On Friday, September 11, 2020, Mike Johnson, OFM, the General Visitor for the Our Lady of Guadalupe Provincial Chapter, announced its new administration and leadership. The email revealed the name of the province's 6th Provincial Minister, Ron Walters, OFM.

Father Mike shared, "Please hold Father Ron and these brothers in prayer as we are all aware there is a significant challenge that awaits them," referring to the upcoming revitalizing and restructuring of the United States Franciscan provinces. Because the United States provinces are coming together to form a new province in 2023, Fr. Ron will serve as the last Provincial Minister of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province. Although this will be a challenging role and ministry, Fr. Ron has vast experience to lead the province into this unchartered territory.

Ron Walters, originally from Atchison, Kansas, started his faith journey in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. He attended St. Francis High School Seminary ('69) in Cincinnati, Ohio. After high school, he enrolled at Duns Scotus College in Southfield, Michigan. It was during this time that Fr. Ron began seriously discerning his vocation. Following God's call, he entered the novitiate in Oldenburg, Indiana, in 1972. He completed his studies at Duns Scotus College and earned his Bachelor’s degree in history in 1973. Upon graduating, Fr. Ron focused on his vocation and professed his first vows on June 2, 1974. Following his profession of vows, he entered theological studies at St. Leonard College in Centerville, Ohio, while simultaneously pursuing this Master's degree in history from the University of Dayton. On June 3, 1977 at St. Leonard College, Fr. Ron decided to dedicate his life to following St. Francis's footsteps and professed his solemn vows. He was ordained a priest the following year on December 30, 1978, at St. Benedict Abbey in Atchison, Kansas, by Most Rev. Marion Forst, D.D., retired Bishop of Dodge City, Kansas.

Fr. Ron's ministry journey is a unique tapestry woven with different assignments and various locations. Throughout his ministry, he has been an educator, pastor, and administrator. His ministry journey started in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he taught religion at Bishop Luers High School. After this assignment, Fr. Ron made his way to the beautiful Southwest. He became the parochial vicar of St. Michael's Mission and taught at St. Michael's Indian School.

In 1984, Fr. Ron was called to his first assignment as pastor at St. Isabel Parish in Lukachukai, Arizona. After ministering to this small community, Fr. Ron was assigned to the Cathedral of St. Francis in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he served as the Master of Ceremonies and parochial vicar. Not long after, at the appointment of the the provincial definitorium, Fr. Ron moved to Denver, Colorado to serve as the Master of Temporary Professed. He worked with Gordon, Boykin, OFM to found a friary and formation program. Fr. Ron's journey in Colorado opened the door to another ministry, law.

Fr. Ron began working in the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Denver in 1986. After three years in the Tribunal, he was invited by the Archdiocese to study in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. For the next three years, Fr. Ron studied and lived in Rome. In 1992 he received a Licentiate in Canon Law, after which he returned to Denver, working full time in the Tribunal. Overtime, Fr. Ron was called to serve in leadership positions. He served on Our Lady of Guadalupe's provincial definitorium from 2000-2006 and served as Provincial Vicar, under two different provincials, from 2006-2014. Fr. Ron has since served as the Treasurer of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Fr. Ron has also served on many committees and in many interprovincial roles. He was on the interprovincial committee on aging, the senior friars committee, and Secretary for Formation and Studies.Fr. Ron's service extends beyond his Franciscan ministry. He is an active Eagle Scout and has been involved in adult training for the Boy Scouts of America since 1974. He has also served as the Regional Chaplain for Region 13 of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, a member of their Executive Board, and a Chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch and the National Boy Scout Jamboree.

Please help us congratulate Ron Walters, OFM, as our province's 6th Provincial Minister. We ask that you keep him in your prayers as he leads over the next three years.