NEW YORK — Michael Reyes, OFM, will be ordained to the priesthood on Jan. 16 at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street. All are welcome to the 11 a.m. Mass that will be celebrated by Roberto González, OFM, archbishop of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The day after his ordination, Michael will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Francis Church.
The Philippines native professed his final vows as a Franciscan in August 2014 and was ordained a transitional deacon in May. He has been performing his diaconal duties at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Md., while continuing his apprenticeship with artist Robert Lentz, OFM. Michael, who lives at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, is completing studies for a master of divinity degree at The Catholic University of America and expects to graduate next month.
Michael’s family migrated to the United States when he was 16 years old. Before joining the Franciscans, he worked for 10 years as a senior programmer/analyst for a Fortune 500 company in New York City. Michael became acquainted with the friars at St. Francis of Assisi Church, a block from his office in Manhattan, and was inspired by their ministry and fraternity, which, he said, gave him “a deeper understanding and sincere attraction toward St. Francis’ life, work and the Order.”
Last January, on the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, two friars were ordained priests: Ross Chamberland, OFM, and Jeffery Jordan, OFM.
Related Links
- “Student Friars Complete Internships to Prepare for Final Vows” – June 25, 2014, HNP Today
- “Archbishop Roberto González Marks 25 Years as Bishop” — Oct. 23, 2013, HNP Today
- “Confessions of a First-Year Student at Holy Name College” by Michael Reyes – July 2011, Be a Franciscan