Newly Invested friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv. (far right) stands next to our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., along with our friar novices from our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody – friar Kyle Banks, OFM Conv. and friar Peter Flynn, OFM Conv.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019: friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv. was invested in the Franciscan Friars Conventual habit along with four more friars from his Postulancy Class. He is pictured at right being vested by our minister provincial. After completing their initial year of formation, living in community in St. Bonaventure Friary (our Order’s North American InterProvincial Postulancy – Chicago,IL), these friars are now in the Novitiate stage of formation. They will spend this next stage living in community in St. Francis of Assisi Friary (our Order’s North American InterProvincial Novitiate – Arroyo Grande, CA). Already invested as novices this past November, friar Kyle Banks, OFM Conv. and friar Peter Flynn, OFM Conv. of our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody (Great Britain/Ireland) will continue their studies alongside these five Newly Invested Novices. Please keep all of our friars in formation in your continued prayers.

All of the newly Invested Novices – friar Roberto, friar Joshua, friar Alex, friar Michael and friar Chris – pictured with their Postulancy Director, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. (2nd right)

Congratulations to:
friar Michael Hintze, OFM Conv. ~ St. Bonaventure Province
friar Joshua Sherls, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of Consolation Province
friar Alexander Gould, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of Consolation Province
friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv.  ~ Our Lady of the Angels Province
friar Roberto Macias-Marin, OFM Conv. ~ Our Lady of Consolation Province

As part of the celebrations, the three graduating Novices of our province were “Sent Forth” onto their continuing studies. The chapel was full as we vested the five new novices in the habit of our Order and sent forth friar Antonio Moualeu, OFM Conv. to further studies while living in community in San Damiano Friary (San Antonio, TX), as well as friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv. & friar Joseph Krondon, OFM Conv. to further studies while living in community in St. Bonaventure Friar (Silver Spring, MD). At left, they are pictured receiving their blue crosses and knotted cords (at right) from our Minister Provincial.

For more photos from the celebration, visit our Facebook page.

As these new friars have not yet professed their vows, you will notice their habits’ cords around their waists are not knotted. Upon their Simple Profession of Vows, the cords of their habits will hold three knots symbolizing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. On Monday ~ July 22, 2019, just few days after this Investiture and Sending Ceremony, these three friars will don their new knotted cords as they profess their Simple (Temporary) Vows during our Province Jubilee Mass; celebrating milestone years of Profession or Ordination. The Jubilee Mass with Simple Vow Profession will be held at our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD).

Our Province Friars who were on hand for the day’s celebration (left to right/top to bottom rows): Fr. Russell Governale, OFM Conv. (Province Vocation Director), the Very Reverend Fr. Michael Zielke, OFM Conv. (currently serving as Minister Provincial of St. Bonaventure Province), Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. (Novitiate Assistant Director), Fr. Mark Szanyi, OFM Conv. (Prefect of Formation & Pastor of St. Lucie Catholic Church, in Port St. Lucie, FL), friar Joseph Krondon, OFM Conv., friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv., Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. (Postulancy Director), friar Antonio Mouleau, OFM Conv., Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of St. Peter RCC, in Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ), friar Kyle Banks, OFM Conv., the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial), friar Christopher M. Fernández, OFM Conv. and friar Peter Flynn, OFM Conv. Missing from photo: Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv. (CFF Assistant General of the Order)