During the final months of this Franciscan Jubilee Year, the Provincial Custody of Mary, Mother of Mercy in Central America has joyfully celebrated two solemn professions and one diaconal ordination. The Custody gives thanks to God for the lives and vocations of the friars involved.
On Tuesday, March 25, 2026, during the celebration of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, Friar Marco S. YOXÓN CASTRO made his solemn profession in his hometown, at the San Felipe de Jesús Chapel located in the village of Panimaquip, in the municipality of San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá District, Guatemala. He professed his vows into the hands of the Provincial Custos, Friar Pablo Alonso CARVAJAL ESPINOZA. Those present included many friars of the Custody, priests from the San Lucas Tolimán Parish Church, family members, neighbors, and friends of Friar Marco.
On Friday, April 10, during the Easter novena, the Custody joyfully celebrated the solemn profession of Friar David Rolando MONTOYA MARTÍNEZ. The event took place at the Santa Teresa del Niño Jesús Parish Church in the village of El Jicarito, El Zamorano District, Honduras. Friar David Rolando professed his vows before the Provincial Custos, in the presence of many friars, relatives, friends, and members of the local community who turned the occasion into a fraternal gathering of thanksgiving to the Lord.
Also, on Saturday, June 13, the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, Friar Leoncio Obed PIC ASUNCION, originally from San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, was ordained to the diaconate. The ordination took place at the San Francisco Chapel in Moravia, Costa Rica. The sacrament was conferred by the laying on of hands by the Most Reverend Gabriel Enrique MONTERO UMAÑA, OFM Conv., Bishop Emeritus of San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica. Those present included Conventual Franciscan friars from the friaries in Moravia, Belén de Heredia, and Alajuela (Costa Rica), other members of the Franciscan family, family members and friends. The ordination was carried out with joy and fraternal closeness toward our deacon brother.
During this Franciscan Jubilee Year, the Custody of Central America has been filled with hope and gratitude for the gift of these friars, who celebrated their definitive incorporation into the life of the Order through solemn profession and the ministry of the diaconate.
May each of them always look to Jesus Christ, meek and humble of heart, as the guiding light of this evangelical way of life. May they be sustained by the affection, prayers, and fraternal support of the friars and the People of God. May St. Francis, our Seraphic Father, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, intercede for them.
Friar Pablo Alonso CARVAJAL ESPINOZA
