in honor of Our Lady of Angels which became the cradle of the Franciscan Order). But here we were on this 21st of July, 1999 (the feast of our Capuchin brother St. Lawrence of Brindisi) not in Assisi but in Tres Ojitos, Chihuahua, Mexico. We were gathered in this small beautiful stone chapel to receive our four new Mexican brothers as novices: Br. Sergio David Perez, Br. Valent�n Manriquez Ramirez, Br. Pedro Pablo Ramirez Pulido and Br. Angel David De La Rosa Monje.
Here in this small chapel were the families of our new brothers, our Capuchin friars, our Capuchin Sisters from the nearby monasteries of Madera and Chihuahua, our Secular Franciscan brothers and sisters, local clergy and religious, and local parishioners and benefactors who had come to celebrate with us. It was a very moving experience. As our Capuchin Sisters led us in song many were in tears as we felt that wonderful presence of God in this "Portiuncula".
Br. Ron Talbott, our Provincial, received our novices and welcomed them with the words: "Brothers, you are beginning a difficult yet wonderful journey. You will struggle and sometimes you will fall. But all you have to do is pick yourself up and know that we your brothers struggle along with you to live the Gospel." And to the families of our new brothers he told them that they were not losing sons. They were gaining a whole new family. "You are now part of the Capuchin family. We wish to share your joys and your sorrows".

Brothers Ron Talbot and William Trauba with Novices

Later on the Bishop of the Diocese (Cuauhtémoc- Madera), Bishop Juan Guillermo López Soto, presided at our Eucharist which was concelebrated by the friars and many of the local clergy and blessed our new novitiate under the title of San Fidel de Sigmaringa (St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, our capuchin brother who is the Patron Saint of the Propagation of the Faith). Giving a wonderful homily on the value and importance of religious life within the Church and within his Diocese.
The local parishioners then served a wonderful meal to all our guests --some who had come all the way from Yécora, Sonora (a seven hour drive) to celebrate with us. It was indeed a time of grace and blessing!
Our four new brothers beamed with joy the whole day and went out of their way in being hospitable to all our guests as true followers of Francis.
As we left that blessed place to return home to California Br. Matt Elshoff, our fourth definitor, commented on how this experience had renewed him in his Capuchin commitment. Indeed it had renewed all of us! Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
Brother Miguel Ortíz

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