Our brother Francis Yacobi, OFM Cap., died at AGH West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, on Saturday evening, December 31, 2022, following several months of declining health. He was 73.
Francis was born to Xavier Francis and Anne (Petty) Yacobi on May 11, 1949, in South Bend, IN, and was baptized at St. Joseph Church, the family’s parish.
He attended Catholic elementary schools in Indiana and Illinois, graduating from Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, IL, in 1967. Frank earned Business Administration degrees in marketing and management at Northern Illinois University.
Discerning a vocation to Capuchin life and the priesthood, Frank was accepted into the Capuchin formation program and took pre-theology courses at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, OH, from 1983 to 1984.
In 1984 he was invested as a Capuchin novice at St. Conrad Friary, Allison Park, PA. Frank professed temporary vows as a Capuchin friar on July 13, 1985, and perpetual vows on August 2, 1988 with our brothers Michael Greb, OFM Cap., and David Nester, OFM Cap.
Read the article about Frank and the friars who made Solemn Vows together in 1988.
In preparation for priestly ministry, he studied theology at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, attaining a Master of Divinity in 1989. After serving a unique year of diaconate year in the diocesan parish of St. William's in Euclid, OH, Frank was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 1990.
His first assignment was to the missions in Papua New Guinea, initially in Ialibu as parochial vicar and then in Madang to serve on the faculty of St. Fidelis Seminary.
Frank returned from the missions in 1993 and was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in York, PA, as parochial vicar.
Read the article on the friar who arrived in York and his "delayed vocation" story.
A year later he was appointed to serve on the post-novitiate formation staff at Capuchin College in Washington, DC. In 2001, Frank was named guardian and director of formation. He also studied canon law at CUA, earning his Licenciate in Ecclesial Law (JCL) there in 2002.
From 2004 through 2010, Frank was guardian of St. John Evangelist Friary in Philadelphia and pastor of the parish, and following his tenure, he enjoyed a three-month sabbatical of prayer at St. Joseph Leonissa Hermitage in Wheeling, WV.
Read the article highlighting his service in Philadelphia.
Frank returned to Philadelphia in early 2011 to pastor the people of St. Callistus Parish and to assist with the formation of postulants in residence at the nearby friary of Blessed Sacrament parish. Two years later, he was named Guardian of that West Philadelphia fraternity and director of the postulancy program.
In 2016, Frank was appointed to serve in the Provincial headquarters as executive secretary and was named guardian of St. Conrad Friary in Allison Park. In 2020, along with the Provincial offices which were in transition there as the new annex in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh was being constructed, he moved with the offices to St. Augustine Friary there and continued his service as Executive Secretary to the Provincial Minister.
Frank was always ready to serve the Province in his capacity as a canon lawyer and was an important resource for his work on our provincialate.
Throughout his Capuchin life, Frank had an affection for the Secular Franciscan Order, serving as Spiritual Assistant to fraternities in Washington, Annapolis and Western Pennsylvania. He was also Spiritual Assistant to the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, providing guidance for the Sisters in Ohio, Virginia, Washington and Alabama.
Frank was also committed to the Capuchin Volunteer Corps of the Province, serving as a member of the Board and assisting director Margaret McIntyre as needed.
He was a faithful and prayerful Capuchin friar, avid reader, engaging conversationalist and enjoyed being with the brothers. Frank was a Notre Dame football fan to the core, and became famous for his holiday feasts at Capuchin College, most often consisting of a whole roasted pig. He was a great cook with experience in working in the resturant business prior to finding his vocation as a friar.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Michael and James. He is survived by his sisters Laura Anne (Ronald) Struyf of North Aurora, IL, and Tina (Frank) Motola of Glen, IL as well as his three brothers John (Carleen) of Clemmons, NC, Anthony (Katherine) of Waurika, OK, and Robert (Elizabeth) of New Lenox, IL; many nieces and nephews; and his Capuchin brothers.
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All services in
St. Margaret of Cortona Chapel
St. Augustine Friary
221 36th Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Friday, January 6, 2023
Reception of the body
4:00 p.m.
(friars only)
Public Viewing
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Prayer Vigil & Remembrances
8:00 p.m.
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Saturday, January 7, 2023
Viewing & Visitation
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Funeral Mass of Resurrection
10:30 a.m.
Burial will follow the Mass in friars' plot of
St. Augustine Cemetery
250 Wible Run Rd
Pittsburgh, PA.
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Memorial donations to honor
the life of our brother Frank
may be made online
to the Capuchin Franciscan Friars
or to the address in the footer below.