It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of Michael W. Blastic, OFM, a valued member of our community.

A renowned scholar of the Franciscan tradition, Fr. Blastic (1949-2023), Mike for most, served as colleague, mentor, confrère, and teacher, and was thought of with both affection and admiration. For his 70th birthday, Fr. Blastic’s confrères edited a volume, “Non enim fuerat Evangelii surdus auditor…” The title was chosen as it reflected Fr. Blastic’s commitment to living the gospel, as illustrated by his scholarship and pastoral ministry.

Mike attended many of our Other Sister virtual meetings including the last one (Dec. 2023). He saw women, particularly Clare of Assisi, as active participants in intellectual, theological and social history, and his work did much for bringing this into mainstream Franciscan dialogue.

A celebration of Fr. Blastic’s life will take place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in San Diego on January 8, 2024. It is also possible to attend online.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

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