Followers of St. Francis

By Janice Lane Palko

Growing into the Call to Religious Life

“You can think about a vocation, keeping it all in your head,” says Father Emanuel Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. schools. “During that time, I had the opportunity to interact with priests and seminarians, and I was invited to a Come “I remember watching videos about what it’s like to be a and See Retreat at St. John Seminary in Boston,” Father priest—and that’s fine—but there comes a moment when you Manny recalls. “This was a diocesan formation seminary, have to step out and experience what it may be like to live a and I kept sensing that I was being called to a community. I vocation.” Father Manny, as he is more commonly known, felt a natural connection to the Franciscan friars. I thought currently serves as associate pastor at St. Anne I needed to be in community with others, Parish in Columbus, Georgia. to have others to keep me accountable, and

Though he ministers in Georgia now, to have somewhat of a family life.” He also Father Manny’s spiritual journey began in the credits St. Anthony for drawing him to the Azores, the islands in the Atlantic off the coast Franciscans: “He is my patron and is most of Portugal, where his parents were born. In commonly known as St. Anthony of Padua, but 1971, his parents immigrated to New Bedford, he is actually Portuguese—from Lisbon.” Massachusetts, bringing with them their He approached the Franciscans who served deep Catholic faith, which they shared with at his parish in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and their children. Father Manny was born in the the vocational director extended an invitaUnited States. Father Emanuel tion for him to come and explore. “It felt like a

“I have two older sisters, and once I was Vasconcelos, OFM Conv first date,” Father Manny remembers. “I got all born and even before I was baptized, my parents took me to dressed up and went there, and it was wonderful. I felt so at Mass since they were both lectors,” says Father Manny. “My ease. I could be honest and be myself. There was no pressure, mom did the first reading, and then my dad handed me off and I came away very energized.” He became a Franciscan to my mom so that he could do the second reading.” postulant in August 2010 and began attending Washington

He attended Providence College in Rhode Island, which Theological Union in Washington, DC. His novitiate was was founded by in Mishawaka, Dominican fri- Indiana, and he ars. While there professed his first he began to think vows in July 2012. about becom- He graduated ing a priest. “I with a master of have always had divinity degree a desire to serve from Catholic and have found University of joy serving in America in May the Church,” says 2018 and was Father Manny. ordained a priest “I had helped in June 2018 in out with retreats Buffalo, New York. and had been “My family around dioc- was very supesan priests and portive; they saw Franciscans, but my calling before I wasn’t exactly Father Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv, marks a young parishioner’s forehead with ashes. I did,” says Father sure where I Manny, who would fit best. It was during my time at Providence and points out that, like him, his parents also had to grow into his interacting with others that I was able to grow, understand, vocation. “One day when I was home, I told my mom, ‘I’m and own my faith.” going to be a Franciscan,’” he recalls. “She exclaimed, ‘What?

While at Providence College, Father Manny got involved You’re going to Africa?’ I told her I could go to Africa, but in a program called PACT—Providence Alliance for Catholic that wasn’t my plan. In the Azores, the only Franciscans she Teachers—that allows participants to pursue a master’s knew of were the missionaries who visited their parish from in education and teach in Catholic elementary and high Angola or Mozambique.

At St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School, Father Manny joins in the fun during Mardi Gras in early 2020.

Father Manny celebrates Mass at St. Anne Church in Columbus, Georgia, where he is an associate pastor.

“I think when they came and met the friars, it put their minds at ease. I remember when I was leaving for Mishawaka being at the airport and my parents saying goodbye to me. The hugs they gave were an unspoken assurance that they were supportive of my vocation.”

Father Manny’s first assignment was to St. Anne’s Parish in Columbus, Georgia. “It was a nervous time for us as well as the parishioners. This was a new ministry, and we were the first friars to serve there, but it has been wonderful. I recall sitting at Mass one Sunday and looking out and realizing I knew the names of all those sitting in the pews.”

He also ministers at Columbus State University. In the heart of the Bible Belt, a Franciscan habit can sometimes cause confusion. “One of the Catholic students told me that one day when I was walking on campus she overheard two students talking, and one of the students said, ‘Dude, don’t look now, but there’s a pope walking toward you.’”

Having been ordained for three years, there is one thing that has made an impression on him. “What has surprised me is the level of trust that people give to you,” says Father Manny. “I’m honored. It’s not me. It’s that people need a priest.”

ST. ANTHONY BREAD

The National Shrine of St. Anthony is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Consecrated in 1889, it includes a first-class relic of St. Anthony and serves as a center for daily prayer and contemplation.

The Franciscan friars minister from the shrine. To help them in their work among the poor, you may send a monetary offering called St. Anthony Bread. Make checks or money orders payable to “Franciscans” and mail to the address below.

Every Tuesday, a Mass is offered for benefactors and petitioners at the shrine. To seek St. Anthony’s intercession, mail your petition to the address below. Petitions are taken to the shrine each week.

viSit our webSite to:

StAnthony.org

mAil poStAl communicAtionS to: St. Anthony Bread 1615 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45202-6498