Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist receive insignia

MERIDEN, CT (07-04-2005) - The Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist each received a cross of nails joined with a circle during Mass at the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist chapel in Meriden on the 4th of July. In her remarks as she bestowed the medals on the Brothers, Mother Rosemae Pender, FSE, Mother General, emphasized that the Brothers are now more visibly identified with the cross of Christ and with the call of Saint Francis who received the sacred stigmata.

This event marks one more step in the development of the Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist who officially received approval by the Archdiocese of Hartford in December 2002 with the intention of being aggregated to the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist as the men's branch of the order.

The medals now worn by the Brothers are fashioned in the same way as those worn by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, although the men's medals are slightly larger. Made of square nails with a circle of wire, the medal symbolizes the cross encircled by the Eucharist.

Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Vicar General, gives the insignia to theBrothers.	Mother Rosemae Pender, Mother General, invites the Community to sing the Blessing of St. Francis for the Brothers.
Brother Rufino Grealy and Brother Leo Maneri.	(L to r) Mother Rosemae Pender, Brother Leo Maneri, Mother Shaun Vergauwen and Brother Rufino Grealy.