Regional Roundup – 5 of the 30 Regional Fraternities

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2025  Issue #117)

In this issue, the final five of the 30 regions highlighted.

Lady Region Poverty

Lady Poverty is another region that covers parts of multiple states: the western half of Pennsylvania, an eastern sliver of Ohio, part of northern Maryland, and parts of West Virginia. It has 18 established fraternities.

When the region was established, the name was decided with a vote by the fraternity ministers. The suggested names were first narrowed down to five, and then to two. The fraternities bonded to the TORs proposed “Instruments of Peace” while those bonded to the Capuchin friars proposed “Lady Poverty,” which got the most votes.

Like Franciscans of the Prairie Region, Lady Poverty Region has chosen Blessed Contardo Ferrini as their patron not only because he was a Secular Franciscan, but also because his feast day is October 20, and the date of the region’s establishment is October 20, 1994.

Long before the establishment of the region, the first fraternity was established by recently immigrated Capuchin friars on May 17, 1874. Anticipating their expulsion from Germany, provincial leaders of the Capuchin Franciscans in Bavaria sought refuge and help from Abbott Boniface Wimmer, OSB, founder of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the country’s first Benedictine Abbey. Abbott Wimmer helped to entrust St. Augustine Church in Pittsburgh to the pastoral care of three missionary Capuchins who could serve the growing German population of the city. The fraternity was named St. Augustine fraternity at St. Augustine Parish. The first profession was made by 24-year-old Anna Devlin on May 16, 1875. The fraternity just celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2024 and boasts over 8,000 professed members since its establishment. St. Augustine fraternity is the largest fraternity in the region.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Region

St. Maximilian Kolbe Region is in the northern part of Ohio, mostly in and around Cleveland, and includes 13 fraternities.

This is one region that is blessed to have many Franciscans from all three orders. Within the region there are two Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration convents, and Franciscan friaries for both Conventual and Capuchin friars. There are also OFM and TOR friars residing and working in the region.

Blessed Solanus Casey Region

This is a region that covers parts of multiple states: New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. It has 30 fraternities and two emerging communities.

Bl. Solanus Casey was a Capuchin friar originally assigned to Our Lady of the Angels Parish in East Harlem, in New York City. His next assignment was to Sacred Heart Parish in Yonkers, NY. Although Solanus was ordained, he functioned as a “simplex priest” and was not allowed to hear confessions or preach. Many miracles occurred as a result of his prayers, and people lined up for blocks to see him and ask for his prayers. Solanus Casey was chosen as the name of the region because he lived, worked and prayed in New York, and he is a model of humility and constant prayer. After he was beatified, the region’s name was changed to Blessed Solanus Casey.

For several years, the region has held Zoom sessions that are either discussions on a topic or conversations about a book. Not only is it great ongoing formation with many members participating, but it has also created a sense of closeness and communication for all in the region.

Franciscans of the Prairie Region

 The central diagonal swath of Illinois is where you’ll find the Franciscans of the Prairie Region, covering a lot of rural communities. With only five fraternities and one cell, they fall within four different dioceses with members residing within six different dioceses.

The region’s name was chosen for the geographic location within the Prairie State. Their mission statement refers to the prairie fires from past history, encouraging members to spread the good news like the spread of those prairie fires. Blessed Contardo Ferrini, a member of the Third Order, is the region’s patron saint.

Several of the fraternities within Franciscans of the Prairie Region were established prior to 1865! Although the region’s numbers are getting smaller and the fraternities are far apart, the members are developing closer relationships.

Our Lady of Indiana Region

Not surprisingly, the Our Lady of Indiana Region covers the northern two-thirds of Indiana, with one fraternity just across the border in Ohio. It includes 14 fraternities and one emerging community.

When it was time to choose the region’s name, there was a meeting of the local ministers who submitted suggestions. Our Lady of Indiana was the winner of the vote. Fr. Benet Fonck, OFM, who wrote formation materials for the OFS, was present at the meeting.

Our Lady of Indiana Region hosts a Unity Day on the second Saturday of August each year with all 14 fraternities represented. In 2025, approximately 100 brothers and sisters came together for prayer, Mass, inspiration, and fellowship.