Father André Cirino, OFM

Sharing the story of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and conveying the importance of these 13th century saints to our modern world is extremely important to Viterbo and the many friends and supporters of the Franciscan Tradition.

One who does this incredibly well is Fr. André Cirino, OFM. Described as a contemporary Franciscan itinerant preacher and master storyteller, his ministerial experience includes parish work, Franciscan formation, and high school education. He worked for eight years at the Little Portion Retreat House for the poor in Bronx, N.Y. He has authored many scholarly writings and is best known within the FSPA and Viterbo community as an Assisi Pilgrimage leader. Fr. André’s latest publication is The Cross Was Their Book, meditations on St. Francis’ prayer before a crucifix. He edited a journal on the writing of Francis, In the Womb of the Cave and coauthored numerous publications which established him as a preeminent Franciscan scholar.

Fr. André’s hero is Pope John XXIII, a namesake of particular importance to this evening’s ceremony. He not only is keenly aware of the story of John XXIII, he also works hard to have others understand the positively creative impact of his papacy and the legacy he left the church in the work produced by V-atican II.

To this day, whenever Fr. André has the opportunity, he will take his Assisi pilgrims to the front of John XXIII’s tomb in St. Peter’s Basilica where he will celebrate Mass.

Much of his work today involves having individuals make connections between the ancient teachings of Francis and Clare, and the timeless application in modern life which allow men and women to express a Franciscan philosophy in their workplace and in their personal lives. “Fr. André is an incredibly amazing spokesperson for what it means to be Franciscan. He has a way of discussing St. Francis, who lived so many years ago, and yet makes it real for us today,–” said one La Crosse pilgrim who was part of the Assisi experience. “Knowing him changed my life.”

Fr. André lives in the Siena Friary in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., living his Franciscan lifestyle—still sharing with passion and grace, that which he knows about the Franciscan Tradition and the lives and teachings of Saints Francis and Clare.