5 friars to profess vows, 3 to be ordained in August

Eight Franciscan friars from the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe will celebrate significant milestones in their Franciscan journey this August. 

Three friars will be ordained on Aug. 22 and five friars will profess solemn vows on Aug. 23 at Holy Family Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. With support from fellow friars, family, friends and lay partners-in-ministry, they will commit to their next step in Franciscan religious life. 

Solemn profession candidates 

After completing initial formation, a friar can seek approval from the Provincial Minister to take lifelong vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the Order of Friars Minor. The following friars (pictured above from left to right) will profess solemn vows: 

• Br. Edgar Alberto, OFM, of El Salvador, started evangelizing with the Apostoles de la Palabra before moving to California at 19. 

• Br. Daniel Cruz, OFM, from Blythewood, South Carolina, decided to join the Franciscans after meeting friars at the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia in Athens. 

• Br. Jimmy Kernan, OFM, from Syracuse, New York, began postulancy in 2019 after meeting friars at St. Bonaventure University and Mt. Irenaeus in Western New York. 

• Br. Adolfo R. Mercado, OFM, from Sacramento, California, began his education and advocacy work in 1998 and became a friar in 2018. 

• Br. Joshua Richter, OFM, from Hamilton, Ohio, chose to become a Franciscan at age 12 after meeting friars from the legacy St. John the Baptist Province who served Spanish-speaking parishioners. 

The province also had the joy of celebrating the solemn profession of Br. Manuel Mendoza, OFM, earlier this year. 

Br. Edgar’s call to religious life was strengthened during his year serving with the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. 

“I saw the way friars interact with people and the power of solidarity, hospitality and compassion for others,” he said. “Friars and volunteers help others with hot meals, and welcome back those who have been marginalized by society.” 

“When I saw the good the friars do for others, I heard the call more clearly and I decided to respond to that call and serve others as a Franciscan friar.” 

Initial formation provided Br. Adolfo new perspectives on sacrifice and service, informed by his experience growing up in a poor immigrant family. 

“Life has always been a mix of sacrifice and joy. There have been times when I have felt a bit depleted, but then a note, message, comment, or observation helps me re-orient myself and the relationship with God,” he said. “I enjoy living life and engaging with the world as a friar in service, open to the work of the Holy Spirit and prioritizing prayer to keep the relationship with God at the center. God is good!” 

Candidates for ordination 

After professing solemn vows, some friars feel called to serve as priests. The following are to be ordained (pictured above from left to right): 

• Rev. Br. Noe Alfaro Casas, OFM, from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, has a brother who is a postulant with the Franciscan Province of Sts. Francis and James, and another relative who serves as a diocesan priest in their hometown. 

• Rev. Br. Raphael Nnabuikem Ozoude III, OFM, was born in Los Angeles, raised Catholic in Nigeria, and first considered joining the Franciscans while a sophomore at Baylor University in 2013. 

• Rev. Br. Matthew Thomas Ryan, OFM, of Covington, Kentucky, earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2001 and spent 13 years as a public defender. Inspired by the Franciscans he met at St. Monica and St. George Parish during law school, he pursued his vocation. 

“I pray that I will be a good priest using my gifts for the greater glory of our God who loves us all for who we are,” Br. Matt said. “I hope to continue being with people who seek and inspire others to deeper relationship with God and that my sacramental ministry nurtures such sacred encounters.”  

Br. Raphael says he is open to all ministries, especially those in evangelization, education, sacraments and outreach. 

Next steps in following Francis 

Friars, friends and lay partners-in-ministry will celebrate with the candidates. For Br. Noe, ordination is an opportunity to reunite with his parents and fellow friars from formation. 

“I have met many families and good people, and I hope to see some of them at my upcoming ordination,” he said. 

Br. Edgar once questioned his strength and worthiness to embrace the vows. “Those questions were in my head and heart,” he said. He then saw vows as a way of life, he said.  

“Formation was the beginning of something positive and holy,” he said. “I am beginning to understand it will take a life commitment to live and fully understand my vows.”