Ronald Pecci with the 2014-15 class of postulants: Alexis Alvares Padron, Aaron Richardson, Angel Vazquez, Camilo Garcia Sanchez and Eufemio Dimas Robaina.
SILVER SPRING, Md. — Holy Name Province welcomed five postulants into its postulancy program on Aug. 27 at Holy Name College.
During the ceremony, Alexis Alvares Padron, Aaron Richardson, Eufemio Dimas Robaina, Camilo Garcia Sanchez, and Angel Vazquez received the Tau cross from Michael Reyes, OFM, who professed solemn vows on Aug. 23.
Ronald Pecci, OFM, director of the Province’s postulancy program, officiated at Wednesday’s service. Tony LoGalbo, OFM, guardian and director of post-novitiate formation, offered some of the prayers. Outgoing vocation director Brian Smail, OFM, and the Holy Name College community were present to share their faith and support.
“In his homily, Ron reminded the postulants that they are not alone as they begin this journey, that all Franciscans walk it together, supporting and learning from one another,” Brian said. “It is always very gratifying to see these men take their first ‘big’ step in their Franciscan journey after working with them during their time of discernment.”
Many of the men were connected with the Province prior to applying to the program. Aaron knows some of the friars at St. Francis Church in Triangle, Va. Alexis met friars from St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, Fla., who were ministering in Hialeah, Fla. Angel attended Sacred Heart Parish in Tampa, Fla., and Camilo chose to leave the seminary where he was studying to enter the postulancy program after meeting the friars at St. Francis Church in New York City.
This year’s class has a diverse educational background, ranging from English and education to business and nursing. Three of the men lived in Florida, while the other two came from Maryland and New York.
“The diverse backgrounds and experiences of this year’s class reinforce the attraction and vitality of the Franciscan way of life in today’s world,” noted Brian, who completes his term as vocation director in September.
For the postulants, the upcoming months will be filled with orientation programs, catechetical workshops and visits to ministries around the Province. The program concludes with six weeks of graduate-level courses at St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., where the men will meet fellow Franciscan postulants as they prepare for novitiate.
This is the postulancy program’s second year at Holy Name College. The program was previously located at St. Paul Friary in Wilmington, Del.
— Maria Hayes is communications coordinator for Holy Name Province.