Vocation Weekend Energizes Candidates and Friars Alike

Maria Hayes Be A Franciscan, Friar News

BOSTON — The friars at St. Anthony Shrine welcomed six men into their community earlier this month for the Province’s first combination Come and See/Discernment Vocation Weekend. The event, organized by Holy Name Province’s Vocations Office, gave the candidates, men considering Franciscan life, an opportunity to get to know the Franciscan friars on deeper spiritual and fraternal levels, and to …

Vocation Office Launches New Website

Maria Hayes In the Headlines

NEW YORK — In time for National Vocation Awareness Week, the Franciscan Vocation Ministry of Holy Name Province launched a new, interactive website at BeAFranciscan.org. With large, vivid images and a clear layout, the site was designed to appeal to young adults. BeAFranciscan.org includes information from the previous “Join Us” section of HNP.org. In addition, the Be A Franciscan blog has …

New Vocation Staff Seeks to Broaden Office’s Reach

Maria Hayes Friar News

NEW YORK — The Province’s new vocation office staff has wasted no time in “casting a wide net” as it invites men to consider the Franciscan way of life. After the Provincial Chapter in June, Basil Valente, OFM, was appointed director of the vocation office and Gonzalo de Jesus Torres-Acosta, OFM, was appointed associate director. Together, they have brought dynamism …

Vocation Office Welcomes Men to Retreats

Maria Hayes Around the Province

Do you know someone who might make a good friar? The HNP Vocation Office is holding three autumn events — the first in early October — for men to meet the Franciscans and explore their own call to serve God. A college retreat, an Asian-American retreat and a “Come and See” Vocation Weekend have been scheduled at locations throughout the …

Celebrating a Saint with Prayers, Community Events and an Award

Jocelyn Thomas In the Headlines

Friars and their partners-in-ministry commemorated a philosopher, theologian and doctor of the church — St. Bonaventure – this month with a variety of athletic, social, spiritual and academic events. Commemorations began a week before the July 15 feast of St. Bonaventure, the seventh general minister of the Order of Friars Minor and affectionately called the Franciscans’ “other saint.” In Western …