We have received word that our Minister General, Friar Michael Perry, OFM, was involved in a serious bicycle accident on August 15 while on vacation in Chicago and has broken his pelvis in two places as well as his femur.   It was also discovered that his hip socket was fractured.  Friar Michael was admitted to the University of Chicago Hospital, where he is scheduled for surgery on Monday, August 19.  Please remember Friar Michael in your prayers for a speedy recovery. 

LETTER FROM THE MINISTER GENERAL ABOUT HIS BICYCLE ACCIDENT
Posted on August 19, 2019 in Letters, Minister General, News
My dear Brothers, 
May the Lord give you peace!
I am writing from the University of Chicago medical center. On Thursday, August 15, I was riding my bike along the lakefront, something I have done each day since beginning my holiday in the United States. Unfortunately, I did not see a place in the road where there was a hole. I entered the hole but then ran into another slab of concrete, which prevented me from moving forward. As a result, I fell from the bike onto my left side. The impact of the fall onto hard cement resulted in the breakage of part of the pelvic bone that holds in place the femur and controls leg movement. As a consequence, I will undergo surgery to reconstruct of the affected areas. I thank God that no other parts of my body were injured.
According to the doctors, it is a complex injury that will require extensive post-operation physical therapy and rehabilitation. I will be absent from the General Curia for an extended period of time. According to Art. 200 §1 of our General Constitutions, during my absence as I am impeded, all issues and matters must be referred to the Vicar-General, Bro. Julio César Bunader.
Thanks to the Friars, to the Conventuals, the Capuchins, the Poor Clares, the Sisters, the Secular Franciscans and all those who have sent messages or have called to demonstrate their concern and support for me. 
I will ask one of the friars of my Province to provide updates to the General Curia as things develop. Please keep me in your prayers! Even as you pray for me, I will keep you in prayer. May God bless each of you.
 
Chicago, Illinois, USA, August 17, 2019
Fraternally yours,
Br. Michael A. Perry, OFM
Minister General and Servant