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The San Damiano Fraternity in New Jersey!
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November 1, 2020In the rural country of Sussex County in New Jersey, the town of Newton is home to the San Damiano Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans. This fraternity began in 1983 when the Capuchins had their high school seminary in Lafayette. While the friars left the area many years ago, the fraternity continued to move forward with 26 active members. This past year Fr. Martin Schratz, Capuchin pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Hackensack, was invited to be their Spiritual Assistant.
The fraternity members are spread over a few counties and two dioceses in Western NJ. They gather monthly for a fraternity Mass and meeting. The candidates meet on a regular basis as well, even during this pandemic.
The fraternity is hosted at the Salesians Sisters, Sacred Heart Center, in Newton. Because of the diversity of distance among the members, each has their own personal ministry, however, they support a local food pantry and help in the Newton community when possible. During the monthly gatherings they are invited to share experiences from the past month. Each of the meetings consists of some business and then a topic for discussion and some socializing.
On October 31st, 2020 of the members gathered for their yearly retreat. This year it was led by Fr. John Aurilia, Capuchin pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in the Bronx. The topic was St. Pio and the Secular Franciscans.
