News & Events | September 28, 2026
Beatification of a Dehonian martyr
On Sunday, September 27, Dehonian Father Martino Capelli was beatified at the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna, Italy, along with Salesian Father Elia Comini and a diocesan priest, Fr. Ubaldo Marchioni. The three were martyred in 1944 in the Monte Sole massacres, which took place near the site of the beatification.
Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, presided over the celebration on behalf of the Holy Father. He was joined by 150 concelebrants, among them: Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Archbishop Antonio Sozzo, apostolic nuncio emeritus, Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez, SCJ superior general, Don Fabio Attard, rector major of the Salesian Society, and dozens of SCJ priests from around the world.
Fr. Francis
Fr. Francis Vu Tran, SCJ, represented the US Province (Fr. Greg Schill, SCJ, was also to have attended but was sidelined by a last-minute foot injury).
“The Pope called them [the three to be beatified] ‘pastores et boni Samaritani,’ shepherds and Good Samaritans who shared the sufferings of their flock ‘even to the shedding of blood.'” wrote Fr. Francis. “When their image was unveiled and the relics carried forward, the whole basilica rose to its feet. For those of us who share Fr. Dehon’s charism, one of our own had just been raised to the altars.”
Reflecting on the sacrifice of the martyrs, Fr. Francis wrote that “Few of us will be asked for our blood but all of us are asked for the daily offering… Blessed Martino, Elia, and Ubaldo, pray for us.”
Click here to read Fr. Francis’ full reflection on Saturday’s vigil and Sunday’s beatification Mass.
Click here to view photos and videos from the beatification weekend posted on the general Facebook page (DehoniansWorldwide).
Click here to read the summary of the beatification on the general website.
Please remember
The brother-in-law of Fr. Guy Blair, SCJ, died on September 25. Fr. Guy writes that “Ben was 74 and died of heart failure.” He was the husband of Fr. Guy’s sister, Denise.
John Kulick, an alumnus of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (class of 70) died on September 12. His brothers Jeff and Kevin also attended IHM in the 1970s.
Elise Jorgens, the mother-in-law of Chris Lambert (Province Director of Financial Services) died September 21 in Los Gatos, CA. Her twin daughters, Catherine (“Cat” – Chris’ wife) and Elizabeth were with her.
Congratulations!
At last week’s meeting, the Provincial Council voted on several appointments and requests, including:
Frater Michael Wodarczyk, SCJ, and Frater Truc Tran, SCJ, were approved for final vows. The ceremony will take place in Hales Corners on Saturday, December 5.
Fr. Christian Hoper’s request for transfer to the US Province from the Indonesian Province was approved.
The term of Fr. Hendrik Ardianto, SCJ, as moderator of the NW Mississippi pastoral team was extended for one year.
Fr. Francis Vu Tran, SCJ, was appointed as chairperson of the Province Senior Life Commission.
Dehonian Associates
Monica Misey, province director of Dehonian Associates, shares an update, noting that the number of Associates groups is growing.
“Three groups are active in Mississippi, one in Texas, three in South Dakota (two at St. Joseph’s and one among the Filipino community in Fort Thompson), two in Wisconsin and one online!” writes Monica. “There are also new associates in other locations, which we are trying to support as interest in the SCJ spirituality is growing across the country.”
She continued, noting that “People are looking for meaning, and to be part of something good. They want to make our world a better place, or as SCJs say, ‘Work toward God’s reign – Adveniat regnum tuum!‘ The spirituality touches hearts. I am amazed by the people joining associate groups – people with truly open hearts, and with many gifts. Together, we can help carry forward the SCJ charism.”
Pictured above are members of the Dehonian Music Ministry in South Dakota who are forming an Associates group. Joining them in the photo are members of the Lower Brule Pastoral Team.
Dehon Lecture text
Click here to access a PDF of Bishop José Ornelas Carvalho’s text from his Dehon Lecture presentation at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology on September 16. A video recording of the lecture will soon be posted on the SHSST YouTube channel.
DSC digitization project
The Dehon Study Center (DSC) is making steady progress in organizing and digitizing its collections, thanks in large part to the dedicated volunteer service of Edell Ballintra (pictured above, working on the collection), a Dehonian Associate. Working closely with Katie Utschig of the SHSST Library, Edell has received training in library cataloging and database management. Together, they are identifying and importing records into the DSC holdings database, a critical step toward a searchable, professionally organized collection.
“This initiative will make the Center’s collections easier to locate, retrieve, preserve, and manage,” said Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, DSC director.
The immediate goal is to build a comprehensive, searchable catalog of the Dehon Study Center’s holdings. Initially, researchers will utilize the database to discover available resources. A long-term goal is to position the Dehon Study Center’s resources as a recognized “special collection” within online library networks. This recognition would increase the visibility of its unique Dehonian holdings.
“I am grateful for the collaboration of dedicated volunteers like Edell, and partners like Katie,” said Fr. Joseph. “With their help the Dehon Study Center is preserving the spiritual, historical, and intellectual heritage of the Dehonian tradition for future generations”
Dehon Book Club resumes
Dehon Book Club meetings will resume this Friday, October 2. “We will begin reading selected materials from Fr. Van Hai Ngo’s book, Léon Dehon: Spiritualité du Cœur du Christ et engagement sociétal (Leo Dehon: Spirituality of the Heart of Christ and Social Engagement),” wrote Fr. Joseph Mukuna.
To register for the October 2 meeting, and to receive the materials for it, please contact Fr. Joseph at: mukuna@dehoniansusa.org
October birthdays
Those celebrating birthdays in October include Fr. John van den Hengel on Oct. 1, Fr. Ed Zemlik on Oct. 3, Fr. Bob Naglich and Fr. Tony Russo on Oct. 4, Fr. Tom Cassidy on Oct. 13, Br. Dieudonné Tchouteu on Oct. 14, Fr. Maurice Légaré on Oct. 15, Fr. Christianus Hendrik on Oct. 21, Fr. Bob Bossie on Oct. 23, Fr. Richard Johnston on Oct. 27, Fr. Marius Saputra on Oct. 29, and Fr. Christian Hoper on Oct. 30. Happy birthday!
Click here to subscribe to the weekly news (Fridge Notes) via email