The Franciscan Friars, who operate the St. Francis Retreat Centre, welcomed a permanent addition to their brethren last Friday, where Brother Joseph Francis Glaab took his solemn vows to live in the gospel of poverty, chastity and obedience at a ceremony held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
“It’s a permanent commitment between myself and the Franciscans that I will remain with them and live the Franciscan way,” explained Glaab, whose primary residence will be at the Edmonton Friary but will include spending some time at the Cochrane retreat.
Living the Franciscan way translates to an absence of personal wealth, including possessions. While friars sleep in their own rooms, they share meals, amenities and possessions in a no frills lifestyle committed to community and religious servitude.
Father Pierre Ducharme is the director of formation for Glaab, “journeying with him along the way”. Ducharme made his own solemn vows in Cochrane in 2010.
“The whole Franciscan order is very grateful for Father Joe and his commitment. He has exceptional talents and abilities with his experiences in the ministry and leadership…he is nothing short of a blessing to us.”
Much like Glaab, Ducharme was also drawn to the Order and the idea of living in community, of sharing his life with a brethren, with a commitment to God and through serving the community.
A movement born out of the Catholic Church, the brethren are committed to the teachings and spiritual disciplines of founder St. Francis of Assisi, whose devotion to serve God through the solemn vows was enacted through a daily life of servitude to the community through a variety of capacities including teaching scripture and working with the poor.
A chaplain to nine schools in the Sherwood Park area, much of Glaab’s time is spent assisting teachers and working with children through religious teachings, curriculum and assisting with celebrations such as communions.
Born and raised in the Catholic faith, Glaab hails from Guelph, Ont. and spent some 19 years with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince George. He has spent the last six years with The Franciscans.
The Order of the Friars Minor (more commonly referred to as The Franciscans) was founded some 800 years ago in Assisi, Italy and quickly spreading worldwide. Moving west from Quebec in 1908, there are around 45 friars in Western Canada, of more than 16,000 in the world in 103 countries.
The Franciscans have working friars in Lumsden, Sask., Cochrane and Edmonton in Alta., and Vancouver and Victoria in B.C.
Learn more at franciscanfriars.ca.
