By Eileen Connelly, OSU  

During a beautiful, simple and deeply meaningful ceremony on July 2, two young men took the next step on their journey in Franciscan life as they professed simple (or first) vows celebrated at Old Mission Santa Barbara, California.  

Brothers Dan Rey, OFM, and Richard Gaunt, OFM, who received the habit of the Franciscan Order as novices on Nov. 1, 2023, were filled with gratitude and joy.  

Br. Gene Pistacchio, OFM, novice master, extended a warm welcome to those gathered, both in person and via livestreaming, for the rite of profession.  

“It is exciting to be here today,” he said. “This the first time to celebrate our vows ceremony as the new Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.”  

He offered thanks to the Capuchin friars from nearby San Lorenzo Seminary who shared several workshops with Brothers Dan and Richard over the past year; the friars who have shared daily life and prayer with them; ministry partners and supervisors; Secular Franciscans; parish friends; and “all who have been very instrumental in the formation of our novices, who have helped them grow into good, healthy, loving, and hopefully more integrated, human beings.” 

A young friar kneels in front of an older friar, who clasps his hands. The kneeling friar reads from a book held open before him.

Br. Larry Hayes, Provincial Minister receives the vows of Br. Dan Rey, which he recited in Spanish, as Br. Freddy Rodriguez holds the microphone. (Photo courtesy of Br. Octavio Duran)

Saying ‘yes’ to religious life  

The months since the investiture ceremony have been a time of prayer, contemplation, study and ministry for Brothers Dan and Richard, and an opportunity for both men to reflect on their Franciscan journey thus far.  

Br. Dan is from Chicago. His parents hail from Mexico City. He began discerning a call to religious life after attending World Youth Day in Panama City in 2019.  

“I had been feeling low in my spiritual life,” he admitted, “but the experience was a reawakening of my faith for me, and I felt like I wanted to do more. The conference's theme that year was what it means to be blessed, broken and give of ourselves. We’re all blessed because we continue to be given the grace of God. This opened me to give my ‘yes’ to religious life.” 

His spiritual director arranged dinner with a Franciscan friar, Br. Ed Shea, OFM, who inspired Br. Dan with his warmth, joy and authenticity.  

“I felt comfortable talking from my heart because he was talking from his heart,” Br. Dan said. “I had never had that kind of genuine heart-to-heart conversation before.”  

He was also drawn to the Franciscans’ sense of fraternity and community.  

“It’s the way they embrace each other and treat others and all those they minister to with such openness and respect. It’s something that I really wanted to explore and experience,” he explained.  

Two young friars pick up glass bowls of water and brushes so that they may bless attendees with holy water.
With guidance from Br. Jim Sabak, OFM, Brothers Dan Rey and Richard Gaunt prepare for the sprinkling rite with Sister Water. (Photo courtesy of Br. Octavio Duran)

A life centered on the Gospel  

Amid graduate school at the University of Texas and working with Catholic Charities Central Texas, Br. Richard, a convert to Catholicism, found himself drawn to the Franciscan charism.  

He recalls a trip to South America during which he wandered into an old church and “felt a strong desire to pray.”  

That church’s name? St. Francis.  

He later met a Capuchin friar who made a strong impression on him.  

“I felt like St. Francis kept popping up in my life, and as I explored religious life, the idea of being a Franciscan made the most sense to me. I connected with the OFMs during an online discernment event amid COVID, then began one-on-one dialogue, and things just went from there.”  

For Br. Richard, the “real, genuine love for God” that he experienced in his early interactions with the friars provided inspiration, as did the “emphasis on the Gospel way of life and following that where it takes you,” he said. “I’ve always had a natural itinerancy to how I’ve done things, so a life centered on the Gospel in a really radical way is a good fit for me.”  

Both brothers are grateful for their recent ministry experiences. Br. Dan visited and took Communion to patients at a local hospital, while Br. Richard worked with the homeless. Each experienced how significant the ministry of presence was to those they ministered with and to.  

“The patients knew I’m with the Franciscans, and I was able to put a face to friars and provide a listening ear,” Br. Dan sad. “I realized how important it is just to listen to what people have to say and let the healing and restorative power of the Eucharist do its work.”  

A smiling younger friar receives the sign of peace from an older friar.

Br. Richard Gaunt smiles as he receives a hug from one of his brothers during the sign of peace. (Photo courtesy of Br. Octavio Duran)

Found in Christ  

As the rite of profession approached, both men acknowledged feeling excited and blessed.  

“I’m treating these vows as a very concrete sign of continuing to give my ‘yes’ to trying to live out the Gospel and Franciscan way of life,” Br. Dan noted. “I know there may be challenges to stray away from the vows, but we have our brotherhood to keep us strong, and our community that needs us and keeps us focused. This way of life gives us the strength to continue the work that God has asked us to do.”  

“I’m feeling really excited,” said Br. Richard. “It’s hitting me just how grateful I am to even be at this point on my journey. Being here is the greatest surprise of my life. I feel such a sense of gratitude for what God has done, the way he has worked through me in spite of myself. This is such a gift and privilege. I have so much gratitude that it’s hard to express it.”  

Br. Larry Hayes, OFM, Provincial Minister, offered a moving homily during the ceremony. He shared a quote from 2009 document from the Order titled “Go and Teach: General Guidelines for a Franciscan Education,” that reads, “The personal encounter with Christ makes us disciples and missionaries because this relationship allows us to experience the infinite love of God.”  

He noted that St. Paul, in the First Reading, speaks of this personal relationship as “the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,” and of “being found in him.”  

“The experience of being found in Christ, of experiencing ourselves swimming in God’s love, grounds our ability to profess the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience,” he continued. “It makes disciples and missionaries eager to share God’s love with others and to discover Christ anew in his 10,000 faces.” 

After the homily, Br. Larry received the brothers’ vows, with Br. Dan professing his in Spanish and “feeling the support and embrace of my culture.”  

As the ceremony drew to a close, Br. Larry said, “To Dan and Richard, thank you for your ‘yes.’ Thank you for your willingness to risk this adventure that is Franciscan life. Thank you for your ‘yes’ to walk with us on this journey and to continue to discover together the richness of living in Christ.”  

Two friars smile as they share a hug.

Br. Dan Rey, OFM, receives a joyful sign of peace from Br. Larry Hayes, Provincial Minister. (Photo courtesy of Br. Octavio Duran)

Driven by God’s love  

Brothers Dan and Richard have a busy rest of the summer ahead with plans to visit family, participate in the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis and various ministry opportunities. They will eventually head to the Franciscans’ mission in Jamaica to take part in Brothers Walking Together, the province’s post-novitiate ministry immersion program.  

Both brothers offered advice and encouragement for others discerning God’s will for them.  

“I think it’s important to just be conscious of where God is calling you to serve, based on where your heart is most content and where you feel the most comfortable, while also challenging yourself to be uncomfortable,” Br. Dan said. “We need to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable, be Christ-centered and love-driven, driven to act wherever we can to share God’s love. Just remember to keep God and his love at the center of your life.”  

“I think the most important thing is to pray, pray, pray and root yourself in the Gospel,” Br. Richard added. “Immersing myself in Scripture has helped my vocation make sense and guided me. There’s always going to some uncertainty and doubt when discerning your vocation but reading Scripture and turning to God in prayer has gotten me through that and been the life source that I’m drawing from. Having that connection with God is what lets you trust in him.”  

The ceremony may viewed at Rite of First Profession July 2024 - YouTube.