Simply... professed!

At the same time the friars were welcoming our new brother novices this past Fourth of July holiday, we also celebrated with four young (okay, young-ish) men who have just completed their novitiate year. The quartet—three from our province of St. Barbara, and a fourth from our sister province of Our Lady of Guadalupe-- made their first, or simple profession of vows. At a Eucharistic liturgy celebrated on the morning of July 4, the new friars made their public profession in the presence of Bishop Richard Garcia of the Diocese of Monterey, California, and before provincial ministers Melvin Jurisich (St. Barbara Province) and Larry Dunham (Our Lady of Guadalupe province.



More than 200 friars, family members, and friends attended the liturgy held in the chapel of the St. Francis Retreat Center, San Juan Bautista, California—including an extraordinary turnout of some 50 friars from the province of St. Barbara. Novice master Brother Regan Chapman was on hand; Friar Ponchie Vasquez served as master of ceremonies.



The newly professed are Friars Eric Pilarcik, Joseph Sury, Robert Valentine and Christopher Kerstiens. Their “simple” or temporary profession represents a public commitment to observe the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience during a period of one year. These vows, then, are renewed annually for a minimum of three years before the man is eligible to make solemn (or lifetime) profession as a full member of the Order. There is tremendous wisdom in this step-by-step process. Although the wait for solemn profession may seem frustrating and even interminable at times, it nevertheless allows both the candidate and the community to continue the process of mutual discernment. After all, the ultimate commitment is ostensibly for one’s lifetime, so thoroughgoing reflection is essential.





Friar Eric Pilarcik, 41, was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, and received his BA degree from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, before moving to southern California. Prior to entering the Franciscans, Eric worked in real estate in both Michigan and California. Most recently, he worked as a location scout for tv and film companies in the LA area. Upon the profession of simple vows, Eric has been assigned to St. Elizabeth Friary, Oakland, California, and will begin studies toward the M.Div. (Master of Divinity) degree at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley.



“The past year was difficult to begin with-- adusting to things-- being in the middle of nowhere in a hyper-remote area and getting used to the community of friars at San Miguel. (The novitiate is located at the Old Mission in San Miguel, California.—ed.) The program was intense, but it ended up being just excellent. It was never what I expected. I learned to see God in so many things-- by stopping and noticing God throughout my life: in the past, in the present, in others, and in myself.



“I feel very happy to have been accepted by the friars. Entering later in life-- with past careers-- I worried about where I would start, how I would fit in. But I learned that it was just perfect. I would not have been ready one day sooner. I was amazed. Things fell right into place. I look forward to the next year-- to classes, to exploring things, and to having the opportunity to learn more about theology. And I am looking forward to the St. Elizabeth community. And to leaving the door open to new discoveries.”


Friar Joseph (Joe) Sury, 38, is a native Demotte, Indiana, and moved to the Phoenix, Arizona area with his parents while he was still in high school. Joe worked as an accountant before joining the friars. Upon the profession of simple vows, he has been assigned to St. Elizabeth Friary, Oakland, California. Like his classmate, Eric, he will be studying for the M.Div. degree at the Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley.



“I have a deeper awareness today of my life than I did prior to entering the Franciscans. I've had the gift of a year to reflect-- not only for today-- but for the rest of my life. I've been able to see the moments where hod has been in my life.
I have grown in self-esteem and confidence. I've been able to do things I felt afraid to do in the past. I've been able to grow in community w/ the friars already at Old Mission San Miguel as well as with my classmates. I'm beginning to realize the special bond we've had and will have for the rest of our lives. And.... I am looking forward to pasing the dishrag on to the incoming novices!”



Friar Robert J (Bob) Valentine, 52, was born in Dearborn, Michigan, and brought up in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Bob studied Regina Cleri seminary high school in Tucson, Arizona. Bob subsequently entered our formation program first in 1975. After nearly eight years with the Franciscans, Bob left for more than twenty years, during which time he completed his training as a physician assistant at the University of California, Davis. Prior to his most recent entry into postulancy, Bob worked as emergency room coordinator for hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area. Upon the profession of simple vows, he has been assigned to St. Boniface Friary in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. He will be working as physician assistant for hospitals in the Berkeley/ Oakland area.



“It has been most important for me to see myself as loved-- to understand that I am loved and loveable. I've come to understand that my 'loveability' has absolutely nothing to do with with what I do, but who I am, and Who created me. It is very much a manifestation of the Incarnation. My life as a friar will be about living that life-- not about doing 'the work'. I have learned that my weaknesses and failures are also my gratest strengths. And the greatest gift I have to offer my community . Because of my weaknesses I am now more fully human.”

Friar Christopher (Chris) Kerstiens is a native of Torrance, California, and is a member of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, with headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. Upon his first profession, he will be assigned to the formation community in San Antonio and will begin studies at the OMI (Order of Mary Immaculate) School of Theology in that city.



“I have learned so much about myself and about the friars during my novitiate year. But now, I’m ready for the next step in my formation and am really looking forward to starting studies.”

Congratulations, Brothers! Now, get to work!

Investiture: Our New Novices Receive the Habit

This Fourth of July holiday, the friars of the Province of Saint Barbara had two very special celebrations. The first, held at the time of community evening prayer (5:15pm) on July 3, marked the “investiture” or formal reception of the Franciscan habit by our three incoming novices: Eric Burke, Javier Diaz, and Victor Vega. The event was attended by approximately 75 friars, family members, and friends at the chapel of the St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, California (about 100 miles south of the San Francisco Bay area.



The investiture is quite a moving ceremony in which the newly received members of the community symbolically “shed” their former identity in the world and begin their new life as religious. Father Mel Jurisich ofm, our minister provincial, and Brother Regan Chapman, ofm, the novice master formally received the new novices by literally “clothing” them in the characteristic brown robe, capuche (hood), and cord belt of the Order of Friars Minor. The version of the habit presently worn by the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) actually dates from modifications made in 1894 and is reminiscent of the garb of laborers in 13th century Italy, the time of St. Francis of Assisi.



In decades past, candidates would enter the sanctuary formally dressed in suit and tie. At the moment of receiving the habit, their jackets would be removed and exuberantly thrown onto the sanctuary floor—much to the delight of most of the friars-- and to the consternation of some of the mothers. We’ve really toned things down a bit since that day.



By taking on the habit, the new brothers publicly declare their intention to live the life of the Friars Minor “in poverty, chastity, and with nothing of their own” for the requisite probationary year. Much of that year will be spent learning the significance of the trio of vows Franciscans take: poverty, chastity, and obedience. In addition, our new brothers will spend time learning more about Franciscan spirituality, deepening their prayer life, developing community living skills, engaging in limited ministry and manual labor, and growing in their identity as Franciscan friars. Upon the conclusion of their successful novitiate year, the men will make their first, or “simple” profession, renewed annually for a minimum of three years.

So, meet our new novices, and read what they have to say about their hopes and expectations for this important new stage of their commitment to religious life. Keep in mind that each of these men has already completed a rigorous trial or “postulancy” program—in this case, a nine-month residency in Portland, Oregon, under the direction of Brother Robert Rodrigues, along with the help of Father John dePaemelaere.



Brother Eric Burke, 27, was born at Jemez Pueblo, Jemez, New Mexico, and brought up in the Chino Hills area of southern California. Eric holds a BA in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton, and was involved in full-time parish work as a youth minister at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Chino Hills before entering our postulancy program in September, 2007.



“The more I think over how I got to this moment, the more I realize the grace of God in my life. This postulancy year leaves me feeling excited and overwhelmed at the same time. So, we'll see what comes of it.”

Brother Javier Diaz, 24, was born in Santa Ana, California, and brought up in Corona. He received a BS degree in Business from the University of California, Riverside, and worked in retail sales at a Smart & Final outlet before joining our postulancy program.



“The postulancy year has been extremely exciting. I am open to the seeing what the coming year will be. I am praying that I can grow in the spiritual life and in community with the brothers I will be entering with as well as the brothers already there. I will be learning to balance my life with the friars along with my life with family and friends."

Brother Victor M. Vega Solorio, 33, is a native of Michoacán, Mexico. After immigrating to the United States, he lived in the Salinas, California area where he was an agricultural laborer before entering our postulancy program. Previously, Victor successfully completed the ACE (Accelerated College English) program at Mount Angel (Oregon) Seminary while in residence at our House of Welcome & Discernment/ Casa de Bienvenida y Discernimiento in Portland, Oregon:



"I feel very happy to come to novitiate. I feel excited about religious life, about Franciscan life. Now that I am receiving the habit I feel more part of the Franciscans and part of Franciscan spirituality and style of life. I hope I can continue to grow in my relationship with God, grow as a human being, and grow in a community with other novices and friars. I want to continue discerning my vocation, preparing myself for the next step."

Welcome, Brothers! Felicidades! Congratulations and good luck! Our prayers are with you.//

Blessed Junipero Serra, ofm (1713-84)

July 1. On this day in the year 1769, Fray Junipero Serra, ofm, arrived at the port of what is now the city of San Diego. Later that month, he established the first of what was eventually to become a veritablel rosary of twenty-one missions extending a distance of 700 miles along the length of the Spanish colony which is now the state of California. By virtue of his passion, leadership, and tenacity, Serra played a seminal role in the establishment of the Catholic faith, as well as European presence and culture in this part of the world.

It is in recognition of this dual role, that Junipero Serra is regarded as a pivotal figure in both religious and secular arenas. As the late Pope John Paul II stated on his visit to Serra’s burial place at Carmel Mission (Mission San Carlos Borromeo) in 1987, “Very often at crucial moments in human affairs God raises up men and women whom he thrusts into roles of decisive importance for the future development of both society and the Church…. So it is with Junipero Serra, who in the providence of God was destined to be the apostle of California and to have a permanent influence over the spiritual patrimony of the land and its people.” The following year, 1988, Serra was beatified, or declared ‘blessed’, a stage in the canonization of saints in the Roman Catholic Church.



It is as a man of faith, ardent missionary, and witness to the Gospel that Junipero Serra is respected among Catholic Christians today as the virtual ‘apostle of California.’ At the same time, his life and work have become a flashpoint in the controversy over the role of missionaries in the context of colonial conquest and oppression.


Blessed Junipero Serra

In terms of a brief biographical sketch, Miguel José Serra was born on the island of Mallorca, Spain, in 1713 and entered the Franicscan order at the age of seventeen, taking the name of ‘Junípero’, in honor of one of the first companions of St. Francis. He studied at the Lullian University in the city of Parma (Mallorca) and subsequently taught philosophy and theology there for some twelve years. In 1749, at the age of 37, Serra was sent to Mexico, and for an additional 15 years, was associated with the College of San Fernando in Mexico City. Consequently, it was late in life (at age 54) and only after a long academic career that Serra actually became an active missionary.



In 1768, upon the expulsion of Jesuit missionaries from New Spain, Serra was given leadership as presidente over the fourteen missions of Baja (Lower) California. In 1769, after founding the mission of Santa Maria de los Angeles, Serra focused his energies on Alta (Upper) California—a region the Spaniards were eager to secure for the Crown in the face of threatened expansion by both Russian and British interests. It is here, we are told, that Serra worked tirelessly for the conversion of indigenous peoples to Christianity. Eventually, he would found a total of nine missions in California. Biographers are quick to point out, not only Serra’s exceptional gifts of organization and administration, but also his extraordinary faith, perseverance, and asceticism: “His Herculean efforts subjected him to near-starvation, afflictions of scurvy, and hundreds of miles of walking and horse riding through dangerous terrain. Moreover, he was notorious for his mortifications of the flesh.” Serra accomplished much of his work on foot; a chronically ulcerated leg provided an additional physical challenge to the intrepid missioner. He died at Mission San Carlos Borromeo (Carmel), California in 1784.

In our own time, Serra, and by extension, missionaries in general have been criticized for their alleged cooperation and complicity in the extension of colonial rule over native peoples. Nevertheless, most historians would concur in the intrinsic danger posed by projecting our twenty-first century values and understanding upon the vastly different social and cultural landscape of 18th century colonial rule in America. That said, the biography of Junipero Serra speaks of a man who was frequently at odds with the political and military" powers that be" in his active defense of the rights of of natives. While the entire system of colonization is rightly challenged, Serra was no mere pawn of that system; he was known to be a frequent and outspoken critic of the abuse of political and military power.


In today’s world, missionary presence and witness have taken on an entirely different aspect from the time of Junipero Serra. While the proclamation of the Gospel remains central and consistent to all missionary endeavors, the voice of the Christian church has in many circumstances become increasingly independent of and even critical of political and economic power when such power deprives people of basic dignity and justice. We are not called to imitate Serra’s way of being a missionary; we are challenged to be inspired as he was to be more deeply committed to living and sharing our Christian faith with our entire being.


We Franciscans take pride in the faith and witness of Blessed Junipero Serra. Here in the province of St. Barbara, we take special pride in the several restored missions that have been entrusted to our care: Mission Santa Barbara, Old Mission San Luis Rey (Oceanside), and Mission San Miguel (San Miguel). A fourth mission, Santa Inez, is in the care of our Capuchin Franciscan brothers. We join with our Mexican conferes of the Province of Blessed Juipero Serra/ la provincia de Beato Junipero Serra, in Baja California, Mexico, in celebrating their patronal feast. http://www.ofmjuniperoserra.org/modules/news/.
We are also deeply appreciative of the efforts of Serra International, an organization of Catholic women and men who dedicate themselves to the promotion and support of vocations to religious life, the diaconate, and priesthood in the Church: http://www.serra.org/. Together, all of us continue in our commitment to live and share the Gospel, inspired by the words of Serra himself: Siempre adelante! Nunca para atrás! Always forward! Never turn back!//

Happy Summer Vocation!

Dear Friends,
Peace and all good! I will be away on vacation until July 7 and will resume blog entries again after that date. In the meantime, I hope you will find this short reflection piece helpful. It first appeared in The Way of St. Francis magazine, a wonderful little bimonthly published by the Franciscan Friars, Province of St. Barbara. Check it out on our website: www.sbfranciscans.org. Or consider subscribing (only $15/yr for six issues and an excellent resource for information on Franciscan life and spirituality!): ofmcadev@att.net for subscription information. Happy Summer Vocation (and the rest of the year as well)!--Fr. Chuck

Discernment is a Verb

What should I do with my life? What is God asking of me? How can I be sure I’m not making a horrendous mistake?

My office phone will ring. A slight hesitation on the other end of the line, and then a quiet voices asks, “Is this the Franciscans?” “Well, yes, how can I help you?” “Well, I’m thinking of becoming one of you.” “Okaaaaay”. Then, we’re off and running.

I’m a vocations coordinator. My job is to help men (21-45, Roman Catholic, single) to know about the Franciscans and themselves, and whether or not God may be leading them to our religious community. During the course of a calendar year, I will personally speak to about 400 inquirers— just a little more than one a day. They may write or phone, or catch me after Mass. Increasingly these days, they’ll check out our website (www.sbfranciscans.org) or our vocations blog (http://friarsidechats.blogspot.com) and then dash off an email. In reality, though, only about one out of every hundred men who contact us will enter our community. So what about the other 99? Are they just chopped liver?

My work experience confirms my deep conviction that God is calling all of us. That everyone has a vocation—to know, love and serve God in this life and to be with God in the next-- as my childhood catechism put it so succinctly. Only a very few people will come to religious life, but the search is the same for us all. “How can I know what God is asking of me?” I don’t have the answers, but I can suggest a process that might help:

Pray. A lot. And on a regular basis. Make a daily appointment to spend time with God—and then keep it. Our Catholic tradition is a treasure trove of spirituality, so find a prayer style that suits you (lectio divina, centering prayer, etc.). And make Eucharist the center of your prayer week.

Shop around. I tell people. Look, the first thing you need to do is to look around. Pretend that you are planning an exotic vacation. Get as many ‘travel brochures’ as you can. Don’t worry about making a decision yet; just dream for once!

Share your secret. Preferably with someone you trust. The people who know us often know us a whole lot better than we suspect. They can give us very good feedback very fast. They know our personalities as well as many (but not all) of our talents, dreams, strengths and weaknesses. When I announced to my family that I wanted to become a Franciscan and a priest, I was shocked. Nobody even blinked. My sisters said, “Oh we knew that all along about you. But we didn’t say anything because we figured you needed to work that out for yourself.” Gee, thanks.

Get some help. Good help. We call this spiritual direction. Advice and accompaniment from someone (a priest, a religious sister or brother, a layperson) who has received specific training in this ministry. It is not a good idea to approach a busy pastor. Or someone who has no knowledge of ministry. The spiritual director will meet with you on a regular basis to listen deeply—very deeply—to what you have to say about yourself, your prayer life, your images and understanding of God, and so on. They won’t tell you what you should do. But they will tell you what you are saying about yourself. And what you keep saying consistently over time. Journaling is an important adjunct to this activity.

Get your hands dirty. If you’re thinking about working with the poor, for example, stop thinking about it. Get out there and work with them. So connect with an organization, preferably a church-based one, that needs volunteers and go for it.

Join a club. Only make sure you are an active member. Community is not for bystanders. Your parish is the perfect place to start.

Jump in! If you don’t put your body where you think your mind and heart ought to be, you’ll never know what God is asking or inviting you to do. Break down your decision into manageable parts… and then take that first step.

When we do these things-- gather information, share our secrets, find some help, get our hands dirty, and jump in-- we cannot fail to learn a great deal about who we are and how God may be calling us.

I repeat. Each of us has a vocation. We are all on a spiritual journey. But when we do the footwork, we cannot fail to grow spiritually and become more confident and secure in our decisions. So, if you haven’t done so already, turn your own discernment into a verb and see what unfolds.

Chapter & Verse

First, the Chapter.
The term “chapter”, with regard to religious communities, usually refers to a kind of formal meeting on either a local, regional, or even international level. It also refers to the actual physical space where men and women religious take care of the business of the community. Monasteries, both today as well as in medieval times, typically included a separate room or structure called a “chapter house” for this purpose.

The Rule of the Friars Minor (1209, rev1223) makes mention of and provision for the general Chapter event referred to as the “Chapter of Pentecost”, which was, typically, to be held every three years. Here, the assembled friars traditionally attended to such practicalities as the election of leadership and the commissioning of brothers to various ministries. Historically, there has even been provision for public admonition and correction of errant confreres—hence, the term “chapter of faults”, which in time became incorporated into the weekly practice of local communities (although, thankfully, not at present).

One particularly significant chapter held in Assisi during the lifetime of St. Francis himself was the celebrated “Chapter of Mats” (1219), attended by nearly 5,000 friars housed mostly in makeshift wattle huts (and, most likely mats as well) for the occasion. Today, chapters are held on the level of the local fraternity (“house chapters”), the province (‘provincial chapter’) and internationally for the entire Orsder ("General Chapter"). In addition, even in our own times friars may decide to convene a special “chapter of mats”, which typically will focus on the quality of our spiritual and fraternal life.

We Franciscan friars of the Province of Saint Barbara will be holding our own triennial meeting soon. Chapter 2009, as we call it, will be held at Old Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, California (January 4-9). This will be for us a very special event, since it will also mark the 800th anniversary of the Rule of St. Francis, approved by Pope Innocent III. And as part of our celebration, the Minister General of the Franciscan Order (OFM), Friar José Rodríguez Carballo ofm, will be in attendance. So will our own Fr. John Vaughn, former provincial minister and ex-Minister General of the Order himself.

The Chapter is a big deal for us friars, especially as we prepare to elect our provincial leadership. Our present provincial minister, Fr. Mel Jurisich, will be stepping down after his six-year term, so we will be selecting his successor as well as a new vicar (or ‘vice’) provincial and a group of six consulters known as "definitors". Their selection is no small matter for us. The provincial minister and his administration set the tone and leadership style for the province. While it would be unseemly for friars to jockey openly for position, there is a certain amount of discrete buzz about prospective candidates. And we hold a number of straw ballots in advance to get an idea of the leading contenders.

Since the early 1990’s, the friars of our province have held what is known as an ‘open’ chapter. This is an innovation in the wake of the reforms of Vatican II which provides for the presence and participation of all solemnly professed friars, each of whom has both a voice and a vote in the proceedings.

So what’s on the menu for Chapter 2009 besides the elections? For one thing, we will be receiving an important report from our Visitor General—a friar from outside our province approved by our Minister General in Rome. The Visitor has the responsibility of visiting every friar and friary in the province in advance of the chapter to assess the state of our spiritual health and well-being. He gives his evaluation to each fraternity (or house) as he visits throughout the province. At the conclusion of his tour (which typically can take up to six months!), he reports to the Chapter about the state of the province at large. And his report carries a lot of weight—we are bound to consider his conclusions and recommendations. In other words, if we need to get our act together about something, he’ll certainly let us know.

In addition to the report by the Visitor General (this time it will be Friar Peter Williams, from the UK) and elections, we will consider a number of items pertinent to our common life. So far, Chapter 2009 will consider such matters as the care of our senior friars, our Plan for Gospel living (with recommendations for ministry and fraternal life), our commitment to greater collaboration with the laity, the need for long-range financial planning, and the complex issue of US immigration policy and its impact on our community.

It’s a lot of stuff to deal with, and various committees are working now to refine proposals and vet them thoroughly before the Chapter event. Just this week, for example, a number of our Latino friars have been meeting to consider the particular needs for Hispanic friars and ministries at their annual “convocatorio hispano.” (see photo above)

The Chapter, of course, can never be a purely business meeting. Of necessity, it is grounded in the experience our common prayer life and ministry. Liturgies throughout the week—morning and evening prayer, Eucharist, a service for the Commemoration of our deceased brothers, etc.—all serve to remind us that our lives are under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There is also important time for 'fraternizing', and some special concerts are being prepared as part of the celebrations for our 8th centenary.

Now for the verse.
The theme for Chapter 2009 – “Siempre adelante (nunca para atras)/ “Always go forward, never turn back”—is inspired directly by Beato / Blessed Juniper Serra, ofm (1713-1784), founder of the first Franciscan missions in California. It certainly reflects our attitude and spirit. Even after 800 years of ministry, we can’t afford to sit on our laurels. Siempre adelante!

June 13: Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, ofm

After Francis and Clare of Assisi themselves, there is probably no Franciscan saint who is more loved and revered than Anthony of Padua. As Robert Ellsberg writes in his wonderful collection of meditations, All Saints, Anthony’s abiding popularity—since the 13th century—has had “less to do with the memory of his spellbinding preaching than with his posthumous career as a miracle worker.” Most especially, Anthony seems to have excelled in the lost and found department: “Tony, Tony, look around! Something’s lost and can’t be found!” I, for one, have had to turn to him more than once, let me tell you.

But the real story of Anthony of Padua (actually, Anthony of Lisbon) is much richer than the popular legends associated with him. Most biographers agree on the essential outline of his life and career: Anthony was born to a wealthy family in Portugal in 1195, and entered into the Augustinian order at Coimbra. He became interested in the, then still-novel, Franciscan movement, and actually ecountered the first group of friar-missionaries on their way to preach the Gospel in Morocco (circa 1219). These five men, the so-called protomartyrs of the Order, will killed shortly after their arrival in North Africa. Shortly afterwards, Anthony witnessed the return of their remains to Europe, an event which left a lasting impression on him.

Deeply moved and inspired by the example of these first Franciscan missionaries, Anthony himself received the friars’ habit and set off to Morocco, only to fall sick soon after his arrival. Upon his attempted return trip to Portugal, his storm-tossed ship landed, instead, on the coast of Sicily. From Messina, Anthony made his way to Assisi, and was eventuallyput to work in the kitchen of a rural hospice run by the friars.



History and tradition tell us that one day, on the occasion of an ordination, Anthony was called, at the last minute, to preach the homily. He astonished the congregation with his eloquence and with the depth of his understanding of Scripture. As his reputation spread, Anthony was asked to take on the role of itinerant preacher. His commission (or “obedience”) was from St. Francis himself: “Brother Francis sends greetings to Brother Anthony, my Bishop. I am pleased that you teach sacred theology to the brothers providing that, as is contained in the Rule, you ‘do not extinguish the Spirit of prayer and devotion’ during study of this kind.”

For ourselves as friars, this brief admonition of Francis to Anthony is of no small importance. It states, or rather nearly understates, the proper role of intellectual development in our lives: that the ‘head’ should not totally eclipse the ‘heart’ in our pursuit of the truth. It has put the friars in good stead over the centuries. Our intellectual tradition has blossomed, and even today, the friars promote scholarly endeavors—but, again, not at the expense of our essential, spiritual commitment.

Anthony died young—he was only 36 years old. He may well have been exhausted by his travel and labors. His remains were buried in Padua (hence, the purloined title), which to this day continues as an important pilgrimage site.



People continue to revere the memory of St. Anthony of Padua and his statue is a common site in Catholic churches around the world. And he still has many friends and admirers. I know, I am one of them. Even as a kid I liked St. Anthony. He never seemed stuffy, remote, or inaccessible, but rather seemed to mirror (at least in my imagination) something of the warmth and gentleness of Jesus himself. Ellsberg quotes from the writings of Anthony himself in this regard:

“O Sweet Jesus, what is there sweeter than Thee? Sweet is Thy memory, sweeter than that of honey or any other object. Thy very name is a Name of sweetness, a Name of Salvation. For what does the name Jesus signify, if not Savior? Therefore good Jesus, for Thy own sake be to us a Jesus.”

It’s kind of amazing, isn’t it, that a seemingly obscure figure from the thirteenth century should still have such a hold on people’s spiritual imagination. But, there you go.

Postscript: Personally, I find most film biographies of the saints to be rather unappealing—sentimental, pious, and lacking in credibility. Nevetheless, I can recommend a dvd/video about St. Anthony which really tells a believable tale and does it well. Anthony: The Miracle Worker of Padua (2005, 95 minutes, color), directed by Umberto Marino, is a recent Italian production (with English/Spanish subtitles) which provides a realistic portrayal of Anthony as a human being who struggled throughout his life with questions of faith and commitment. It is available through a number of sources, including Ignatius Press (www.ignatius.com). Enjoy!

Felicidades, Padre Raul! Keep Going, Brother!

Congratulations to our brother, Raul Alejos Montelongo, on his priestly ordination Thursday, June 5, at Old Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, California. Retired auxiliary Bishop Gilberto E. Chaves, D.D., of the Diocese of San Diego, presided over the evening liturgy attended by scores of Franciscan friars and more than 1,000 parish members. Following the ordination Mass, members of the parish gave a wonderful fiesta, with great Mexican food and music.

It’s been a long road for our brother, Raul, and so this celebration is especially sweet for him, his family, and for the friars, and for myself personally. Raul and I are classmates—I was ordained a priest in 1999, and the third remaining member of our class, Father Alberto Villafan, was ordained in 2005. But all three of us entered the Franciscan postulancy program together in Portland, Oregon, in September, 1993. Prior to that, Raul and Alberto had spent time studying English at what was then our ESL house, Casa San Felipe de Jesus, in Los Angeles. The rest is history—and proof of God’s grace and Raul’s own persistent and intrepid spirit.

Our brother Raul was born in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and emigrated to the United States with his family as a child. As a youth and young man, he labored in the fields near Santa Paula, California, and was quite active in his local parish for several years before entering the Franciscans. A talented singer/ musician and an excellent public speaker possessed of natural charisma, Raul has retained a love of both music and youth ministry throughout his life as a friar. Now that he is ordained as a priest, he will be putting some of those talents to work at the parish at Old Mission San Luis Rey, where he has been assigned as parochial vicar (i.e., associate pastor.


We Franciscans like to point out that every man who comes to us has not one, but two vocations. His first vocation—one that all of the friars share—is to be a brother to his brothers and to all of God’s People following the example of our Brother Jesus and inspired in a special way by Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. The second calling is particular to each individual: some men are called to ordained ministry; others, are called to be lay brothers. In the past, rigid distinction (and sometimes very real and painful discrimination) was made between the ‘status’ of lay brother and that of the ‘cleric’ or ordained friar, both within the community and in the context of public ministry. Basically, the clerics/ ordained friars got a lot of perks; the lay brother got a lot of work, but not always a lot of credit or affirmation. Things have changed greatly both within the community and within our ministries, but some distinctions still remain.

Friar Raul’s path to priesthood, in the Franciscan context, then, has never been separate from his formation as a ‘brother for others’ within the tradition of our Order. In fact, the first three years of his formation (along with Alberto, myself, and our confreres at the time) were entirely dedicated formation in fraternal life—in other words, learning to live with each other in community. The first year, or postulancy, consisted of nine months of residential discernment in a kind of halfway house environment in Portland, Oregon. We took outside, part-time jobs, but ‘inside’ we worked on community building skills: common prayer and Eucharist, faith sharing, classes in Catholic teachings and Franciscan ideals, and even a communications course to show us how to negotiate the tensions of daily living.

The second year, or novitiate, was dedicated to cultivating the interior life—to growing in our relationship with Jesus through prayer, study, and contemplation. Throw in some manual labor, classes in Franciscan spirituality and life, and voila!—friars in the making. The start of the novitiate, with the reception of the habit, is a very special and unforgettable moment in every friar’s life.

In the case of our class, the third year of fraternal formation involved our living and working together in Mesquital-- a struggling barrio in the center of Guatemala City, Guatemala. I learned to speak Spanish, while—ironically—Raul and our other Hispanic classmates continued to take classes in English! Together, we learned to minister and to be ministered to by the Christ in our presence—in and through the wonderful example and hospitality of our friends, neighbors, and parishioners in Mesquital.

After the third year of formation, our class broke up and we parted ways. Alberto and Raul began studies—first at a junior college in Oakland, California, and then at Holy Names University in the same city. Since I had already received a bachelor’s degree, I moved into theological studies immediately. Once my brothers had completed their own undergraduate work (Raul majored in psychology), they, too, began studies for their M.Div., or Masters of Divinity degree at our Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California.

So, let’s do the math: 2 years of ESL training + 3 years of initial formation + 4 years of college + 4 years of theology + 1 year of diaconate equals one heck of a lot of years. In the case of a number of brothers, including Raul, you can throw in a couple of extra years for additional ministerial training (CPE—Clinical Pastoral Training, etc. ) prior to diaconate ordination.


Daunting? You betcha! Especially, if one looks at solemn profession and/or priestly ordination as the brass ring, the Grand Prize. And it’s difficult not to do so. But Franciscan life, and religious life in general, is about the long run—the marathon over the sprint. So each step of the way is part of a lifelong process of ‘being’ and ‘becoming’ a friar. I was ordained nine years before my brother Raul, but I don’t consider myself ahead of him in any way whatsoever. Regardless of the difference in years and formation, we are both on the same road, traveling together as brothers, led by our Brother Jesus.

So, again, “Felicidades!” to Father Raul! And “Sigamos adelante/ Keep going!”, Brother!