On January 14, Franciscans honor the memory of Blessed Odoric of Pordenone (c. 1286–1331), one of the most prominent missionaries of the later Middle Ages.

Devoted to prayer, missionary life

A native of the town of Pordenone in the Friuli region of Northern Italy, Odoric joined the Friars Minor about 1302. He devoted his early life to eremitical prayer and preaching but then went to evangelize in other lands, first in the Balkans and then among non-Christian peoples in Southern Russia. After returning home for a time, he left Venice c. 1317/18 as a missionary to Asia. He would be gone for over a dozen years on a remarkable journey.

Modern Chinese depiction (c. 1930s) of Odoric preaching

Evangelizing in Asia, Middle East

Traveling first to Constantinople, he spent some time at Franciscan houses in what is now Armenia and Iran. Sailing down the Persian Gulf, Odoric arrived in India

COMMISSION ON THE FRANCISCAN INTELLECTUAL-SPIRITUAL TRADITION SEEKS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

JOB TITLE:

Administrative Assistant

SUPERVISOR:

Chair, Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual-Spiritual Tradition (CFIT)

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Administrative Assistant for the Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual-Spiritual Tradition (CFIT) works in tandem with the Chair and other Commission members to facilitate the effective and efficient internal operations of the organization, in particular, the creation and distribution of documents and tasks related to the Commission’s Executive Committee and full board meetings.

OPTIMAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Familiarity with the Franciscan charism and experience working with the Franciscan family.

2. Minimum of 1 to 3 years’ administrative experience with excellent understanding of office organization, maintenance of organizational files and records, and best clerical practices, with attention to detail, timeliness in completion of tasks, and adherence to confidentiality.

3. Experience working in a variety of professional and nonprofit settings, domestically and internationally.

4. Excellent writing, editing,

The Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual-Spiritual Tradition (CFIT) appointed Jack Clark Robinson, OFM, to its board and elected him treasurer at its board meeting January 29, 2021.

A desire to spread the Franciscan tradition

CFIT Chair Dominic Monti, OFM, distinguished professor of Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University, said Father Jack’s addition to the CFIT board brings a wealth of experience, organizational skills, and a desire to spread the Franciscan tradition.

Responsible for financial accounting and funding

As treasurer, Fr. Jack will be responsible for providing accurate and accessible accounting of the organization’s finances and identifying and retaining funding that will allow the Franciscan organization to continue its initiatives to retrieve, preserve, and articulate the Franciscan intellectual and spiritual tradition.

A specialist in Franciscan history in the United States

Fr. Jack specializes in the history of the Franciscans in the United States, studying the activities of Franciscans who came to