Hello, dear readers and benefactors of Franciscan Mission Associates. I am a second-year Theology student here in Rome, and I am loving it. I thought I’d share a little bit about myself with you, to thank you all for the various kinds of support you have shown us brothers who are in formation and to show you how much it helps us along.
I grew up in a Catholic family of principles and traditions. Since I was a child, my parents and my maternal grandmother instilled the Faith in me through prayer, especially through the Rosary and attending Mass on Thursdays and Sundays. I also studied at a Catholic school run by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Mother Cabrini’s community). It allowed me to get to know and participate in the religious activities that took place at the school.
My mother and my maternal grandmother were the biggest influences in helping me to discern a vocation to religious life. The most important thing to me about the Franciscan charism is that it is not focused only on a specific area—for example, education, mission, the sick—but rather it is the kind of life where one can serve in any type of apostolate. We are an order of contemplative life, but we are also active—that is, we are grounded in prayer but are also in contact with people and called to minister and spread the gospel.
Opportunities granted through the IC Province
The biggest challenge for me has been leaving my country and my family, adapting to another culture, and learning other languages. Fortunately, I belong to the Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception (IC), based out of New York City. This province has a broad vision, and values each of its friars, whom it cares for deeply. Each one of the friars is important without distinction.
Likewise, the IC Province gives its students the opportunity to live during the novitiate year in Assisi, the land of St. Francis, and later to study at a pontifical university in Rome. This provides us with the perspective of an international order and a universal church. The friars in temporary vows receive an integral formation.
Learning Italian has been instrumental in becoming immersed in our studies and culture in Italy. The province, through the generosity of Franciscan Mission Associates (FMA) and its benefactors, also equips us for the various social programs that exist in Central America that help many people of scarce resources. With economic support, IC Province gives hope to each person who benefits from the projects that our province directs.
Service as witness
Service is the gesture of being close to people, attentive to their needs and to their welfare. It is the way I give witness to my life as a Franciscan. The foundation of our vocation is God. He helps me to be faithful every day to his call. He gives me strength and joy in difficult moments. The most important thing for me is to be in a relationship with Him; but, also being in contact with people through the apostolate I am involved in (catechesis for the sacrament of confirmation) helps me to be joyful.
In closing, I wish to express my sincere thanks for your contribution to my formation. It means a lot and is another incentive for me to be a good friar. Every day I recommend you to God in my prayers.
About Formation
Franciscan priests and brothers follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus and St. Francis. They accept the gift of poverty as a way of life. They have nothing of their own but share equally as brothers whatever God provides through your generosity.
To educate and support a seminarian in his studies costs more than $10,000 a year. Show your support for our Franciscan Brothers by making a donation today.
Thank you, and God bless.
