SILVER SPRING, Md. — Hispanic men aged 21 to 40 are invited to a Vocation Discernment Weekend in Spanish being planned for Labor Day weekend. It will be conducted from 5 p.m. Aug. 30 through lunch on Sept. 1 at Holy Name College just outside Washington, D.C.
This retreat, being organized by the HNP Hispanic Ministry Committee, is geared toward young Hispanic men who are interested in learning more about a Franciscan vocation and meeting young friars. HNP friars are encouraged to “invite solid inquirers who have demonstrated maturity, desire, and faithfulness — the seeds to a possible call,” according to Christopher Posch, OFM, chair of the committee.
“We request that HNP sites with Hispanic ministries try to refer between one and three men to our committee for this retreat,” said Chris.
Chris asks that friars give the event information sheet, prepared by the committee, to young Hispanic men who may have a call to friar life and “try to enter into significant conversations,” according to Chris. Also, he suggested that friars display the flyer at their ministry sites. Chris reminded friars in an announcement emailed to friars last week, that “as vocation director Brian Smail, OFM, often says, ‘we are all vocation directors.’”
Those interested in registering or in obtaining more information are asked to contact Erick López, OFM, a member of the Hispanic Ministry Committee, by Aug. 1. He can be reached by email at erick0722@yahoo.com.
This is the second retreat offered recently for a specific cultural group. Last December, a Go Down Moses retreat— organized by the HNP African Ancestry Committee — was held for African American men.
Last fall, the Hispanic Ministry Committee held its second Encuentro Franciscano, a gathering to celebrate Hispanic culture.
Editor’s note: Information about the Province’s Hispanic ministry can be found on the Encuentro blog and Facebook page.