BlackFriars Volume II, Issue III | Page 4

FROM THE PROVINCIAL :

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
By Father Kenneth Letoile, O.P.

Earlier in the summer, I had the privilege
of spending some days at our novitiate
located at Saint Gertrude’s parish in
Cincinnati, Ohio. During that time, I met
our fifteen new novices who received
the Dominican habit on August 8th. I
also presided and preached at the first
profession of our nine “senior novices”
on August 15th. During these days, I
prayerfully expressed my gratitude to God
for these talented, zealous, and generous
young men. They have responded to
God’s call to be Dominican Friars in the
Province of Saint Joseph.
Classes have begun for our 72 student
brothers and novices. They will be visibly
in attendance at the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception on Wednesday,
September 23rd, when Pope Francis

© Paul Harring/Catholic News Service

Father Kenneth Letoile, O.P., talking with two novices,
Brother Ezra Fegley and Brother Philip Nolan.

canonizes Junipero Serra. If you have funded
your children’s college education, you’re
well aware of the costs of education for our
72 “sons.” Thank you so much for continuing
the legacy of Saint Dominic so that we can
“commit ourselves to the proclamation of
the word of God, preaching everywhere the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”*
*Words of Pope Honorius III to Saint Dominic

“If you have funded your children’s college education

you’re well aware of the costs of education for our 72 ‘sons’.”

The new class of novices with the prior provincial, Father Kenneth Letoille, O.P.

JOSEPH DAY: A VOCATION STORY
THAT YOU MAKE POSSIBLE
By Linda Borg

The Providence College student who shared
a moment with Pope Francis that went viral
is now entering the priesthood. Joseph Day
(Class of 2015) said his calling has been years
in the making. It was ignited during his junior
year in Rome, when he attended a papal
audience at Saint Peter’s Square. As Pope
Francis slowed to visit with the wheelchairbound, Day offered a white skullcap to the
pontiff and yelled, “Papa, Papa!”

It was at the Washington retreat that
Day “saw everything I loved about the
Dominicans.” They are dedicated scholars,
they share a rich sense of fraternity, and
they do not believe that a rigorous intellect
is at odds with a deep faith.

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Pope Francis took the cap, called a zucchetto,
from Day, brushing his hand with his own.
“It's very exciting, especially when you
Smiling, the
pope read the note pasted inside
get someone of Joe’s caliber,” said Father
http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150514/NEWS/150519507
the cap, which said, "Providence College
Justin Brophy, O.P., associate chaplain at
loves Papa Francesco." The pope placed the
Providence College. “He's a very personable
human being. He cares about people. He’s
cap on his head before saying a brief prayer
extraordinarily intelligent. This is great for the
and then handing it back to Day.
college and great for him.”
“I spent the rest of the audience in a dazed
Linda Borg, “Call to Priesthood ‘A Constant Tugging,’
state of j