“We want to celebrate St Francis and the great Franciscan movement, but we also want to educate about Francis and the movement. Most importantly, we want to help form our students, faculty, and staff in the Franciscan way.”
The Month’s initiatives
Franciscan Month 2024 began with a Peace Run on Sep 30th. College students from all over the world, each representing their country and saying the word “peace” in their native language, lit and passed a torch around the block. The choice of ‘peace’ as this year’s theme is intentional.
“Given the conditions of the world, it makes sense,” notes Brother Greg.
He goes on to describe other events in Brooklyn Heights: a feast day Mass, a rosary procession and, very notably, a “cellphone freedom hour” to encourage students to detach from what he calls a “disordered love” relationship with their devices.
Board games were set up, while the chapel and interfaith prayer space were open to anyone seeking “Franciscan solitude.” Some students opted for quiet reflection, while others chose to take a walk with someone and rekindle relationships. Another major event was a march in the Columbus Day Parade in Manhattan, where students carried a banner spreading awareness about Franciscan Month.
Enthusiastic feedback
Feedback from students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive. “One of our students who participated in the rosary procession shared that he hadn’t prayed in four months,” Brother Greg recalls. Ironically, the student had a tutoring session scheduled that overlapped with the event. “He cancelled the tutoring, came, and played an active role in the procession.” This is a perfect example of how Franciscan Month events help ease the anxieties and pressures of college life, offering students a space to connect spiritually, regardless of their faith backgrounds.
It really has yielded precious fruits, he says, noting that students, regardless of their religious affiliation, have deepened “their relationship with God. And that’s probably the greatest achievement you can have.”
“Students, regardless of their religious affiliation, have deepened “their relationship with God. And that’s probably the greatest achievement you can have.”
The power of relationships
The Franciscan way is rooted in relationships—relationships with God, with others, with oneself, and with creation. “That’s what it’s all about,” affirms Brother Greg, pointing out that “St Francis called everyone and everything his brother or sister—Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Sister Water, Brother Fire.”
“St Francis called everyone and everything his brother or sister – Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Sister Water, Brother Fire.”
Going national and global
In addition to his roles as a professor and Director, Brother Greg also hosts a radio show called Thank God for Monday, where he invites guests to share insights on maximizing professional satisfaction and contribution. “For the past five years, we’ve themed some of our shows around different months—Pride Month in June, Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March.
About two years ago, the idea came to me: what about a Franciscan Month?” This was the genesis of the initiative. In addition to events, a blog called All Good Things was created to share daily reflections throughout October. In 2024, collaborations were established with three dioceses in the New York City area and three in New Jersey.
Looking ahead, Brother Greg hopes to expand. “In 2025, we aim to go national, and in 2026, for the 800th anniversary of St Francis going to Paradise, we hope to take it global.”
Francis’ peace prayer
Brother Greg’s deep connection to St Francis stems from childhood. A statue of the saint, part of a birdbath, adorned the garden of his family’s home in Clifton, New Jersey. “Growing up, I always thought Francis was just the saint of the birds,” Brother Greg admits. He initially worked in the pharmaceutical industry, attending church regularly but without fully understanding the Franciscan story.
“I thought Francis was just there to protect gardens.” It wasn’t until he became a Franciscan Brother that he grasped the saint’s profound conversion and mission, epitomized by the peace prayer attributed to him: “words of hope, faith, giving, sharing, loving, and forgiving.”
Transform the world, in need of repair
Franciscan Month aims to reach people who may not know the saint’s full story.
“He is really for everyone, not just Catholics. Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, even people with no religious belief at all—Francis is indeed for everyone.” Brother Greg believes that if more people embrace the Franciscan way of life, the world would be a much better place.
He reflects on the call St Francis received in 1206 before the San Damiano crucifix: “Francis rebuild my Church, which you see is in need of repair.” Today, in 2024, Brother Greg feels that same crucifix is challenging everyone, especially the younger generation, to, “Transform the world, which you see is in need of repair.”
“He is really for everyone, not just Catholics. Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, even people with no religious belief at all—Francis is indeed for everyone.” – Vatican News
