Melanie Bninski, OFS & John Clem OFS
On Sunday, July 20th, Melanie Bninski and John Clem made their permanent profession to the Secular Franciscan Order. This was the first professions of our new fraternity and we wanted to make it a meaningful and inspiring service during Mass. Fr. Gregory Kandt, the pastor of Church of the Incarnation, was the celebrant who was excited to assist in blessing his first profession to the Secular Franciscan order himself. It was a wonderful and joyful service and the fraternity was blessed to have visiting brothers and sisters from Warrenton and Baltimore attending. There was a festive reception afterward with good food and gifts for our new members.
Profession led by Fr. Gregory Kandt & Minister Carl Stacy, OFS
During the service we had the Franciscan Litany of Saints. John and Melanie selected their 14 favorite saints as our sister Sheila Herlihy and Deacon Chris Morash sang the litany.
Litany of Franciscan Saints for OFS Profession:
(chosen by Melanie and John)
St. Francis of Assisi (Founder of Franciscan Orders)
St. Clare (Founder of Poor Clares)
St. Margaret of Cortona (Patron of our Secular Franciscan Region)
St. Geronimo (Feast Day July 20th)
St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Patroness of the Third Order)
St. Padre Pio (patron saint of the Stigmata Region)
St. Vincent de Paul (patron of charities and Diocese of Richmond)
St. John XXIII (acheived sainthood during our formation)
St. Bonaventure (Doctor of the Church and great writer & leader)
St. John Bosco (patron of students and laborers)
St. Terese of Lisieux (Doctor of the Church, lives “The Little Way”)
St. Frances de Sales (Doctor of the Church and patron of teachers and writers)
Angela Merici (patron saint against illness and for the disabled)
St. Anthony of Padua (Doctor of the Church & patron of lost articles and for travelers)
Secular Franciscan Brothers and Sisters attending: L to R: Becca Gallant, Fred Duca, Doris Rowzie, Al Gigel, Elizabeth Eilers, John Clem, Bud Rowzie, Melanie Bninski, Jesse Pellow, Sheila Herlihy, and Carl Stacy
