My name is Erasmo Romero, OFM, Vocation Director for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Welcome to our webpage! What is it that has attracted you to the Franciscans? Is it the life of St. Francis himself? Did you know that during the years of his discernment, Francis followed different paths trying to find the best way to live out his life? Maybe you find yourself in the same situation.
In the midst of all of the different directions that Francis considered in his life, he began to hear a voice deep in his heart inviting him to follow a different path. Eventually, Francis would discover that the voice that was speaking to him was the voice of God! Once Francis accepted the God's invitation to follow a different path, Francis made the radical decision to leave everything that--up to that time--had been of value to him, and dedicate his life to preaching and living the Gospel. Francis took this bold step in spite of the opposition that he faced from family and his friends who thought that what he was doing was simply foolish. You see, without consulting with him, his family and friends had already planned Francis’ life for him. God had other plans!
In a similar way, it is also good for us to ask the deep questions about what it is that God wants for us and how best to go about accomplishing that goal. The vocation to the religious life is a special calling from God which comes to us and is developed within us in different, yet very personal and intimate ways. If you feel that you are at a point in your journey where you would like to explore the Franciscan way of life as well as the different ministries in which we are involved, please contact us and allow us to help you in your discernment process.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Province
1204 Stinson Street, SW
Albuquerque, NM 87121
505 831 9199 [email protected]
Candidates who are accepted into the Initial Formation Program begin their journey as Postulants; a term that is used to describe a person seeking to enter a Religious Order.
Postulants spend at least one year living with friars in community. They participate in the life the friars, engage in some type of ministry, and are given the resources to help them develop the spiritual, psych-ological and emotional qualities necessary to live a healthy and joyful religious life. Because of the importance of this first year of formation, the Postulants are accompanied on their spiritual journey by a Spiritual Director with whom they meet on a regular basis to help them discern how God is working in their lives.
The second stage of Initial Formation is the year of Novitiate. The focus of this year is the deepening of the relation-ship between the novice and God. The novice focuses on a more intense life of prayer and devotion in order to lay a foundation for his life of community and ministry.
The novice is introduced to the Rule of Life of the friars, the History of the Order, as well as traditions that accompany the friar’s daily life. During this year the novice receives the Franciscan habit.
The Novitiate is located in Santa Barabara, California. Novices from the US-6 Provinces of the United States. At the conclusion of the year, the novice professes his first vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. These vows are renewed annually for a period of at least three years.
Our friars in the Post-Novitiate Program reside in either San Antonio, Texas, or Chicago, Illinois. In this stage of the Formation Program the students focus on developing in the Franciscan life, and in their ministerial and leadership skills. Academic studies are also an integral part of this Program. Students who feel called to the priesthood enroll in a Master’s Degree Program at the Oblate School of Theology (San Antonio) or Catholic Theological Union (Chicago). Students wishing to pursue degrees or training in other fields are also encouraged to follow their calling. The period of Initial Formation concludes with the friar’s Profession of Solemn Vows, an event which fully incorporates him into our Province and to the Franciscan Order. Friars who have not finished their studies, return to school to complete their degree.
The process of discerning a vocation involves prayer, meditation, and information. We invite you to discover if the Franciscan life is for you. There is no committment and there is always an invitation to walk away freely.
The Personal Inventory Form is a way for the Franciscans to get to know you and to help you in the discernment process. You can download the form below. Once completed, please send to Fr. Erasmo, either via email or mail:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Province
Attention: Erasmo Romero
1204 Stinson Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87121-3440
or email Fr. Erasmo with your questions:
[email protected]
Jesus Osornio knew since the 2nd grade that God
was calling him to something special. Growing up
in a Franciscan parish, Osornio developed an
appreciation for the charism of St. Francis. After
much discernment, it was divine providence that
lead him to the OLG vocations website many
years later. We are so thankful he did!
Osornio has spent the past 10 months in Silver
Spring, Maryland completing his Postulancy.
During this time, Jesus not only experienced a
new culture but found the most unexpected
teachers, his students! Jesus was initially
reluctant when he heard that his ministry was at
a school, and even thought about requesting a
change; however, Jesus ended up enjoying his
assignment! Jesus said, "I fell in love with the
school and students. I learned more from them
then they did for me.
Jesus shared that a friar once told him that
the postulancy is like getting a Master's
degree on yourself. Through the postulancy
one gets to know themselves better. Jesus
learned a lot about himself and is looking
forward to his next chapter in Santa
Barbara as a Novice in the Novitiate. He
hopes that he gets to learn even more
about his brothers, and how to serve the
people of God. "I want to fall in love again
with St. Francis, the friars, and the order."