A gift of self: Br. Manuel Mendoza professes solemn vows

With gratitude in his heart and tears in his eyes, Br. Manuel Mendoza, OFM, professed his solemn vows as a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe on June 23 at Mission San Jose Church in San Antonio, Texas. Provincial Minister Br. Lawrence Hayes, OFM, presided at the Mass, and many other brothers were present to share Br. Manuel’s joy.  

“I just feel so wonderful right now and very thankful,” Br. Manuel said. “When Br. Larry was asking me questions during my solemn vows, it was very touching for me. When I answered ‘yes’ to his questions, it made me cry.”  

Provincial Minister Br. Larry Hayes, OFM, receives the vows of Br. Manuel Mendoza, OFM (Photo by Br. Jose Luis Peralta, OFM)

The culmination of a journey 

Br. Manuel’s path to the Franciscans illustrates that God’s timing doesn’t necessarily coincide with ours. Originally from Santa Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico (about 300 miles southeast of Mexico City), Br. Manuel recalls that at 12 years old, he wanted to become a missionary, to live a life of spirituality and service to others. At the time, though, he needed to finish high school, so those plans didn’t come to fruition.  

He met the Franciscans in Querétaro, Mexico, while searching for a spiritual director and was invited to explore friar life. Br. Manuel joined the province in Michoacán in 2014, before eventually moving to the United States, where he studied philosophy and theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.  

He was drawn to the Franciscans, said Br. Manuel, due to their public witness and example. “It was interesting for me in Mexico to see so many friars wearing their habit. I wanted to be like them – a person of service and prayer who loves others and helps them be closer to God.”  

Br. Manuel also relates to the Franciscans’ founder on a very personal level. Like St. Francis of Assisi, who faced his father’s wrath when he renounced his wealth to embrace a life of poverty, Br. Manuel’s decision to join the friars caused conflict between father and son.  

“My father was angry with me because my parents are indigenous people and have different traditions,” he said, noting that St. Francis’ experience, deep prayer life and relationship with God strengthened and inspired him on his faith journey.  

In San Antonio, Br. Manuel has shared his faith and Franciscan spirit in a variety of ways: ministering in charismatic renewal, teaching catechism and ACTS – Adoration, Community, Theology and Service, a project that strives to deepen parishioners’ relationships with God and others through conversations and activities during retreats. 

Br. Manuel Mendoza, OFM, poses for a picture. (Photo by Br. Jose Luis Peralta, OFM)

For God and neighbor  

During his homily at Br. Manuel’s solemn profession liturgy, Br. Larry reminded those gathered that “Our gift of self to God will be transformed by the Spirit and our gifts strengthened as we exercise them out of love of God and neighbor. Ultimately, it’s not about us. Rather, it’s about what God can do with, in and through us.”  

To Br. Manuel, he said, “In few minutes, you will make God’s heart sing for joy as you declare your resolve, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to spend your whole life generously in the love of your brothers and in service of the people of God. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for the gift you are to the Order and to the Church. May God bless you most abundantly and make you a blessing to countless others.”  

Following the liturgy, Br. Manuel was overcome with joy. “Right now, I don’t have many words,” he said. “I’m just very happy because of my solemn vows.”  

For now, Br. Manuel will remain in San Antonio, but will be moving to live with a group of friars in Tijuana, Mexico, soon. He anticipates spending a year there, and while unsure what his ministry will be, he trusts in God’s guidance and his brothers’ love.