On Saturday, August 15, the Province welcomed five men into its Postulancy program at St. Bonaventure Friary in Loretto. After unloading their luggage, the five men participated in a Eucharistic Celebration for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with friars and family members. Later in the day following Evening Prayer, a cookout dinner was hosted by a number of friars from both Loretto and Steubenville. The group of postulants is the largest class since 2017. Their Postulant Director will be Br. Matthew Aubin, TOR who professed solemn vows two years ago.
Over the next nine months, the postulants will begin to learn about the Franciscan way of life as they strive to deepen their life of prayer and relationship with God. They will also engage in some ministries in the local area and enroll in philosophy and theology courses at Saint Francis University to supplement their initial formation. This class comprises three alumni from Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, one person from Good Shepherd Catholic Community, a parish staffed by Franciscan TORs in Colleyville, TX, with the final postulant coming from Virginia.
Ryan Ozymy, grew up in Ennis, TX. Always active in his faith, he encountered the Franciscan TOR’s during his studies at Franciscan University where he earned both an undergraduate and MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Witnessing the joy and fraternity of the friars at Franciscan U inspired Ryan to explore the community.
Jack Briggs, from New Carlisle, IN, attended Franciscan University where he graduated in 2023 with a BA in Clinical Psychology. For the last three years, Jack has been working for his alma mater as a graduate admissions counselor. During this time, he found himself being drawn towards the primary Franciscan TOR charism of ongoing conversion, through a deeper understanding of humility and penance.
James Leonard grew up in Murrells Inlet, SC. He entered the Catholic Church on Easter Vigil 2022. During his college years at Franciscan University, he fell deeper in love with his faith, desiring to share it with others as he earned a BA in Theology. He was also attracted towards the Franciscan TOR’s charism of ongoing conversion.
Ian Kempker was raised in Southlake, TX where his family belonged to Good Shepherd Catholic Church staffed by Franciscans TOR. After earning an Associate degree at Tarrant County Community College and engaging in a variety of jobs, Ian began to consider a religious vocation after experiencing a conversion back to the faith in his mid 20’s. The witness of the friars at Good Shepherd, their love of the parish community, and their depth of prayer appealed to Ian as something he desired for his own life.
Karson Bruce, attended James Madison University in his home town of Harrisonburg, VA, earning a BA in Drama and Theatre Education in 2024. Since then, he has worked as a leasing consultant for apartment building complex. Karson discovered the Franciscan TOR’s through a google search for religious life, and after exploring the website, found that he related to the charisms and ministry of the community.
Please continue to pray daily for these five new postulants, for transitions can be challenging at times. Pray that each fall deeper in love with our Lord God, with the Franciscan TOR way of life, with their studies and their new ministries. Please also continue to pray for all those Jesus is calling to discern religious life and the Franciscan TOR’s in particular, that many men may have the courage to discern honestly and have the courage to respond to Jesus’ invitation upon their heart. More information on vocations can be found at the website: franciscanstor.org.
l/r: 1st row: Ryan Ozymy, Ian Kempker, Karson Bruce
2nd row: James Leonard, Jack Briggs, Bro. Matthew Aubin, T.O.R., Director of Postulants
