On May 2, 2025, Friars Edgar VARELA and Sebastian DE BACKER, both members of the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the USA, professed their solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience before their Minister Provincial, Friar Michael HEINE. The event took place during Mass at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Maryland, USA. The Mass was prayed, preached, and sung in Dutch, Spanish, Latin, and English.
Our confrere, the Most Reverend Michael T. MARTIN, OFM Conv., Bishop of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA presided. Friars Gary JOHNSON and John KOZIOL were the principal concelebrants.
During his homily, Friar Michael said, “We come together to witness and celebrate our two friars, who will give their lives totally to the Lord in the way of St. Francis. I am unsure if we ever had a solemn profession during the sede vacante – the empty chair of St. Peter. The attention given to Pope Francis and your solemn profession tells the world that St. Francis and his way of following the Lord are still relevant. As our Minister General (Friar Carlos Alberto TROVARELLI) wrote: ‘To us Franciscans, his choice has always told us that our charism was alive, deeply relevant, and could still offer something to the world. For us, it marked the beginning of a renewed purification of our charism – a reflection on the depth of our way of life – so that we, too, might be witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in today’s world.’”
Born in Zottegem, Belgium, Friar Sebastian is the son of Sabine DE SCHUITENEER and has three siblings: Björn, Bianka, and Ben. He is now undertaking his apostolic year in Chicopee, Massachusetts, USA., where he serves at the Basilica of. St. Stanislaus and supports senior friars in nursing care in Enfield, Massachusetts. As part of his Master of Social Work program at The Catholic University of America, he completed internships in psychotherapy and hospice care. He also spent a summer assignment assisting friars in Rensselaer, New York. Friar Sebastian earned a Master of Arts in Theology from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.
“For me, these vows are not abstract ideals,” said Friar Sebastian regarding solemn vows. “They are how we commit ourselves more deeply to our baptismal calling. They are meant to shape us into Eucharistic people who live lives of offering, communion, and self-giving. It’s not easy. We often fail. However, as I keep saying, the grace is in the trying, in the returning to the source of all. […] I desire to live a life not rooted in power but in humility. I am not searching for certainty but for a deeper fidelity – fidelity to the quiet, daily acts that honor our shared human dignity. Personally, I feel God is calling me to do this as a religious brother.”
Friar Edgar will be ordained a deacon on May 3, 2025, as his journey to the priesthood continues.
He was born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, the son of Manuel and Maribel VARELA. He has four siblings: Yessenia, Erica, Sergio, and German.
“As I prepared for profession of solemn vows and diaconal ordination, I’m thankful to Almighty God for the call to religious life,” said Friar Edgar. “I’m blessed to know that I have my fellow Franciscan friars so that together we may strive to walk in the footsteps of the Risen Christ and bring His love and mercy to all. Please remember to pray for me as I take these next two steps in my religious and priestly formation.”
His current assignment is at the Blessed Sacrament Parish and School in Burlington, North Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Loyola University in Chicago, and a Master of Divinity from the Catholic University of America.
Friar Michael added, “Today, as you place your hands on the Gospels, into my hands, and through me into the hands of the Church, we are all reminded of our baptismal call. Your ‘yes’ strengthens all of us in our own ‘yes’. Your courage inspires us. Your love inflames ours.”
Kevin A. KEENAN, Director of Communications
