In a previous blog post, we shared the story of the first celebration of St. Anthony’s feast at St. Francis friary in Vancouver on June 13, 1928.
On the front page of the friary guest book, Archbishop Timothy Casey wrote Peace to this House and to all the Inhabitants thereof. Timothy, Archbishop of Vancouver. June 13, 1928.
And the following handwritten pages capture the hope and good wishes for the Franciscan presence in Vancouver:
Rev. Fr. Boniface Heidmeier. Superior of this Residence had this Guest Book opened on the 13th of June 1928 after the magnificent Pontifical High Mass in our chapel in honor of good Fr. Anthony, by the Most Rev. and Most beloved Archbishop Timothy Casey.
Fr. J. B. McDonald. May the Sons of St. Francis increase in number and in usefulness in the Vineyard of the Lord.
Rev. Griffith. Chancellor for the Archdiocese prays that the Flowers of St. Francis may perfume British Columbia with the good odour of Christ, that the great Saint Anthony will be the guide and patron of all our priests and that through his prayers and those of his brethren in religion we may come to understand in some degree the love of St. Francis for Christ.
Rev. C.J. McNeil. Pastor of St. Peter and Paul extends to the Monastery and Fathers his best wishes and earnestly prays that the gentle St. Francis may bring to this Archdiocese a sincere love of Christ and His Blessed Mother.
