Lietuviai pasauliečiai pranciškonai JAV ir Kanadoje 1940–1990 m. Katalikybės ir lietuviškų tradicijų puoselėtojai emigracijoje
LITHUANIAN SECULAR FRANCISCANS IN USA AND CANADA (1940–1990) CHERISHERS OF FAITH AND LITHUANIAN TRADITIONS IN EMIGRATIONS

Summary/Abstract: St. Casimir province of Lithuanian Secular Franciscans was initiated by Lithuanians Franciscans OFM who lived in USA. After Father J. Vaskys came to USA in January 1941, he got in touch with Lithuanians from OFS who supported his efforts to move the province of St. Casimir from Lithuania, which had been occupied by soviets, to USA. On 4 November 1943, after Portland bishop J. McCarty permitted the foundation of permanent monastery in his episcopate, in Main, the Apostolic Delegate agreement and the Order State acceptance to establish a monastery were obtained. The proper premises were acquired and on 20 July 1944 the management of the Order appointed Father J. Vaskys to its principal; furthermore, the provincials of Franciscan families also agreed to concede OFS congregations within their jurisdiction. Consequently, on 13 November 1944, the board of USA third Order federation center accepted St. Casimir province as 25th province to its federation and assigned Father J. Vaskys to the first director. Having loose connections with Lithuania, Secular Franciscans lacked the literature for their spiritual development. Therefore, at the end of 1941, Father J. Vaskys renewed the publishing of St. Francis “Varpelis” which had been suppressed in Lithuania by communists. The periodical showed much attention to the Third Order by disclosing its spirituality and affairs regarding this Order both in USA and worldwide; the periodical also included OFS functions and youth spiritual education. “Varpelis” contained articles about Christianity and Lithuanian history, it prompted the fondness to the Motherland and its people who had been persecuted within the soviet occupation. Congregations and their spirits were reinforced by Franciscans who preached sermons during occasions such as recollections, 40 hours, novenas, and festivals; this attracted new members and revivified congregation activities. Regional conferences which always touched relevant topics also helped to strengthen the congregation activities. The American Third Order congresses were very important for the consolidation of Lithuanian OFS from USA to St. Casimir province and its activity reinforcement. In order to become more acquainted with the American Third Order, directors from St. Casimir province participated in the meetings convoked by the Order for province leaders and directors as well as in its study days. Every congregation was visited by the Third Order directors. During these visits, after the Oblation, various conferences were organized which included reporting about congregation‘s activities, new board elections, activity planning, and other concerns. Lithuanians OFS from USA and Canada were active in all three areas of St. Francis work – oneself development, apostolic activities, and neighbor love. They consolidated into Lithuanian catholic assemblies, promoted Lithuanian churches, benefices, cultural activities, and invested a fair amount to maintain Lithuanian print. Lithuanians

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