↦ : Thomas; Vincent; Vianney; Giovanni; Christophe

Vincent McConnell, Novice

From the heart of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, to the enchanting landscapes of Killarney, Ireland, my vocational journey continues to unfold in unexpected and awe-inspiring ways.

Never could I have imagined that I would find myself studying in Ireland, escaping the harsh Canadian winter for a year. The experience has been nothing short of incredible. I reside in an international house, sharing the joys and challenges of this transformative path with novices from all corners of the globe. The camaraderie with my fellow brothers has added a unique dimension to this chapter of my life.

This year holds a special focus on prayer—a dedicated time to seek God, to delve into self-discovery, and to deepen my relationship with him. Since my arrival at the end of August, my prayer life has flourished, and my love for God has grown exponentially. The opportunities presented to me have allowed me to dedicate a year solely to the pursuit of understanding God and myself—an immense blessing that has enriched my spiritual journey.

Living in Ireland has not only provided respite from the Canadian winter but has also become a backdrop for an amazing and transformative period in my life. The unique blend of diverse perspectives within our international community has made every day a learning experience, and I am grateful for the bonds forged with my fellow novices.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Vincent McConnell

↦ : Paul Seo, OFM; Adam Thom; Donal O’Grady

Adam Thom, Postulant

My name is Adam Thom. I’m 24 years old from Lethbridge, AB. This path that I am on right now is the last one I ever thought I’d be on! I can’t say I ever seriously thought about religious life or the priesthood as a kid. It was never something on my mind and because of this, the day I felt the stirring of what I then discovered could be a call to one of these vocations, I was not only surprised, but afraid.

Why would God be asking me to walk this path? Why might he consider me for such a vocation? This is a question that I begged him to answer, and truthfully I am still awaiting his response. Nevertheless, I have set out on the journey to discover his will, and though there is a lot of discomfort and even pain in leaving all that I loved most behind, the fruits have been like nothing I could have imagined.

In the last couple of years that have followed since those first moments of feeling called, I have seen the horizons of life open up before me and God’s goodness has become revealed in the most simple and mundane of things. I am truly becoming a new person. Things I never thought I’d do, things I never thought I’d see, and enjoying things I never imagined one could enjoy. Like Saint Francis I can say that “what was once so bitter has become so sweet.” The humility of God and his glory which has been revealed to us only through his poverty, has ignited in me a hope that I think the world is so starving for today.

I left a life in which I spent everyday time with my best friends and worked independently traveling the world in a career I truly enjoyed, and I let go of what I thought to have planned so well for my life. Now I have realized that God surely knows me more than I know myself, even if that entails a way of living that I never could have imagined for myself.

This new life began as something that was filled with much uncertainty but has begun to turn into something that I never foresaw with a peace that is hard to put into words. It is not something with a feeling but pierces deeper than anything I’ve known. It doesn’t tell me to stay or go, but to be. It is the peace of knowing that God is present with me right now where I am, and wherever I go next, he will be there too.

Wherever God asks me to go next, I can say with confidence that this step is one that I know was his will. For it is in letting go of everything we love most, desire, and are comfortable with that we begin to discover the hidden riches of the goodness of God and the world around us begins to open up.

Though I do not know where I will end, I know that our blessed Lord will continue to lead me, and through faith and trust in Him, I will continue to discover his abundant goodness and love wherever I am.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year! May Our Lady keep you all safely wrapped in her mantle and the Christ child be in your hearts!

Peace and all good,
Adam Thom

Donal O’Grady, Postulant

Bonjour! My name is Donal O’Grady and I am one of the 2023-2024 postulants with the Franciscan Friars of Canada. I am originally from Pembroke, Ontario, which is a small city two hours northwest of Ottawa along the Ottawa River. I went to school in Ottawa at Algonquin College and lived and worked in Ottawa as a cartoon animator, helping produce cartoons for kids!

I didn’t know what God was calling me to specifically, but I had a feeling I was being called to religious life. Through the last couple of years, I have received regular spiritual direction, and one thing my director pointed out is that I was bringing up the topic of religious life quite frequently. Earlier this year, I emailed my information to an online lay-run Catholic group called Vocations Placement who sent my information to various religious groups in Canada and the USA. Not too long after I received an email from Brother Dan Gurnick, the Franciscan Vocations Director, inviting me to a Zoom call with other like-minded men who are discerning their vocation as well. From there I met with Brother Gerry Clyne in Ottawa, whom I was able to go for a walk with and talk about the faith. I was then invited to attend a “Come and See” meeting in Trois-Rivières where I was able to stay for a weekend and meet the postulants as well as some of the friars living there. From there Brother Dan asked if I was interested in applying for the postulancy program and the rest is history!

It was recommended to me to take note of little signs that God might be pointing me in a certain direction or another. One small sign I noticed for example was the Church I attended in Ottawa was called “St.Maurice” and the street name the friary is located at happens to be called “Boulevard de Saint Maurice”. Coincidence? Perhaps not! For some time in Ottawa, I had attended another church also called “St. Anthony of Padua” and the name of this friary is “Les Freres du Saint Antoine”!

I’ve enjoyed the hospitality of the friars here as that of the locals here in Trois Rivieres. I always wanted to learn French and experience French culture. This is my first experience going through a discernment process of this nature and it is interesting to do it in another province. Though I am still discerning I am grateful for this time to be part of the Franciscan life here and Trois-Rivières and take part in the daily prayer, mass and meals with the other Brothers. I believe God and St. Francis have a surprise for this world and he wants men like me to part of it!

Pax Christi!
Donal O’Grady