Early morning on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, as the sun slowly started to peek out from behind the Sandia Mountains, its rays gently cast on something extraordinary. Bernard Keele, OFM, professed his solemn vows in an intimate outdoor Mass. Although solemn professions are usually causes for large public celebrations, due to COVID-19 restrictions, this ceremony looked slightly different but just as beautiful and holy. Provincial Minister, Jack Clark Robinson, asked Br. Bernard one crucial question, "What do you seek?"

Br. Bernard's journey to this sacred moment was reflected on during Fr. Jack's homily. Br. Bernard's love and search for wisdom, started in his youth when he decided to become the only Catholic in his family. His search for wisdom also drew him to live in an intentional community, and later profess vows as a Benedictine monk. Despite these experiences, his journey for wisdom continued until he
ultimately found his spiritual home with the Franciscans in 2017. Fr Jack exclaimed, "Your search has lead to this day...This day we mark and celebrate that you have chosen to seek God among the friars. Through long discernment, the friars have come to the point of welcoming you into our family. Our family
and our brotherhood is defined by vows." Br. Bernard proudly proclaimed these vows my professing, "Since the Lord has inspired me to follow more closely the Gospel...before the brothers here present and in your hands Br. Jack, with firm faith and will, vow to God, the holy and almighty Father, to live for all my life in obedience, without anything of my own, and in chastity and at the same time. I profess the life of the rule and order of the friars minor."

After professing his vows, Br. Bernard walked to each of his new brothers, who welcomed him into their fraternity with a sign of peace. After celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Br. Bernard made his profession official to the
Curia (OFM leadership) by signing a document, with Fr. Jack Clark Robinson, and witnessed by Fr. Erasmo Romero, Vocations Director, and Fr. Chris Kerstiens, Br. Bernard's spiritual director.