As they profess first vows, three friars find freedom in fraternity

Author: Eli Pacheco

Date Published: July 09, 2026

Surrounded by friars, family and friends, three men made a special commitment to God and the Franciscan Order during a simple profession ceremony on July 2. 

Beneath the twin bell towers at Old Mission Santa Barbara, where Franciscans have prayed and lived for generations, Brothers Michael Barrett, OFM, Kevin Fox, OFM, and Carlos Velazquez Estrada, OFM, publicly professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, surrounded by friars who had made the same promises before them. 

Simple profession is a significant milestone in a friar's discernment journey, marking the completion of the novitiate year and the beginning of life under temporary vows. Each friar receives a cord with three knots, symbolizing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, to which they commit themselves for one year at a time. They will renew their vows annually throughout initial formation, until they are ready to profess solemn (permanent) vows.  

As they professed their vows, each friar committed himself to living the Gospel in the footsteps of St. Francis, taking a decisive step on the Franciscan path he had been discerning throughout the novitiate year. 

The vows, they said, are not limitations but a path to greater freedom — to belong more fully to God, their brothers and those they are called to serve. 

Echoing themes from St. Francis’ own conversion story in his homily, Provincial Minister Br. Lawrence Hayes, OFM, told the friars that the vows invite them to “see with new eyes” — recognizing fraternity as God's gift and becoming neighbors to those on the margins. Through those promises, they offer themselves to a life of Gospel service rooted in love, community and a willingness to follow Christ wherever he leads.  

“This is the kind of adventure that awaits you as professed Franciscans,” Br. Larry said. “To see with new eyes things that you might not have on your own. To see with new eyes because you're open enough to allow the voice of the Lord ... to nudge you.” 

After Br. Larry received each friar’s vows, the dozens of friars and friends in attendance gave them warm applause, then formed a welcoming line, sharing hugs with the newly simply professed.  

The path to simple profession unfolded differently for each friar, but all three described the novitiate year as a time of deepening faith, fraternity and self-discovery. 

Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Kevin Fox, OFM, said he felt closest to God in his novitiate year. To him, first vows "means that I'll be adding a layer of commitment to this fraternity and within my own relationship with God." (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
 

Br. Kevin: Joining a brotherhood 

In his novitiate year, Br. Kevin found grace in moments large and small. 

He described the vows as “a gaining of freedoms,” allowing him to deepen his relationship with God and fraternity. One of his first lessons in community came unexpectedly when he spent his first week of novitiate quarantined with COVID-19. The care of his brothers left an impression and shaped how he understood Franciscan life. 

“The little things of washing dishes, taking out the trash, remembering important dates, all build up and therefore are not truly little at all in community life,” he said. 

Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Carlos Valazquez Estrada, OFM, served 10 months as a Franciscan Volunteer Minister at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. "At times, it was difficult due to the physical and emotional toll service work can take on volunteers, but it was truly a learning and growing experience," he said. "After that, I was firmly committed to becoming a friar and continuing to minister to people." (Photos by Octavio Duran, OFM)

Br. Carlos: Seeing others 

During his novitiate year, Br. Carlos found himself transformed by Franciscan community. Living with less and focusing on others, he said, influenced his understanding of the Gospel and of the way Jesus encountered people. 

Reflecting on stories such as Zacchaeus, Nathaniel and the Samaritan woman, he was struck by how Jesus treated people with dignity and care. 

The vows, he said, help orient life toward God and others. By living alongside the brothers, he also discovered what he sees as a defining characteristic of Franciscan life. 

“The common theme among all friars is the joy that is their vocation,” he said. 

Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, said his service to the homeless at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center in Santa Barbara was key to his formation. "Witnessing for peace, respect for immigrants, constitutional parameters and American principles on the streets of Santa Barbara was significant," he said. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)

Br. Michael: Coming home 

For Br. Michael Barrett, OFM, the novitiate year felt like a homecoming. Drawn to the Franciscans by their sense of fraternity, humor and hospitality, he recalls encounters with friars in Minnesota, his pre-novitiate year in Quincy, Illinois, and more than five years living at St. Clement Friary in Cincinnati as milestones along his vocational journey. 

As a novice, ministry with people experiencing homelessness and a deeper appreciation for Saints Francis and Clare helped confirm the call he had been discerning for years. Looking back on the experience, however, what stands out most is not a single ministry or assignment, but the sense of belonging he found among his brothers. 

“Even more significant is the realization that I am home again with the friars,” he said. 

The congregation gave a warm welcome to the province's new simply professed.
The congregation gave a warm welcome to the province's new simply professed.
Brothers Michael Barrett, OFM, Larry Hayes, OFM, Kevin Fox, OFM, and Carlos Velazquez-Estrada, OFM, after the ceremony.
Brothers Michael Barrett, OFM, Larry Hayes, OFM, Kevin Fox, OFM, and Carlos Velazquez-Estrada, OFM, after the ceremony.
The knots on the cords friars wear represent the vows of chastity, obedience and poverty. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
The knots on the cords friars wear represent the vows of chastity, obedience and poverty. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
The congregation gave a warm welcome to the province's new simply professed.
Brothers Michael Barrett, OFM, Larry Hayes, OFM, Kevin Fox, OFM, and Carlos Velazquez-Estrada, OFM, after the ceremony.
The knots on the cords friars wear represent the vows of chastity, obedience and poverty. (Photos by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)

Seeing with new eyes 

Although their paths to profession differed, each friar spoke of discovering the same reality during the novitiate year: God encountered through fraternity, service and community.  

As they begin the next chapter of their Franciscan journey, they carry forward the invitation Br. Larry offered — to see with new eyes, become neighbors to others and share the love they have received, helping to heal wounds, unite what has fallen apart and bring home those who have lost their way. 

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