On May 20th, the Feast of Saint Bernardine of Siena, Presiding Bishop Tony Hash, OSB, appointed Father Stephen Agosto, OSFC, Minister General of the Order. His term will coincide with the General Synod of 2021. During this time the Order of Saints Francis and Clare will formalize their Rule, Constitution, and a guide for the formation of candidates to the Order.  

Father Agosto, who has had a long relationship with the Franciscan Order, was born in Rochester, NY in 1954. Following high school, he attended St. Bonaventure University, majoring in journalism. Half-way through his schooling, Friar Stephen had a life-altering encounter with Jesus, which radically changed him. It was after this mystical moment that he discerned a call to priesthood and joined the Third Order Regular following graduation. He earned an M.Div and also an STM and was ordained in November of 1982.

Father Stephen has, since then, been involved in parish ministry and seminary education, and a variety of ministries.