On July 7, 2023, the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico joyfully witnessed the simple profession of Friar Juan Carlos REYES SANTILLÁN.
During the same celebration, the Province of Mexico vested some young men in the Conventual Franciscan habit as they began their novitiate year. The new novices are Friars Hugo Evani GUERRERO SOLIS, Adolfo Ángel TAPIA BAUTISTA, Pablo Nahum SALAZAR ROCHA and Erik S. BENÍTEZ CANIVE, together with Friar Brayan Alexander MERO ZAMORANO of the Provincial Delegation in Ecuador. In addition, Friar José PARRA NIEVES of Mexico renewed his temporary vows. Lastly, another friar from Ecuador, Friar Víctor Antonio GALVÁN PALACIOS, completed his novitiate year, but his profession of temporary vows took place two days later in his country of origin.
The celebration was held Totolapan, State of Morelos, Mexico, home of the San Antonio de Padua Novitiate. Each year, this event is celebrated with the community of the faithful at the San Guillermo Abad Parish Church and the different groups within it. Of course, the families of the newly professed are normally present, but his year only the family members of Friar Juan Carlos were able to attend. We hope all the families of the novices will be able to attend next year. The Mass was presided over by the Minister Provincial, Friar Mario CASTRO MARTÍNEZ. One of the things he spoke about during his homily was the care that every friar should have for his vocation, and he invited the faithful to pray and care for these vocations.
The Minister Provincial addressed the many altar boys who were present and asked if any of them wanted to become a religious. After the celebration, a fraternal agape meal was served, featuring typical festive dishes of Mexico: carnitas (pork cooked in its own lard), nopales (prickly pear cactus paddles), beans and more. Naturally, there was a mariachi band present to enlivened the event with joyful music.
May God grant perseverance to these brothers and sustain them in fidelity.
Friar Jorge HERNÁNDEZ DE LUNA
