100 Years of Mission

The main celebration for the friars of the Western America Province of Our Lady of the Angels took place yesterday (13th April).  It began with a liturgy of thanksgiving in the friary of San Lorenzo, during which the General Minister outlined the history and growth of the Capuchin presence in those parts, as well as throwing out the challenge to the present-day friars to continue the mission animated by the values of prayer, poverty and preaching.  Br. Terence Harrington, the Provincial Minister of Ireland responded with words of congratulations and good wishes on behalf of the Province of Saint Patrick and was presented with a specially written icon of Our Lady of the Angels.
After a festive meal, the friars went to the Old Mission at Santa Ynez to celebrate the Eucharist with a large congregation of local people.  The singing and the music were a joyful celebration of thanksgiving, with the participation of people from many different linguistic groups, including a prayer as Gaeilge. The mission continues, we were reminded in the homily, as does the promise of Christ's presence.