On Sunday, February 2, 2020, the Novice-Friars José Darío ROJAS ARAQUE, Jesús Manuel ACOSTA and Williams Gregorio SUAREZ PAREDES of the Provincial Custody of Our Lady of Coromoto in Venezuela, made their simple profession. The ceremony took place at the San José de Cupertino Friary and Formation house in Palmira, State of Táchira, Venezuela.
The celebration was presided over by the Provincial Custos, Friar Franklin Antonio DURÁN ZAMBRANO. Other confreres from the friary in Palmira participated, including the Guardian and Rector, Friar Carlos Ramón ORTÍZ ROJAS; the Vicar-Guardian and Vice-Rector, Friar Jesús Aléxer RAMÍREZ DURÁN; and Friars Humberto José GÓMEZ PÉREZ, Juán Gregorio MARTÍNEZ CANELÓN and Andrés Eduardo GUERRA VEQUIZ, collaborators in the formation program. The Novice Master of the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC) in Colombia, Friar Pedro Pablo BERMÚDEZ, also attended, along with some relatives of the novices and the local faithful.
In his homily, the Custos talked about the theological meaning of the vows and the commitment of those who profess them. He mentioned that religious profession is an eloquent sign of the infinite mercy of God who, despite human limitations, works continuously in the life of those who consecrate their lives to the Lord and to the service of his brothers and sisters. Vows are a particular and renewed way of living one’s baptism and the common vocation to holiness, supported by Divine Grace.
We give thanks to God for these confreres, and we ask the Most High to provide us with ever more holy and abundant vocations to the consecrated and priestly life.
Friar Juan Gregorio MARTÍNEZ CANELÓN, Custodial Secretary