An added joy of my life has been my activity as a translator, making theology originally in German and French available in English to others. I have had the joy and honor of knowing so many dedicated and outstanding men in the Order, not to mention the many fine lay men and women I have been blessed to have as students as well. I have always wanted nothing more than to teach my confreres, so anything beyond that goal has simply been a serendipitous blessing. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Cape Coast, Ghana, West Africa, and at the Washington Theological Union, Washington, D.C.
Anthony-on-Hudson, Rensselaer, New York, at St. I have taught at our Conventual Seminary of St. I have never doubted or regretted my ministry as a teacher, but have rejoiced in God’s gifts to me and in the Order’s generosity and confidence in me by fostering my academic talents and propensities. These two universities, my fellow students there, and the opportunity to meet Conventual friars and members of other religious communities on an international level were seminal experiences in my life.Įquipped with the appropriate degrees and formed by temperament to teach, research, and write, I have spent the last 53 years pursuing the passion of my life. The Order permitted me to study theology abroad in Innsbruck, Austria, and Strasbourg, France. The excellent education I received in the Order’s high school, junior college, and college imparted a life-long love of learning I have never regretted and has set me on my path to higher studies and a teaching career as a friar-priest. In this way, too, I got to know the other friars who also encouraged my fledgling vocation. Every week I would report to the rectory for a lesson. Denis Gallagher had encouraged my vocation by the novel tactic of teaching me Latin beginning in the seventh grade. As strange as it might seem nowadays, in the Church of my youth before Vatican II it was not so unusual. I entered the seminary in my sophomore year of high school at the ripe age of 15. Since we worshipped at Our Lady of Angels Church in Albany, New York, ably and lovingly staffed by the Conventual Franciscans, and since we four children attended the parochial school of the same parish selflessly staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse, I suppose my joining the Conventual Franciscans was somewhat providentially “predestined.” Be that as it may, I have never regretted this “destiny.” I cannot claim that I have always measured up to her advice, but I keep trying. Later in life, my mother, too, challenged me to be more well-rounded and less rigidly demanding of others.
My father was very formative of my faith life and accompanied me to Mass every Sunday. My middle name was given to me in honor of a Conventual Franciscan priest in the then Immaculate Conception Province who was a close friend of our family. Bonaventure ProvinceĦ107 N.My name is John Jude Burkhard, a 79-year old friar of Our Lady of Angels Province. If you would like additional information about Father Casimir or have knowledge that would assist his cause, please contact:Ĭonventual Franciscan Friars of St. You may also donate to support the seminarians and people in Honduras whom Friar Casimir gave his life. Please pray for Father Casimir Cypher’s canonization process. The Conventual Franciscan Friars invite you to support this cause and honor the memory of Fr. The Bishop of Olancho has begun the process for Father Casimir’s canonization to the sainthood. The faithful of Honduras were profoundly affected by Father Casimir’s life witness and his fidelity to the innocent. Friar Casimir’s remains now rest in the Church of Saint Jerome, Gualaco, Olancho, Honduras. He died in service to the poor and weak for the sake of Jesus Christ. On June 25, 1975, Father Casimir along with three others was martyred. While caring for the downtrodden he was arrested, detained, and brutally tortured by Honduran para-military forces. Bonaventure Province (USA) served the needs of the peasants and the needy on mission in Olancho, Honduras. With simplicity and joy, Father Casimir Cypher, a Conventual Franciscan Friar of St. Bishop of Olancho has Begun the Process for Father Casimir’s Canonization to the Sainthood
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