By Br. Greg Plata, OFM 

Eight men from various states participated in a recent Come and See weekend, held in San Antonio, Texas, from Sept. 13 to 15. Br. Jeffery Jordan, OFM, eastern region vocation director, and I led the men through a weekend that included witness talks by friars serving in San Antonio and brothers in formation attending the Mexican American Catholic College and Oblate School of Theology. 

“This weekend gave me a lot of clarity into the Franciscan way of life,” said one discerner, who would like to apply to join the Order this year.

A group of friars and men in discernment sit in the pews of an old mission church and listen to the woman standing at the front of the room.

Nicky Mata, pilgrimage manager, El Camino de San Antonio Missions, explains the significance of the Franciscan Missions in San Antonio.  (Photo courtesy of Br. Greg Plata)

Walking El Camino de San Antonio Missions

On Friday night at Mission San José, several of the friars – including Brothers Ricky Madere, OFM, Tyler Harris, OFM, and Noé Alfaro, OFM – shared their vocation stories and what drew them to the Franciscans.  

Saturday morning introduced a new experience: walking El Camino de San Antonio Missions. Several of the OFM friars, including Br. Bill Minkel, OFM, one of the formators, or mentors, for simply professed friars, joined the discerners, along with Brothers Ricky and Tyler, and Capuchin and Conventual brothers.  

Over the past several years, the National Park Service and Archdiocese of San Antonio have collaborated in making a trail that links the San Antonio missions, following the San Antonio River. It complements the Camino de Santiago in Spain, which many consider the original “Camino.”

While there is much focus on the California missions established by St. Junípero Serra, the San Antonio missions were just as important in early evangelization, as explained by Nicky Mata, pilgrimage manager of El Camino de San Antonio Missions. Around 1718, five mission communities were founded along the San Antonio River. Under the domination of the Spanish Empire, these five missions were at the northern frontier of what was called “New Spain.” 

“The indigenous people who were in the missions wanted to be here, as they were nomadic and preyed upon by the Apaches," explained one discerner. "In the missions, they found food, protection, skills and faith."

“I have to say, visiting the missions and seeing the friars who serve there made a big impression on me,” said one discerner. 

The Conventual and Capuchin friars brought a unique dimension to the experience. As we walked, I explained some of the unique differences among each branch of the First Order. The OFMs (Order of Friars Minor, to which the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe belongs) offer a rich diversity of ministry opportunities.

“I really enjoyed hearing the story of Br. Scott (a Conventual friar)” said one discerner. “I enjoyed hearing about what drew him to the Franciscans.”

A group of 23 friars and men in discernment stand in front of the bronze doors of an old mission church.

Participants pose in front of Mission San José during the seven-mile journey. (Photo courtesy of Br. Greg Plata)

A rewarding experience

The day was hot and humid, with a necessary break at Mission San José. Participants took advantage of a self-guided tour of the mission before continuing along the camino to Mission San Juan Capistrano, ending at Mission San Francisco de la Espada. They walked about seven miles.  

The Camino ended at 2:30 p.m. After a respite, all gathered for the Vigil Mass at San Francisco de Espada. Following the liturgy – celebrated by me, along with Br. Noé who was ordained to the diaconate in April – everyone regrouped for a great Tex-Mex barbeque at Mission San José’s parish center. During the meal, Brothers Joe Rozansky, OFM, Kevin Lenihan, OFM, and Noé shared their vocation stories and insights with the participants. 

Sunday was encompassed with “wrap-up” talks. These included presentations on the friars’ formation process and understanding the vowed life, the latter presented by Br. Jeffery. After some basic questions for clarification, the weekend concluded with the popular Mariachi noon Mass at Mission San José, which I celebrated in Spanish.  

Are you called to become a Franciscan friar? Want to attend a Come and See Weekend? Contact us to begin your discernment with the Franciscans. 

– Br. Greg Plata, OFM, is director of vocations for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe