35 Men Join the friars to Discern the Lord's Call
On two weekends, March 12-14 and April 2-4, our Vocation Director Fr. Raf Anguiano, OFM Cap., led candidates to Salisbury, PA, for vocational retreats. 18 men in March and 17 men in April joined with friars to discern our way of life and the Lord's call in their lives. The weekends, often referred to as "Come and See" weekends, give the men a chance to meet others who have the same questions in their lives, to share prayer and community with the friars for a weekend and to spend some time to sort out with the Lord their own call to live the Gospel.
Br. Gamalier Ordained in Puerto Rico
We celebrate with our Custody of St. John the Baptist in Puerto Rico at the ordination of our brother, Gamalier Martinez Meléndez, OFM Cap., in San Juan on Monday, March 8. The celebration took place in the church of San Antonio in Rio Piedras, PR. He was ordained by our Capuchin confrere Cardinal Sean O'Malley, and in the group photo above are our Capuchin brothers José Fernando Irizarry (councilor), Tom Betz (our Provincial Minister), Cardinal Sean, Gamalier, Ramón Negrón (PR Minister) and José Antonio Cruz (councilor).
Blessings for a grace-filled and fruitful ministry, Gamalier!
What attracted our novices to the Capuchin Life?
Our Capuchin novitiate community put together a video featuring the reflection of our novices about what attracted these men to our Capuchin Franciscan way of life. Have a look - you just might have a vocation too! Visit the webpage of our North American Capuchin Conference to find a vocation director near you who can help answer your questions and to discover the ways that the Lord is calling you to follow him.
Postulants Hit the Ground Walking
The Postulants are now a complete trio after the arrival of Federico ("Fico") Vizquez (right of Tom in the photo) in September, and the friary is complete with the return of our brother Reynaldo Frias Santana, OFM Cap. Our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., was there for Fico's reception on Wednesday, September 16, and his companions Pablo Lopez and Raf Altejar (left of Tom) were there to show him around in Philly(below).
Postulants Begin their Capuchin Journey
On July 16, 2020, our newest Postulants were received into the community at our Padre Pio Friary in Philadelphia, PA, where they will live and work together in this first year of formation in our Capuchin life and work. Our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., led the initiation and offered words of encouragement and challenge as these men embark on their journey to become Capuchin friars. The men who were completing their year of postulancy and heading for their novitiate year in Santa Ynez, CA, were also present "thanks" to the COVID-19 delay in beginning their year with other novices of the North American/Pacific Capuchin Conference.
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