A year ago, on Oct. 17, 2023, nearly 700 Franciscan friars came together to form the new Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a historic moment for Franciscan life in the United States. As they celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, they do so with gratitude for their partners-in-ministry and generous benefactors who have ministered alongside them and prayed with them during their first year.
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the friars took charge of their future, reconsidering as brothers how to be better agents of renewal, evangelizers and stewards of God’s generous gifts.
“Birthdays are milestones to celebrate growth and future potential, and to gratefully recognize that—however you measure it—all good things come from the Lord,” said Provincial Minister Br. Lawrence Hayes, OFM. “In the words of Dag Hammarskjold, ‘For all that has been, thank you. For all that is to come, yes!’”
A coast-to-coast brotherhood
The boundaries of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe stretch from the wilderness of Alaska’s interior, to sunny Puerto Rico. From coast to coast, Franciscan friars across the United States, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Cuba are serving in a rich variety of ministries.
Advocating for justice and peace
Through their unified presence, the friars have amplified their ongoing efforts to pursue justice and peace for the poor and the marginalized, and to protect and preserve the environment.
Empowered by Faith to Lead the Way Forward
The future is bright! Earlier this year, friars, family and friends celebrated as four men professed solemn, or final, vows, in a public display of deepening their commitment to serving God and his people. Three men chose to be ordained as priests. And the friars welcomed four men as postulants, the first class of men to say “yes” to God as part of this new province.
What’s next?
What is next for the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe? To better understand how they can serve the people of God in the 21st century, the friars launched a Franciscan Provincial Synod earlier this year, beginning a process of discernment and dialogue with Poor Clares, Franciscan sisters, Secular Franciscans and partners-in-ministry.
These conversations are energizing the friars as they explore ways to fully live out their fraternity, mission, and charism in service to God and in compassionate outreach to the poor, the alienated, the marginalized, and the forgotten. The Franciscan Provincial Synod will carry this momentum forward through 2025.
As the friars look toward the future of Franciscan life, one thing is certain: the upcoming years will be an adventure guided by the Holy Spirit.
Celebrating the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe
As Provincial Minister Larry Hayes wrote, we are not in the same place where we were 365 days ago! Much has happened since our new province was born. Enjoy this look back at the past year.
With the collaboration of Kerting Baldwin
