At St Anthony’s Shrine, in Hawthorn, the Capuchin Friars led a rare Franciscan consecration ceremony for a deserving layman.
On December 27, 1981, the day in which the Shrine celebrated the Feast of Saint Stephen – the patron saint of the Sicilian island of Filicudi – director of the Third Order of Saint Francis, Nicola Simonazzi, officiated the affiliation of Giuseppe Picone with the Australian Capuchins.
Originally from Filicudi, Mr Picone lives in Melbourne with his wife and two children.
The recognition he received is rare and, among other things, gives Mr Picone the right to wear the Capuchin habit during religious ceremonies.
The Order of Friars reserves this right for special individuals considered models of the Christian way of life.
Mr Picone is the first layman to be affiliated with the Capuchin Friars in Victoria.
Having migrated to Australia in 1949, Mr Picone is also president of the Confraternity of St Stephen, which organised the annual feast day celebrations of Filicudi’s patron saint at St Anthony’s Shrine.
Thanks to Mr Picone’s initiative, this particular religious guild also accepts women.
Mr Picone’s certificate of affiliation was signed by Prior Provincial, Father Carmelo Flora, and outlined the reason behind the recognition:
“In sincere appreciation of the many years of service and devotion to the Franciscan Order in Australia, we, Capuchin Friars of the Province of the Assumption, affiliate you, Giuseppe Picone, to our province.
“With this affiliation, you are considered a special friend and patron of our order and will participate in a special way in all divine favours of the order and in the work and prayers of all our friars.”
