Wednesday, July 17, 2019: friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv. was invested in the Franciscan Friars Conventual habit along with four more friars from his Postulancy Class. He is pictured at right being vested by our minister provincial. After completing their initial year of formation, living in community in St. Bonaventure Friary (our Order’s North American InterProvincial Postulancy – Chicago,IL), these friars are now in the Novitiate stage of formation. They will spend this next stage living in community in St. Francis of Assisi Friary (our Order’s North American InterProvincial Novitiate – Arroyo Grande, CA). Already invested as novices this past November, friar Kyle Banks, OFM Conv. and friar Peter Flynn, OFM Conv. of our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody (Great Britain/Ireland) will continue their studies alongside these five Newly Invested Novices. Please keep all of our friars in formation in your continued prayers.
Congratulations to:
friar Michael Hintze, OFM Conv. ~ St. Bonaventure Province
friar Joshua Sherls, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of Consolation Province
friar Alexander Gould, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of Consolation Province
friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of the Angels Province
friar Roberto Macias-Marin, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of Consolation Province
As part of the celebrations, the three graduating Novices of our province were “Sent Forth” onto their continuing studies. The chapel was full as we vested the five new novices in the habit of our Order and sent forth friar Antonio Moualeu, OFM Conv. to further studies while living in community in San Damiano Friary (San Antonio, TX), as well as friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv. & friar Joseph Krondon, OFM Conv. to further studies while living in community in St. Bonaventure Friar (Silver Spring, MD). At left, they are pictured receiving their blue crosses and knotted cords (at right) from our Minister Provincial.
For more photos from the celebration, visit our Facebook page.
As these new friars have not yet professed their vows, you will notice their habits’ cords around their waists are not knotted. Upon their Simple Profession of Vows, the cords of their habits will hold three knots symbolizing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. On Monday ~ July 22, 2019, just few days after this Investiture and Sending Ceremony, these three friars will don their new knotted cords as they profess their Simple (Temporary) Vows during our Province Jubilee Mass; celebrating milestone years of Profession or Ordination. The Jubilee Mass with Simple Vow Profession will be held at our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD).