The Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa, in Great Britain and Ireland, is within the Conventual Franciscan Federation and the Province of Our Lady of the Angels.
On July 5, 2025, Friar John Paul Banks was ordained to the priesthood at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Mossley Hill, Liverpool, England. Archbishop John Sherrington was the ordaining prelate.
As a Franciscan Conventual, you are called to model your life on St. Francis who was humble and poor, who loved creation and all God’s creatures calling them ‘brother’ and ‘sister’, who loved so deeply that he carried the stigmata in his body. As Pope Francis wrote ‘He was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his openheartedness. He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.’ (LS 10). Like Francis see that the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.
(Read more about the ordination in the article by Friar Gerard Mary Toman.)
Friar Patrick Allen professed his temporary vows on July 9, at St. Francis of Assisi Novitiate in Arroyo Grande, CA. Friar Max Martin, custos for the Custody, traveled to California to accept Friar Patrick’s vows. Vicar Custos Friar Colin Edwards was also present.
