Embracing the Journey

Embarking on the spiritual voyage of Franciscan life, our newly professed friars are taking pivotal steps in their respective journeys. Friar Bob Moynihan, OFM Conv. and friar Colden Fell, OFM Conv. have settled in San Antonio, TX, embracing the diversity and warmth of the San Damiano Friary. At the same time friar André Miller, OFM Conv. plunges into the bustling and challenging environment of Silver Springs, MD. As these friars navigate their paths, they have each shared a reflection on their experiences, highlighting the universality of the Church, the profound impact of their vows, and the challenges and growth that come with change.

Friar Bob Moynihan expressed his, and his classmates’, gratitude to those who helped them along the way as they celebrated their first profession.

“Here Comes Everybody”

By friar Bob Moynihan, OFM Conv.

Irish author and poet James Joyce famously said, “Catholic means ‘Here comes everybody.’” The word, catholic, means universal, and The Oxford Dictionary defines catholic as all-embracing. Here comes everybody. The Church is in all places and comprises all people, including San Damiano Friary in San Antonio, TX. Our Franciscan community consists of thirteen friars, nine of whom are students. We expanded this friary a year ago to accommodate what Joyce would call everyone. Our friars belong to all four American provinces of Franciscan Friars Conventual, as well as two friars that are members of the Franciscan Friars-OFM. One friar grew up in Poland, one in Puerto Rico, one in Mexico, one was born in Africa and grew up in France, while another was born in France and grew up in Chicago. The rest of the friars hail from California, Illinois, Louisiana, Virginia, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. Our community is a good example of everybody. But that is just the beginning. The reason we are here in San Antonio is to be trained for ministry as Franciscan Friars. All our student friars attend or are preparing to attend the Oblate School of Theology. Oblate itself is a ministry of a global religious community, and its focus, on training people for ministry and priesthood, is about-everybody. Oblate, like our Franciscan mission, is committed to a global mission, being present to the real needs of the Church today and going forth in missionary discipleship.

Minister Provincial, friar Martin Day, OFM Conv. bestows the three-knotted cord to friar Colden Fell, symbolizing poverty, chastity, and obedience, during the first vows ceremony.

“Trust In Him”

By friar Colden Fell, OFM Conv.

When it comes to this new year of my Franciscan journey, I, friar Colden Fell OFM Conv., can say that so far, it has been extremely rewarding to be living in San Antonio, Texas. This is the same city where I had my “Come and See” retreat in 2020, and being able to live here is truly a gift. The friars have been so welcoming and helpful in showing me where my school is located. Being in vows is another milestone that has truly made me feel closer to God in many ways. I can tell you that once I took my vows on July 19, 2023, I felt not only spiritually but mentally clean. The true essence of being a Franciscan is that it is a calling. God calls us to our vocations, and we must take a leap of faith and trust in his calling.

While kneeling friar André Miller makes his first profession of vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience into the hands of friar Martin Day, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial

“Submerging In Change”

By friar André Miller, OFM Conv.

The transition from the Novitiate to a House of Studies was like the process of jumping into water that I know is cold. As we make the resolve to submerge ourselves in it, we prepare as much as possible for the coldness of the water by making expectations and building up anticipation. But despite all the attempts at readiness, the reality of the situation challenges our preconceived notions and even catches us off-guard. For myself, organizing the move into a new house, coordinating with others, and explaining to my family how life might differ in this new chapter, naturally, created these expectations and anticipation of the approaching setting. But even with careful preparation, nonetheless, the grind of academics, the hustle of feeling out a new city, and settling into new friary responsibilities all still felt like a 180-degree change of pace from the more removed, familiar, and quieter rhythm of the Novitiate. And it took a lot of adjusting, but we moved forward. Even when we’re in cold water, we adjust and find stability again. We remain grounded in prayer, which recalls the Bedrock, Jesus Christ, in whom all of this is rooted. After all, in this new and icy water, we’re not left without the techniques of “wading and swimming” thanks to the eight-hundred-year-old way of life handed down to us by our founder, St. Francis. We are buttressed by all the brothers past and present, and the embrace of the Church at large. For example, one week into the semester, the brothers saved me “out of the mighty waters” (Ps. 18:16). I decided to try a fifth course to graduate earlier. As the semester began, I fixed in myself St. Francis’ exhortation to St. Anthony of Padua: “Do not extinguish the Spirit of prayer and devotion during study.” But the friars here saw my diminished spirit and were sure to let me know of it! I soon dropped the course. Sometimes, I guess, the Lord splashes us with cold water to wake us up a little more. In this instance, and in the overall transition, He lets me find my new limits so that He can pull me out from them to remember the bigger picture and what matters.