We give thanks to Almighty God for vesting five new novices for our Order in the United States. On Saturday, July 12, 2025, friars from all around the United States gathered at the St. Francis of Assisi Novitiate in Arroyo Grande, California, USA., to celebrate the vesting of five novices in the habit of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. Friar Martin DAY, the Minister Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation (OLC), presided over the Rite of Vesting, which was conducted during Evening Prayer.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the men being vested, and beginning their time of probation, were called forward. They are Daniel Paul DEVERA and Matthew FLAHERTY, members of the OLC Province; Tristen PARAISO and Kole RESLER, members of the Province of Our Lady of the Angels (OLA); and George HARRIS, a member of the Province of St. Bonaventure (SB). Friar Martin questioned the men about their intentions and if they were willing to live the Gospel Life, to which they wholeheartedly agreed.

“This past Sunday (July 13, 2025), I had lunch with our novices, Tristen and Kole, along with Friar Joe Dorniak. During our meal, we reflected on what drew us to become friars,” said Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine OFM Conv. “Our newly invested shared that one of the strongest attractions was our communal life. Young people today are looking for authentic community—for a sense of belonging—and they are drawn toward communities, who live what they profess. We pray the Lord gives us the grace to live faithfully and authentically, so we may truly be who we say we are.”

Friar Michel Heine, OFM Conv., (far right), with Friars Tristen Paraiso (left) and Kole Resler (middle).

The psalms were prayed, and three readings were read. The first was from the Book of Samuel (Speak Lord); the second, from the Major Legend (Life of St. Francis) by St. Bonaventure; and the third was from the Gospel of St. Mark (10:24-30). Friar Martin gave a beautiful reflection on the need to be open to the voice of the Lord and how we as friars receive formation from a variety of places and in a variety of ways―not only from our designated formators, but also from our peers, and especially from the friars who have come before us.

The new Conventual Franciscan habits were blessed, and each of the Ministers Provincial came forward to vest their novices. There was great jubilation as all the friars welcomed each new novice friar with an embrace of peace and congratulations. The novices were officially entrusted to their Novitiate Directors, Friars James CIARAMITARO and Antony Varghese VATTAPARAMBIL, as the assembled friars prayed for them and for their ministry as formators.
Evening Prayer continued with the recitation of the Canticle of Mary, the intercessions, and a final prayer and blessing. Please keep these five novices in your prayers as they undertake this year-and-a-day of probation and deeper formation in the Franciscan life.

~ By Friar Bernard Mary Finkalsrud, OFM Conv.