Three simply professed student friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province are in the Apostolic Year stage of Formation. Typically, each friar of our province spends a year in service and ministry, known as the Apostolic Year, prior to professing Solemn Vows.

Friar Franck Sokpolie, OFM Conv. (Professed Simple Vows – July 2016) will be serving the St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School community of St. Anne Catholic Church (Columbus, GA). Monday, August 10, 2020 marked the first day of the 2020-2021 school year. During the “Back-to-School Blessings,” the pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church, Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. introduced friar Franck to the school community: Video. The school also posted a nice write up about Friar Franck: Post

Friar Richard Rome, OFM Conv. (Professed Simple Vows – July 2018) began his Apostolic Year in May 2020, as the Director of The Franciscan Center (Coal Township, PA), a ministry of the friars of Mother Cabrini Friary (Shamokin, PA). The Franciscan Center works to assist those living in the coal region to create s sustainable and promising future in the area. Read More

Our third student friar plans to spend his Apostolic Year with our friars of St. Bonaventure Friary (Toronto, ON). Once the US/Canadian Border reopens, Friar Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv. (Professed Simple Vows – July 2016) will serve with our friars of Toronto in their varied ministries, including those of The Franciscan Church at St. Bonaventure and that of St. Clare Inn; community, care and shelter for homeless women with mental health issues along with support for their healing journey.

These young men have answered God’s Call to serve His people in the varied ministries of our province. Our friars serve in parishes, schools, shrines, universities, and as diocesan leadership. They are pastors, social workers, counselors, psychotherapists, scholars, chaplains, and nurses. They are on boards of universities, outreach facilities, service organizations social justice groups. They have each brought forth their individual God given gifts to share with their confreres in community, as well within the ministries they serve. If life as a Franciscan Friar Conventual seems like a great way to share yourself with God’s children, our Vocation Director, Br. Nick Romeo, OFM Conv. would love to hear from you. Contact him at vocations@olaprovince.org.

Pax et Bonum!