On July 2, 2020, a group of nine novices including myself professed our first vows of obedience, poverty and chastity into the Order of Friars Minor. Our ceremony took place in Old Mission Santa Barbara with Fr. David Gaa, OFM, and no more than 15 friars present there to witness our profession. The celebration of the
first vows marks the end of the novitiate year and the beginning of the post-novitiate, a time of studies.

My novitiate year was full of many good experiences. We practiced in some way the three vows. This year was for me the foundation of my prayer life and an opportunity to grow into the Franciscan charism through; ministry, Franciscan history classes, prayer life with my brothers, personal prayer and community life in
general.

The vows for me are a path to follow, they helpme to live a Christian life practicing it with my sisters and brothers. The rite of profession was full of powerful words and phrases said by me and the friar whom received my vows, provincial David Gaa, OFM. Two of many phases that I still have in my head are first "I give myself to this fraternity with all my heart… guided by the example of Mary Immaculate"
and the other in the response of Fr. David,"if you observe them I promise you life
everlasting" These two phases really caught my attention. I am giving everything of myself to my brothers and to the Order with my strengths and my weaknesses embracing this my new life, following the example of Our blessed Mother Mary the first disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not going to be easy, but I know if I remain faithful to my commitment I will receive the joy from God.

This is not the end but the beginning of a life experience. With the rite of first vows I started living the three vows publicly and within myself. As a sign of the vows we were given a three knotted cord, each representing a vow. Now is the time of putting in practice what I learned from the novitiate and be opened to learn more during my postnovitiate time.

¡Paz y Bien¡ Peace and all good!