Lessons from decades of Franciscan life
Author: Eli Pacheco
Date Published: July 22, 2026
When men choose Franciscan life, they rarely know where the journey will lead. Yet for the friars celebrating jubilee anniversaries at the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s 2026 Provincial Chapter, one thing has become clear through decades of ministry and brotherhood: God's love often appears in places they never expected.
Reflecting on 25 and 50 years of profession or ordination, these jubilarians shared lessons from lives shaped by fraternity, prayer, service and trust in God's providence. Their stories offer a glimpse into the joys and challenges of Franciscan life – and what can happen when someone responds to God's invitation with a wholehearted “Yes!”
Fraternity is more than sharing a home; it is the network of relationships that sustains them through ministry, growth and prayer. From left to right: Brothers Andrew Dinegar, OFM, John Gutierrez, OFM, Jimmy Kernan, OFM, and Juan Luis Guerrero, OFM, at St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco in 2024. (POLG file photo)
Brotherhood that becomes home
Franciscans do not walk alone. For these jubilarians, fraternity is more than sharing a home; it is the relationships that have sustained them through decades of ministry, personal growth and prayer.
Loren Connell, OFM, 50 years of ordination
Ordo Fratrum Minorum, Order of Friars Minor, Community of Lesser Brothers. That is what we call ourselves, and that is our charism. In these polarized times our world – our Church, our nation – needs that charism more than ever. We are a diverse lot of flawed men. If we allow ourselves to be brother to one another and to everyone that we encounter, we give hope to a broken world – we give witness to the Kingdom. May God continue to call us deeper into brotherhood.
Alex Kratz, OFM, 25 years of ordination
What I find life-giving is the personal sharing we do after morning prayer, as we look ahead to the new day or the week to come, or even what has happened so far in the week we are in. Interesting and personal details of a brother’s life come up in an unfiltered way that helps us feel we are “in this” together. The same is true during dinner – we share what has happened during the day, and how we faced the challenges that life has brought us, with faith and love in God and towards others.
Charles Talley, OFM, 25 years of ordination
I am most grateful for the “heart and hearth” of Franciscan life I have been privileged to experience. The “heart” is of course the heart of Jesus, encountered in word, sacrament, prayer, meditation and daily living. The “hearth” is that sense of home so many friars have created and lived. That place of welcome, acceptance, humor, grace and joy which I have found so nurturing, inspiring, and restorative throughout my life as a friar.
Edward Tlucek, OFM, 50 years of solemn profession
My mom had a good singing voice and would often sing to us.
One of the songs that I fondly remember was a song written by Harry Woods titled, “Side by Side.”
The song's famous chorus begins:
“Oh, we ain’t got a barrel of money,
Maybe we’re ragged and funny,
But we’ll travel along, singin’ a song,
Side by side...”
I thought of that refrain as I reflect on my years as a Franciscan friar.
I joined the legacy ABVM Province. I really had no idea about provinces at that point.
I did find a kindred spirit in the Polish background of these friars. There were connects that made me feel at home as if among family members.
“Oh, we ain’t got a barrel of money.”
I came from a hardworking family, into a hardworking fraternity. The friars lived by the work of their hands. There was no cash cow that provided for our needs. It was our work that made it happen. It helped me come to a deep understanding of our vow of poverty. We took nothing for granted. And at the end of the day, all I could do was say, “thank you.
“Maybe we're ragged and funny,” reminded me of my school days when we had to wear our uniforms. It helped to level the playing field. There were no designer uniforms. It also brought a sense of identity. For me, wearing the habit reminds me that the simplicity of our life is reflection even in the clothes we wear and the sense of identity as a brotherhood.
“But we'll travel along, singin’ a song, side by side...” And when all is said and done, I am blessed with brothers. I don’t do this alone. I can count on brothers to celebrate moments of joy and sit with me in times of sadness. And here, I want to single out my one and only classmate/clashmate, John Cella, who has been a constant companion over these 50 years. Thank you, John. It has been an amazing ride!
Brothers John Aherne, OFM (left), and Juan de la Cruz Turcios, OFM, share a moment at Siena University in 2023. Friars often discover that God's plans for them lead them to places and experiences they never thought imaginable. (Photo by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Discovering a life you never expected
Few jubilarians describe their Franciscan journey as carefully planned. Instead, they recall unexpected turns, surprising ministries and doors that opened only after they stepped forward in faith. Over time, they discovered that God's plans often reached beyond anything they had imagined.
James Bok, OFM, 50 years of ordination
My advice to the younger friars and those discerning is, ‘Say yes to the unexpected!’ I have been a friar for 55 years and priest for 52. I never planned or expected to be involved in any of the ministries that were mine.
After ordination, I was assigned to teach at Roger Bacon High School. I anticipated going to law school in the evenings, but put that on hold until I settled in. Little by little, I was asked to take on responsibilities, over and above teaching in the classroom.
Roger Bacon needed a tennis coach, and I was asked to take the job because I played tennis, even though I knew nothing about coaching the sport. I said YES! Getting involved with the kids outside of the classroom was really cool. I started going to tennis clinics too. Well, little by little, my desire to go to law school started fading. After a couple years I was asked to be the assistant soccer coach. I said YES! And then came the Moderator of the Student Senate. I said YES!
The friar in charge of ongoing formation pressed me to work on a master’s degree in education at Xavier University. I said YES! He must have known something that I didn’t know. In my sixth year at Roger Bacon, I was asked to be the Dean of Students. I said YES! The next year, I was asked to be the principal. I said YES!
When I told the provincial I would like to move on from Roger Bacon, he said yes. I was asked to take over the provincial development office, being told I could learn the tricks of the trade. I said YES! I embraced that ministry for 17 years, the last nine also serving on the provincial council. The brothers called me to serve them, and I said YES!
Then, for the first time in my Franciscan life, I asked to do something, to go to our Franciscan missions in Jamaica. The provincial said YES!
It's been an incredible and blessed ride, with someone else at the wheel. Brothers, say ‘yes’ to the unexpected. The Holy Spirit is in it somewhere!
Few described their journey as carefully planned. Instead, they tell of unexpected opportunities, surprising ministries and doors that opened only after they took a step in faith. They learned over time that God's plans often lead further than imaginable.
Jeff Scheeler, OFM, 50 years of solemn profession
My life as a friar has been so broadened and enriched by this call from God. I have met more people and gone to more places than I ever dreamed I would. If I had not been a friar, I probably would not have been exposed to so many different cultures, met so many different people, gone to so many different places, given so many opportunities to develop gifts and to serve in various situations. I have served in Galveston, Texas; Houston; Lafayette, Louisiana; Cincinnati and Southfield, Michigan. In initial formation, I spent a year in Jemez Pueblo. I have served in parishes, initial formation, campus ministry and province leadership. I was privileged to serve as a Visitor to Malta. My family jokes, “join the friars and see the world.” It is true. We belong to a worldwide brotherhood that broadens one’s horizon and worldview. My advice would be to stay open to surprises; be willing to go places you may not have thought about; trust calls to ministry from the brothers. And along the way, enjoy the ride!
Bob Sieg, OFM, 50 years of ordination
One job where I served for nine years was in vocation ministry. It was true happiness to walk with many young men as they discerned their future life. One simple message we advised a candidate to ‘follow your heart, and you will find your treasure!’ Walking together with close to 1,000 people over this time - I found joy in my heart too!
Br. Robert Lentz, OFM, works on an icon. Through lives of service and prayer, learning and Scripture, friars find Christ in so many ministries that deepen their faith. (POLG file photo)
Growing closer to God
Across decades of Franciscan life, jubilarians found that a vocation is sustained by a relationship with God that deepens over time. Through humble service and prayer, learning and Scripture, these friars discovered new ways of encountering Christ and growing in faith.
Stephen Kluge, OFM, 25 years of ordination
The most life-giving aspect of my Franciscan life has been time spent in personal prayer and reading the Scriptures. I credit Fr. Paul Osborne, whom I lived with during my novitiate in Providence, Rhode Island, as well as our receptionist, Ms. Joanna Perkins, who, when not answering the phone at Holy Name College, would constantly be reading her well-worn Bible. This time in prayer has helped me live with the many fine brothers God has blessed me with. And hopefully has made me a better brother to them.
PJ Pabatao, OFM, 25 years of ordination
The aspect of Franciscan life that is most life-giving to me is simplicity and humility. It reminds me that I am nothing without God and that I am called to be His unworthy servant. By living simply and humbly, I become more aware of His presence, recognize His beauty in all of creation, and joyfully serve Him through my ministries. This way of life brings me peace, gratitude and a deeper relationship with God.
James Sabak, OFM, 25 years of ordination
First is the awakening for me of our Franciscan perspective on education, what it means to learn and engage in the privilege God has given us to explore the world created for us and which knowledge and wisdom leads us back into the heart and mind of God. I never realized the fullness of the educational tradition in the Franciscan movement and the tremendous contributions made to learning by Bonaventure, Scotus, Alexander of Halles and Roger Bacon until I joined the Order and was permitted to begin higher studies. Their witness to learning and knowledge, not for its own sake but for the sake of bringing others to the knowledge and joy of being a part of the life of God, continues to inspire me in my pursuit of learning and in the manner in which I teach what I learn, believe what I teach, and practice what I believe. This has been most privileged in my opportunities, to teach liturgy to my brothers, particularly in formation, but also through other occasions among a variety of communities. As liturgy holds a privileged place in our efforts to evangelize and to put into motion the dynamic of our charism in the world, I have felt incredibly honored to be a part of this part of the dialogue as a friar in the work of salvation.
The second aspect is joined to this, but it is an educational focus privileged upon the youngest members of our community of faith – this is the work I was honored to do with the elementary school of our former parish in Raleigh, North Carolina, St .Francis of Assisi, The Franciscan School. The Franciscan School – with a capital T in “the” – was established not only to teach K through 8 students, but, more importantly, to open their hearts and minds to the wonder and joy of an education based on a Franciscan point of view. The fact that we begin at the very beginning is a testament to the belief that the mission of Francis and of Clare connects with the faithful, of any and every age.
At The Franciscan School, we focused on the recognition of our goodness, which was not meant to be selfishly kept or arrogantly used, but which calls us forth to share and recognize the goodness of others and of the world we are given as gifts. The wonder of ministering with a variety of ages in exploring and expressing the many ways goodness shapes and furthers what we learn and discover was an incredible blessing that was very unexpected, as I believed that I would only be ministering in colleges and universities. It was in this context, though, that I discovered the truth of the Gospel passage from Matthew that is used on the Solemnity of St. Francis, “what you have hidden from the wise and the learned, you have revealed to the little ones.” (Matthew 11:25) My work within The Franciscan School provided me with a greater understanding of the purpose of learning and humble grasp of way Franciscan learning is a mutual experience of discovery and reflection.
Br. James Lockman, OFM, is also an ecologist, continuing the centuries-old focus on God's creation in his work. Friars often find themselves learning and teaching in their ministries. (Photo courtesy of Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Listening across generations
Through Franciscan life, jubilarians learned the importance of listening to both the friars that came before them and the generations that followed. When they created space for honest dialogue, they found themselves as both teachers and students, discovering that dreams for the future are strongest when they are shared with brothers.
Gino Correa, OFM, 50 years of ordination
I enjoy sharing with younger friars and those who are presently discerning a Franciscan call. It is important that one enjoys making a connection by listening attentively and speaking heartfully and truthfully. It is important to help create a space wherein true dialogue and sharing can take place. It is important to check and eliminate any tendency to debate, argue or judge. As a senior friar, I have found it important to acknowledge that I have been taught, inspired and motivated by the dreams and visions that the younger generation is willing to share with me. As a young friar, I had the wonderful experience of men much older and more experienced than myself inviting me to share my ideas and inviting me to take the lead in implementing them. One senior friar, who was my mentor, said, “I never heard of it done that way, but, hey, your idea sounds exciting. Let’s give it a try!” It was a moment when I felt blessed, and it was a moment where I was enabled to thank him for the way he inspired and challenged me.
What I would like to share with my younger brothers is how important it is to both bless and give thanks. Bless the dreams, desires and visions they hold and that others share with them. Always help create that space where we can freely speak of what is deep in our hearts without having to defend or feel shame. To give thanks for both, being able to entrust and be entrusted with such personal and vulnerable parts of who we are. To be able to dialogue fraternally in a way that helps to clarify, sharpen and enflesh those deep yearnings. To give thanks for the way those who have gone before us have dared to dream and enflesh those dreams and thus lay the foundation for our continued journey to God's Kingdom. May we never forget how to bless and give thanks!
Greg Friedman, OFM, 50 years of ordination
As we hear from the Prophet Joel, “your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” As one who has served as a priest for 50 years, I hope that I still have dreams to share – dreams about the Church as it is still embracing the challenge of Vatican II and responding to the signs of the times. I want to learn from the visions of the young, while sharing my dreams!
Could God be calling you?
The jubilarians’ lived experience reveals a common truth: Vocation isn’t about knowing all the answers. But it starts with the willingness to step in and trust where God leads.
Learn more about becoming a friar today.