By Eli Pacheco 

Discerners experienced abundant Franciscan hospitality during a recent Vocation Discernment Weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida, despite significant ongoing repairs at St. Anthony Friary from damage sustained during Hurricane Milton.  

The friary staff and the Franciscan friars living there warmly welcomed the seven men considering Franciscan life, said Br. Tom Gallagher, OFM, guardian of St. Anthony Friary, home to a community of retired (but still active!) friars. The fraternity raced against the clock to host the event. Br. Tom said work was being done on rooms until the guests arrived. 

Damage from the storm was more extensive than anything Br. Tom has experienced in his 1.5 years at the friary.  

“The guys in the house say it was more intense than anyone remembers in terms of storms in the area,” said Br. Tom of Hurricane Milton’s strike on Oct. 9. 

The storm caused water damage to many bedrooms and public spaces and flooding in the basement. As repairs began, workers discovered termite damage to the building, too. 

“The termites were hungry,” Br. Tom said. “We’ve had locusts and floods. What’s next?”

Side-by-side photographs. On the left: damage to a roof above a window. On the right: A window and shades with a repaired ceiling and painted walls. There are photos on the wall and a flowerpot and lamp on the windowsill.

Before and after: On the left, the ceiling gave way under flood waters from the storm. On the right, ceilings were repaired in all rooms with damage there. (Photo courtesy of Br. Tom Gallagher, OFM)

'Here is how you respond’ 

The adversity the friars and staff overcame to make the Discernment Weekend – and a Provincial Council meeting just before it – possible wasn’t lost on Br. Basil Valente, OFM, executive director of vocations, who attended the gathering. 

"I told Tom, ‘I am always grateful when I come here. But this time, especially,’” Br. Basil said. “‘That in the middle of devastation, you did all you could with the other friars there to welcome these men.’  

“This weekend was so different in many ways. Mother Nature does this, and here is how you respond.” 

The outcome: overwhelmingly positive. As workers buzzed around the property and friars adjusted routines and living conditions to accommodate the work and their guests, the assemblage formed a unifying connection through shared meals, stories and wisdom. 

“The group coalesced and formed a nice little group among themselves,” Br. Tom said. “It worked out well.”

Two photographs; the one on the left shows water damage on a wall next to a window. The photo on the right shows repaired walls. Lamps, chairs, a cross and a framed photo are in the room.

Before and after: On the left, flood waters also damaged walls and floors. On the right, rooms got back to normal with repairs and a fresh coat of paint. (Photo courtesy of Br. Tom Gallagher, OFM)

What’s next? 

There was more work to do as the discerners departed. After dehumidifiers and other equipment were cleared, ceilings were repaired, and the friary got a bit of an upgrade. 

“Some friars got to choose new colors for their rooms and all kinds of fun things,” Br. Tom said. “The rooms were going to be repainted, so some said, ‘Maybe we can do a different color, then.’ Some rooms are better looking than they were before.”