The friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province Vocations Office have been involved in a fair amount of travel these last few months. Br. Nick Romeo, OFM Conv. and Fr. Manny Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. have traveled together to several events for young people, and it’s been good to have the witness value of both a friar-brother and friar-priest on these occasions. They have also traveled separately, which has given them the opportunity to cover more ground.

While Br. Nick was participating in the 2023 Meeting with the New Ministers Provincial, Custodes and Secretaries, in Rome, Fr. Manny was in St. Louis, MO for SEEK23. It was good to be present among those college students! About 17,000 people were at this yearly event, and Fr. Manny was able to have some meaningful conversations about Franciscan life and history with young men and women. He told the young women that while they themselves couldn’t join us, they probably know someone who would make a good friar.

With FrancisCorps, and student friar Joe Krondon, OFM Conv., also present at this event, it was a great chance to direct college students to the idea of a year-long service experience, if that felt more approachable to them.

The days ahead are marked with even more travel, as we continue the conversation with a number of men in various stages of interest. Br. Nick will be at some vocation fairs, as well as offering reflections to high school guys on retreat. Fr. Manny will be making Lenten Mission visits to some of our ministries and preparing for a World Youth Day experience in Lisbon this August, with our friars in initial formation!

Keep us in prayer as we continue going out into the vineyard. Learn More about vocations with Franciscan Friars Conventual, at FranciscanVoice.org

Contact Br. Nick and Fr. Manny at vocations@olaprovince.org