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Our Friars

Friar Stories: Journeys to Franciscan Life

Fr. Alvin Faddish, OFM

I was raised in a strong Catholic atmosphere, where the Sisters and families were very encouraging of vocations to the religious life and priesthood. Our family had become friendly with the Slovak Franciscans from Pittsburgh, and so I was introduced to the Franciscans early in life.

Eventually, my older brother entered the Franciscans, and the Franciscan spirit continued to seep into my life. I began my own journey as a friar in 1956. During these formative years, I learned more about St. Francis and his way of life. I began to see the deeper meaning behind some of the nice stories I had heard and read in my earlier years.

After ordination to the priesthood in 1963, I was surprised when our superiors told me that I was going right down to Brazil, even though it had been a boyhood dream of mine to be a missionary there.

During the years I spent in Brazil, I began to understand and appreciate more the Franciscan life and message. The friars were so close to the people, sharing their lives, sorrows and joys. The people’s appreciation, love and support encouraged me in my own vocation.

I returned to the States in 1976 and began another stage of my journey. This stage centered around parish life that once again involved me in the important moments of people’s lives. What a wonderful joy and privilege this has been! Parish ministry has provided an opportunity to bring my Franciscan spirit into the lives of so many. And it has spurred me on to continually reflect upon that spirit and its meaning.

What a great joy it has been to share that spirit with our families as they celebrate the important moments of life: birth, baptism, birthdays, First Communions, Confirmations, graduations, marriages. And how humbling it has been to stand by my people in their mornents of sorrow, sickness and death, knowing that in my helplessness I could only offer them my love and comfort.

The next stage in my journey began when our Province started its process of “Refounding through Ministry” six years ago. I became involved with this program from the very beginning and have not regretted one moment of it. In all of my years as a friar, principal of schools and pastor, I have tried to collaborate with my co-workers. But Refounding gave me a further impetus to extend this collaboration and call forth the gifts of our dedicated laity. And it has been a riotous and rollicking journey, believe me! We have been to the top of the mountain, and we have tumbled down that same mountain, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

Why not? Refounding has helped me deepen my own understanding and living of the Franciscan life. I have been forced to examine that life in the light and wisdom of my lay brothers and sisters. I have received great support and undertaken engaging challenges. In visiting the various Refounding Core Teams, I have been led to a great gratitude for the devotion, loyalty and talents of so many brothers and sisters working side by side with our friars.

Troubles, problems, disagreements, misunderstandings — yes, there have been plenty of these. But all of them have been and will be overcome by the goodwill and mutual trust of all involved.

Living and ministering as a Franciscan has meant a gradual growth and deeper understanding of Francis and Franciscanism, as I struggled through all of the stages of my life: youth, young friar, missionary, parish priest, Refounding partner. The reflection and struggles of these stages have brought me to the formulation of my own Franciscan plan of living, based on what I call the “5Cs”: Crib (Incarnation of Christ), Communion (Eucharist), Cross (Passion of Christ), Contemplation and Compassion. Hopefully, my contemplation of these basic elements will lead me to a greater compassion and collaboration with all I work and live with.

Through living with my brother friars and experiencing the love, support and sharing of my lay brothers and sisters, I have arrived at this point in my life, such as it is. All of these experiences have been challenging, fulfilling, and, I hope, growth producing. For that I am grateful as I look forward to the next stage of my journey, whatever that may be.

—This essay was written in 1996 when Fr. Al was pastor of St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson, N.J. It also appeared in the June 1996 issue of The Anthonian magazine.