Conventual Franciscan Father Michael Heine, minister provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province of his religious community, received the simple profession of vows from Friar Vincent Mary Ouly and Friar Marvin Paul Fernandez July 21, at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Md. The Rite of Profession marked the end of the first year of their novitiate.
“It is an exciting day for Our Lady of the Angels Province,” Father Heine said. “Two friars who are saying ‘yes’ to their vocation as Franciscan Friars bring new life and vitality into the province. Just as St. Francis was called to rebuild the Lord’s Church, so too are these two friars who help rebuild by living the Gospel life.”
Friar Fernandez and Friar Ouly will now enter the post novitiate phase of their formation. They have enrolled in the pre-theology program at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
More than 50 friars were in attendance and took part in a fraternal embrace with Friars Ouly and Fernandez following their solemn profession of “obedience without anything of my own and in chastity.” The two friars signed the Book of Profession and had their unknotted cords which are worn around the waste replaced with a cord with three knots symbolizing their vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity. They also were given a copy of
the Rule, the fundamental law for Conventual Franciscans.
Reflecting on his simple profession, Friar Ouly said, “This day for me is strengthening of the relationship between myself and Jesus Christ in the family of St. Francis.”
Friar Fernandez added, “It is a blessing and a grace to take the vow and to be part of the bigger Franciscan order.”
About 90 young people from the parishes where the friars serve (Baltimore, Siler City, N.C., Atlanta, Jonesboro, Ga., Buffalo, and Olean, N.Y.) were also in attendance as they started their Assisi by the Chesapeake retreat.
Friar Fernandez grew up in Laoag City in the Philippines’ Ilocos Norte province and is now a Canadian citizen. He was a nursing assistant, cook, and manager of nursing assistants at a senior living center before pursuing his vocation. He said he was inspired by the friars in his parish, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, to enter the Franciscan community.
Friar Ouly is from Prince of Peace Parish in Steelton, Pa. He studied voice and opera at the Julliard School in New York City. His vocation was driven by the Conventuals’ dedication to serving the poorest of the poor in simple but necessary ways in parishes, schools and hospitals.
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