As their Franciscan journey continues, Friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv., Friar Cristofer Fernández, OFM Conv., and Friar Joseph Krondon, OFM Conv., made their Solemn Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at St. Louis Catholic Church, Clarkesville, Md. Each friars’ request to make solemn vows was granted by Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., and the Definitory.  Before Friar Michael, they proclaimed their vows, “for the entire time of my life.”

“Our Lady of the Angels Province is so blessed to have Raad, Joe and Cristofer as full members of our Order,” said Friar Michael, who celebrated the Mass. “All three come from different backgrounds and experiences yet they are able to live together as brothers in fraternity. In a world that is so divided, the Franciscan Friars, and these three in particular, try to be a witness that living together, even with many differences, is possible. The love of Jesus Christ, and the example of Saint Francis unites us in a bond of fraternal love and charity.”

More than 60 friars joined the celebration, including Friar Bishop Michael T. Martin, bishop of Charlotte. Several members of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi from Holyoke, Mass. also attended. Friars Eshoo, Fernández, and Krondon completed their Solemn Vows Retreat in Holyoke. They decided that since Friar Raad is not allowed to travel due to visa issues, they would forgo their retreat in Assisi in order to prepare for vows together in Massachusetts.

A native of Mosul, Iraq, Friar Radd said solemn vows, “Embody a profound commitment that resonates deeply within me. They represent promises made with unwavering sincerity and conviction, binding me to a path of integrity and purpose. Each vow is a testament to my values and aspirations, a declaration of dedication to a cause or relationship with immense significance.”

The son of Honduran and Salvadoran immigrants, Friar Cristofer said making solemn profession, “Reaffirms and binds the commitment I made at first profession of vows as a Franciscan friar. Through these vows and with all my imperfections, I consent to God remaking me in the invitation to a transfigured existence, that is religious life, so that through me God might christify the world!”

Friar Joe, who grew up in Baltimore, Md., not far from where Our Lady of the Angels Province is headquartered, said, “Solemn Profession is my saying, ‘Yes’ to being further conformed to Christ Crucified in the footsteps of Holy Father Francis, and that “Yes” being received by the Brothers who have helped form me into the man I am today. Solemn Vows for me is an outpouring of gratitude to a Community I can only hope to give back a portion of what I have received.”

Meet the Friars

Birthplace
Mosul, Iraq

Parents
Eshoo Shamoon, Maria Yousef

Siblings
Juliet, Zabet, Bushra, Ikhlas, Mervat, Waad

Current Assignment
Taught at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Md. During his fraternal apostolic year.

Assignments since joining Our Lady of the Angels Province
His main assignment is finishing his studies at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.

Home Diocese
Diocese of Saskatoon, Canada

Education
B.A. Theology and Religious Studies, Catholic University of America, 2023

Birthplace
Alexandria, Virginia

Parents
Maybelis and Manuel Fernández

Siblings
 Alessandro, Amanda, Eric

Current Assignment
Franciscan Northside Ministries, Syracuse, N.Y.

Assignments since joining Our Lady of the Angels province
Summer Assignments
St. Anne-Pacelli Outreach Center/St. Benedict the Moor Soup Kitchen/Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Columbus, Ga. (2021)
St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park, N.J. (2022)

Other Volunteering/Ministry during Formation
Volunteer, St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen, Chicago, IL (2018-19)
Elementary School Tutor, St. Thomas Canterbury School, Chicago, Ill.
Activities Volunteer, St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, Palatine, Ill.
Volunteer, Little Portion Farm, Ellicott City, Md. 2019-22)
Spiritual Care Volunteer, Volunteer Services, Marian Regional Medical Center, Dignity Health, Santa Maria, Calif. (2019-20)
Spiritual Counselor Volunteer-Chaplain, Adult Jail Services, San Luis Obispo County Jail, Restorative Partners LLC, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Catholic Climate Justice Coalition (Semester) Intern, Catholic Climate Covenant, Washington, D.C., (Fall 2021)
Circle Facilitator and Graduate Student Liaison, Solidarity Circles Program & CCE Events, Center for Cultural
Engagement, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (Spring Semester 2022)
Ministerial Assistant, Parroquia Inmaculada Concepcion, Jose Leon Suarez, Buenos Aires, Ariz., (Spring 2023)

Fraternal-Apostolic Year
Most Holy Trinity Friary, Brooklyn, N.Y., (2023-24)
Pastoral Intern, Most Holy Trinity-St. Mary Parish, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Friar Intern, Franciscans International, New York, N.Y.

Home Diocese
Diocese of Arlington, Virginia

Education
Hayfield Secondary School
Alexandria, Va.

B.S. Environmental & Conservation Biology
George Mason University, 2017
M.A. Theology, Religion, Culture
Catholic University of America, 2023
Certificate in Franciscan Philosophy
Franciscan School of Theology,  2023

Birthplace
Baltimore, Md.

Parents
Gail and Mike Krondon

Current Assignment
Assumption Church/Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen, Syracuse, N.Y.

Assignments since joining Our Lady of the Angels Province
Postulancy in Chicago, Ill.
Novitiate in Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Three years of post-novitiate in Silver Spring, Md. with at The Little Portion Farm, Ellicott City, Md.

Home Archdiocese
Baltimore, Md.

Education
Archbishop Curley High School
Baltimore, Md.

He studied at Catholic University of America and is finishing his degree at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y.