“In the Church’s tradition, religious profession is considered to be a special and fruitful deepening of the consecration received in Baptism …”
~ Vita Consecrata #30
Friar Connor Ouly (from l-r), Minister Provincial Michael Heine, and Friar Marvin Paul Fernandez outside The Shrine of St. Anthony.
Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., minister provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, received the simple profession of vows from Friar Vincent Mary Ouly, OFM Conv., and Friar Marvin Paul Fernandez, OFM Conv.,on 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,” said Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv. “Two friars who are saying ‘yes’ to their vocation as Franciscan Friars bring new life and vitality into the province. Just as Saint 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 Catholic University of America.
“Two friars who are saying ‘yes’ to their vocation as Franciscan Friars bring new life and vitality into the province,” said Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine.
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 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 which was led by the friars..
Fr. 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 to enter the Franciscan Friars Conventual. His from Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Ottawa, Ontario (Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall).
Friar Fernandez kneels at the feet of Friar Michael Heine.
Fr. Ouly is from Prince of Peace Parish in Steelton, Penn. (Diocese of Harrisburg). He studied voice/opera at the Juilliard School in Ne. 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.
“By religious profession the friars publicly commit themselves to live the Gospel in fraternity and minoritas … the friars recognize that they have received the grace from God the Father to follow Christ in his chaste, poor, and obedient way of life. They dedicate themselves entirely to God and bring their baptismal consecration to a particular fulfillment.”
~ Constitutions, 4.1, 9.1
A joyous day for Friar Marvin Paul Fernandez and his family.
The family of Friar Vincent Mary Ouly shared this special day with him at The Shrine of St. Anthony.
