Three men don the Franciscan habit for the first time
During an investiture service on Sept. 29, 2026 at Old Mission Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California, three novices joyfully received an iconic symbol of Franciscan life: the brown habit. This is a major milestone in their formation journey reflecting a sincere and growing desire to embrace life as a Franciscan friar.
Brothers Alex Barrientos, OFM, David Rodriguez, OFM, and Jason Stoodley, OFM, stood before their community and asked to be clothed in the habit in the hope that one day they may profess solemn vows to follow Jesus in the example of St. Francis of Assisi. They began their initial formation, or preparation, for solemn profession in the fall of 2025 and were received into the novitiate in July.
Br. David Rodriguez, OFM, smiles on the day of his investiture, the ceremony when novices receive the Franciscan habit. (Photo by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
A new way of being in the world
“The investiture is a symbolic rite that we have within the Order when a young man takes on the habit of St. Francis. What that leads to is hopefully a deeper conversion in the young man's life. It’s the idea of trying to put on a new man, a new person, a new way of being in the world,” said Br. Gene Pistacchio, OFM, director of novices for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The ceremony included prayers, hymns, readings from St. Francis and passages from the Gospel.
Provincial Councilor Br. Colin King, OFM, shared a reflection about this sacred moment in the lives of the novices and its meaning for all friars in the Order of Friars Minor. He emphasized that the habit represents eight centuries of God’s abiding presence, love and mercy, stretching back to the beginnings of the Franciscan movement.
“The habit symbolizes that as you go throughout your days wearing your habit, you are not just yourself. You're over 800 years of the brothers who have gone before you,” said Br. Colin.
While the simple habit is a sign of poverty and humility, Br. Colin encouraged the men to see beyond the surface and recognize the greater meaning.
“The simplicity of our habit isn't about not having things. It's about knowing that in all times, in all places, day and night, everywhere with anyone, that Jesus Christ is enough,” he said.
Brothers Jason Stoodley, OFM, David Rodriguez, OFM, and Alex Barrientos, OFM, are photographed shortly after receiving their habits on Sept. 29, 2026. (Photo by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM)
Excited, overjoyed, humbled
Br. David, 41, reflected on the significance of this step in his vocation.
“To receive the Franciscan habit is a mix of emotions. I'm excited. I'm overjoyed. I'm humbled,” said Br. David. “My experience in fraternity so far has been great. It's a lot of growth in myself and my spiritual life, a lot of growth in my relationship with my brothers, and just a better all-over sense of who I am.”
Br. Alex, 29, expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to share in the mission of the Franciscans.
“I've been anticipating this for a long time. It's exciting, and at the same time, I just feel ready. I feel happy that I received the habit and I will be going forward, living out the Gospel. So, I'm really grateful and blessed,” said Br. Alex.
Br. Jason, 41, celebrated this milestone with faith and fulfillment.
“Receiving this Franciscan habit was really meaningful to me as a symbol of the life that I'm taking on, that I've already begun, and a way of entering into it at a new and deeper level and a more public level,” said Br. Jason.
Br. Michael Reyes, OFM, presents Br. Jason Stoodley, OFM, a habit. The Franciscan habit is modeled after the simple tunic worn by St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Order of the Friars Minor. (Photo by Br. Paul Chelus, OFM)
Becoming who you are called to be
During the ceremony, the novices also received a cincture (or cord). While these rope belts commonly have three knots, novices wear an unknotted cord.
“The cord that you will wear for the rest of your novitiate here has no knots, since you have not yet bound yourself to God or to us through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience,” said Br. Michael Reyes, OFM, during the ceremony.
He blessed the habits and urged the novices to pray that they may follow God’s call to profess solemn vows as friars and dedicate their lives to the Franciscan witness.
“Pray to the Lord that he may grant you the wisdom to discern our way of life, to be joyful in living it faithfully, and as you prepare to knot your cord at profession, to become the human being and friar the Lord has called you to be,” said Br. Michael.