‘God is working miracles’: Eight friars profess solemn vows in Maryland

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit… remain in my love." (Jn 15:9, 16)

With Jesus' words resonating in their hearts, eight Franciscan friars professed solemn vows on Aug. 22, 2026, before more than 100 friars, family members and friends at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. The friars made lifelong commitments to live the Gospel as Friars Minor, embracing the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis.

"What a joyful day," said Minister Provincial Br. Michael Perry, OFM, as he welcomed the assembly. "We give praise to God for what God is doing in the lives of our brothers, in the lives of all the friars and beyond that, the life of the Church. God is here. God is present. God is working miracles."

Eight men called to one fraternity

Those miracles began with the seeds of faith planted by the Lord and nurtured by family, friends and friars throughout the brothers’ lives.

Br. Tyler Grudi, OFM, 30, of Hershey, Pennsylvania, encountered the friars at St. Bonaventure University and was inspired by their authenticity, their commitment to the poor and the example of St. Francis. He will begin studies for the priesthood in San Antonio.

Br. Kevin Hamzik, OFM, 29, of Cleveland, Ohio, attended Padua Franciscan High School and St. Bonaventure University. Drawn to the Franciscan ability to discover God in creation and in every person, he will serve as a curator at The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University.

Br. Domingo Martinez, OFM, 47, was born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Aiken, South Carolina. After working on political campaigns with the labor movement, he was drawn to the Franciscan charism through online research and personal encounters. He will continue theological studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Br. Phillip McCarter, OFM, 35, met the friars at a vocations retreat after encountering a friar during a devotion centered on the relics of Padre Pio. Inspired by their joy and brotherhood, he entered the postulancy in 2020 and will continue serving in the province's missions in Negril, Jamaica.

Br. Brian Menezes, OFM, 40, immigrated to Canada from Kuwait and worked in the financial sector before discerning religious life. The Franciscan charism gave him the peace and purpose he had been seeking. He will continue serving at St. Francis Seraph Ministries in Cincinnati.

Br. Joan "JP" Perez-Lombera, OFM, 38, met the friars through YouFra (Youth Franciscan) while growing up in San Jose, California. He was inspired by their simplicity, humility and closeness to those who are often forgotten or suffering. He will continue ministry at St. Anthony Foundation while studying nutrition at San Francisco State University.

Br. Carlos Portillo, OFM, 41, was born in El Salvador and later immigrated to the United States. While serving as director of food services for a senior living residence, he encountered the friars at St. Camillus Parish and was inspired by their fraternity and joyful spirit. He is pursuing studies to become a licensed practical nurse in Durham, North Carolina.

Br. Nathaniel Tran, OFM, 37, encountered the friars at Saints Simon and Jude Parish in Huntington Beach, California. Inspired by the conversion story of St. Francis, he has found fulfillment in missionary discipleship and ministry among people on the margins. He will continue serving at San Xavier del Bac Mission in Tucson, Arizona.

For the newly professed friars, solemn profession is the start of an exciting new chapter in their lives – one that offers a fresh start as they willingly dedicate themselves to a life of prayer, fraternity and service.

“Solemn vows feels like a new beginning,” said Br. Tyler. “I feel like I’m being given the opportunity to begin again with my brothers.” Br. Kevin shared his optimism. “I’m really excited for my future as a friar,” Br. Kevin said.“It feels like a homecoming, being part of this great fraternity and community. I’m excited to live with friars, meet new friars throughout the world and minister to God’s people in a greater way.”

For Br. Phillip, solemn profession brings not only a new beginning, but a deeper sense of freedom rooted in the vows themselves.

“Our three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience really give me the freedom to be my authentic self,” he said. “They free me from my own schemes and desires and allow me to be open to God’s will in my life. They help me become the person God created me to be.”

As he reflected on his formation journey, Br. JP shared that fraternity is one of the greatest gifts he has received.

“What I take away from these years of formation in my Franciscan life is the importance of fraternity, the importance of remaining united, because fraternity helps us grow as human beings in our relationship with ourselves and with others,” he said. “It also helps us grow as Christians and face the challenges that come our way.”

In his homily, Br. Michael reminded the candidates that “the vows you profess today will strengthen what God has already begun in you.”

Drawing on Jesus' invitation to "remain in my love" shared in the Gospel, Br. Michael shared that "It is not that God is in our hearts. The deeper truth is that we are in God's heart. And the only thing asked of us is to remain there — live on in my love — and to let that love flow through you to one another and to all whom God brings into your lives.

“St. Francis understood this,” he continued. “He called his companions brothers, and he washed their feet. He washed and kissed the leper’s wounds; he embraced the way of the poor and showed mercy without measure.”

Franciscan life will come with challenges, he acknowledged, but he encouraged the brothers to trust in God and rely on the people accompanying them. “Only a shared spiritual journey toward the mind and heart of Christ will carry you across a lifetime — one day, one week, one month, one year at a time together with your brothers and with the people of God who will love and support you through it all.”

Click here to read Br. Michael's homily in its entirety.

The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe thanks the family members, friends, fraternities and ministries who supported each of the newly professed throughout their lives and expresses gratitude for the people who organized and took part in the liturgy, including the Liturgy Committee led by Master of Ceremonies Br. Jim Sabak, OFM, Deacon Br. Henry Fulmer, OFM, the music ministry and staff of St. Camillus Church, and the Holy Name College fraternity.