NEWS

Earlier this month, Fr. James F. Puglisi, SA, was in Assisi to take part in the ecumenical gathering titled "The Feast of the Mystery of the Creation in Christ: An Ecumenical Dream for the Third Millennium."

As members of the Society of the Atonement, whose mission is one of healing, reconciliation, and unity, we welcome Pope Leo XIV with open hearts and renewed dedication to our calling.

We are delighted to announce, in collaboration with the Ecclesiological Investigations International Research Network, the selection of our 2025 Graymoor Scholars.

Honoring the strong women who brought us into being on Mother's Day continues throughout the month, paying homage to not only our earthly maternal figures, but to our Heavenly Mother.

During Holy Week, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, including Fr. Dan Callahan, SA, Fr. Jan Janoszka, SA, Br. Yasser Zamora, and three postulants, embarked on a mission to the Silva region of Peru. Often referred to as "the jungle," the Silva is a lush and rugged landscape known for its coffee and potato cultivation.

When Br. Charles Okorie, NSA, was attending high school in Nigeria, he purchased a book about the saints. The stories of these holy men and women inspired him, especially the biography of St. Francis of Assisi. Br. Charles felt God calling him to follow in Francis’ footsteps.

On the summit of the Mount of Atonement, on the grounds of Graymoor, stands a 16-foot-high wood cross. Fashioned from a cedar tree that once stood in the vicinity, the cross looks out upon beautiful forests. People from all over the world ascend the Holy Mountain to stand by the cross and reflect on God’s glory present in nature and His Son’s sacrifice.

Every day here at Graymoor, we receive prayer requests from people asking the Friars to remember them and their intentions in our prayers. Often, people share that they are struggling to pray, feeling disconnected or unsure of how to communicate with God. So, let’s talk about prayer. For many of us, prayer can be a difficult practice. What does it really mean to “pray”?

When Jorge Mario Bergoglio stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and introduced himself to the world as Pope Francis, my heart was filled with joy. As a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement, I knew at that moment that the Holy Spirit had breathed something special into the life of the Catholic Church.