Three candidates given applications to province
By Br. Greg Plata, OFM
Three more men were given applications to the Province of Our Lady Guadalupe following a March 28 to 30 discernment retreat weekend at Casa Guadalupe and San Juan Diego Friaries in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The participants were welcomed by members of the province’s vocations team: Brothers Greg Plata, OFM, Basil Valente, OFM, Henry Djojo, OFM, Ryan Thornton, OFM, and Luis Rosado, OFM.
“The setting of this beautiful friary in the Southwest, the welcoming spirit of the friars who serve and live in this area, along with the great hospitality shown made the weekend a great success,” said Br. Greg, who serves as national vocation director.
Br. Michael Haney, OFM, guardian of Casa Guadalupe Friary, opened the weekend with a warm welcome, along with Brothers Bruce Michalek, OFM, Bob Valentine, OFM, Art Anderson, OFM, Duane Torisky, OFM, Greg Friedman, OFM, and Provincial Councilor Rommel Perez, OFM.
On Friday night, Br. Phillip McCarter, OFM, a simply professed friar living in San Antonio, Texas, shared his personal story of what attracted him to the friars.
“I really love my brothers,” he said, “And I know they accept and love me for who I am. This is a community where you are accepted for who you are, and your brothers will help you grow.”
During Saturday’s Morning Prayer, Br. Greg Freidman, OFM, spoke about the spirit of Sts. Francis and Clare, followed by Br. Greg Plata’s talk on the friars’ lived experience of the vows in the 21st century. Later that morning, each of the discerners was interviewed by the vocation team to gain better insights into their lives.
The information was then discussed as to the qualifications for their acceptance as candidates. During this stage, the men are given official application forms, enabling them to prepare for their psychological and spiritual evaluations, followed by the official interview by the interviewing committee. If accepted, the now candidate would prepare to enter the postulant program in mid-August.
After lunch, the three men were taken to San Juan Diego Friary, where Brothers Ron Walters, OFM, John Friebel, OFM, and Seán Murnan, OFM, shared their ministerial experiences working among the indigenous peoples of that area, particularly our Navajo and Pueblo brothers and sisters. This gave the candidates a chance to learn about this ministry and ask questions about Franciscan life.
“Every friar was great, and each one I had great conversations with, from eating meals with them, to doing prayers with them, to even playing Uno with them the night before I left,” said one candidate. “I did not want to leave New Mexico!”
During Sunday’s Morning Prayer, each discerner was handed the application packet to the province, which details the necessary procedures and paperwork for admission.
When asked about his weekend experience, another candidate said, “In the far side of the wilderness, God revealed his plan for Moses in a burning bush. In the far side of Albuquerque, New Mexico, God revealed his plan for me with the Franciscans. I had a great time, and they have helped me to surrender myself to God’s plan for my life.”