Continuing their Franciscan journey with the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the USA (OLA), two friars made their first profession of vows on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Maryland, USA. The OLA Minister Provincial, Friar Michael HEINE, OFM Conv., presided over the Mass, with the Vicar Provincial, Friar Gary JOHNSON, OFM Conv., and Friar John KOZIOL, OFM Conv., serving as principal concelebrants.
Before their brother friars, families, and friends, Tristen Daniel PARAISO and Kole RESLER professed their religious vows before Friar Michael. Tristen took the religious name Friar Joseph Mary PARAISO, while Kole took the name Friar Kolbe Mary RESLER.
In his homily, Friar Michael said: “The voice of God calling someone by name establishes a deep relationship. And each time God speaks a name, He invites that person into a deeper communion with Himself and entrusts that person with a mission. Today, the Church once again calls each of you by name. It’s a reminder that long before either of you considered becoming a Franciscan friar, God had already chosen you and called you to Himself.”
A native of San Diego, California, USA, Friar Joseph Mary PARAISO received an undergraduate degree in marine biology from the University of California San Diego in 2022. While a student there, his faith was rekindled by the university’s Newman Center. After graduation, he spent a year serving with FrancisCorps in Syracuse, New York, USA.
“In FrancisCorps, I fell in love with the Franciscan charism, and upon completing that year, I felt called to join the friars,” said Friar Joseph Mary PARAISO. “It has been a beautiful and fruitful journey so far, and it is a great blessing to make simple vows, especially during the eighth centenary of the transitus of St. Francis. I pray that the Lord may show me what is mine to do―so that I may be able to follow in the footprints of Christ through the example of our Seraphic Father Francis.”
Friar Kolbe Mary RESLER was born and raised in New Port Richey, Florida, USA. After high school, he enrolled at Florida State University, where he studied economics. Through Catholic friends and the Catholic Student Union faith community, he was gradually drawn into the Catholic Church. Reading St. Bonaventure’s spiritual writings, he developed a love for the Franciscan way.
“In professing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, I am joyfully entering into closer union with our Lord Jesus, who has walked this path before me. These vows are a gift of my whole self to Christ’s Body, His Church….Through the intercession of our Immaculate Mother, St. Francis, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, I know that our Lord’s grace will carry to completion what He has begun in my heart.”
Friar Michael HEINE concluded: “My brothers, remember this: Before you are Franciscans, before you are religious, before you are ministers, you are beloved sons of God, and you are precious in God’s eyes. Everything else flows from that truth. Beginning today, all of us friars can rejoice in a new way because we also call you fully our brothers.”
The two friars will begin their post-novitiate studies at the Oblate School of Theology in Austin, Texas, USA.
Kevin A. KEENAN
Director of Communications
