June 8, 2016 // Local

Franciscan Friars Minor: Three men profess final vows

Todays Catholic

Three Franciscan Friars Minor humbly lie prostrate on the ground in the main aisle, each in the form of a cross. — Joe Romie

FORT WAYNE — On May 31, 2016, three men entered St. Andrews Church on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to make their Solemn Religious Profession Of Perpetual Vows for the Franciscan Friars Minor. The candidates that professed their vows are Brother Francis Mary of Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners, Brother Seraphin Maria of Our Lady of Divine Mercy and Brother Bonaventure of Our Lady, Spouse of St. Joseph.

The vows were received by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades. A Profession of Final Vows witnesses a public profession to live the consecrated life, in this case, within the fraternity of the Franciscan Friars Minor.

During the Mass, each candidate approached Bishop Rhoades and requested to make their profession of vows in which they promise to live after the manner of the Holy Gospel, living by the constitutions of the Franciscan Friars Minor and live in Total Consecration to the Immaculate, in obedience, without property and in chastity.

In his homily,  Bishop stated that consecration and mission always go together. “Mary’s consecration was for the greatest mission in the history of the world: to bring Christ into the world. She said “yes” to the Father’s will, opened herself to the Holy Spirit, and conceived the Son of God in her womb.” In a similar way, Brother Seraphin, Brother Francis, and Brother Bonaventure, with deep faith in God, say “yes” to God’s call to consecrated life in the Church.

Bishop Rhoades called the three brothers to live out their consecration in service to the Gospel, bringing Christ to the world through their witness, service in charity with special attention to the poor, those on the margins of society, the suffering and those in varied states of affliction.