Vocations
Welcome to the Vocations page for the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Barbara. We are excited that you found your way -- or should I say, were led by the Spirit? – to our website! I encourage you to explore the pages found within. Our website is not an exhaustive guide, but rather an invitation to "come and see."
It is our privilege and honor to journey with you on your path of discernment. Please fill out the request for more information and we will be happy to send you a general information packet and to be in contact with you.
May God bless you and keep you on this journey of faith called Life!
Peace and all good,
Brother Eric Pilarcik, OFM
Father Sebastian Sandoval, OFM
Father Vincent Nguyen, OFM
Vocations Team
Province of Saint Barbara
1500 34th Avenue, Oakland CA 94601
Phone: (510) 536-3722 x111
Email:
"The past is prologue. God is calling us to somewhere new, a place we do not yet recognize."
—Fr. Jose Carballo, OFM Former Minister General, 119th successor of St. Francis of Assisi
Discernment
The way in which our vocation is lived out takes on a variety of forms. Some of us are called specifically to religious life as a brother, sister, or priest. Some are called to diocesan priesthood or the deaconate. Others are called to marriage, and still others are called to life as a single man or woman. Each call is an expression of our shared vocation expressed above in the passage from the Gospel of Luke.
Formation
The process of initial formation (postulancy and novitiate) is the privileged time in which the candidates, with the special accompaniment of their directors and the formation fraternity, are initiated into the Order of Friars Minor to follow Jesus Christ according to the way of St. Francis of Assisi.
Vocational Events
Our Vocations Team, along with all the friars of the Province of St. Barbara, is here to support you in your path of discernment. We invite you to experience Franciscan discernment through a variety of opportunities: in a "Come and See" retreat; by joining a monthly discernment group; by immersing yourself in one of our outreach ministries to the poor. We can help you arrange any of these. In other words, we invite you to try on our way of life, test the stirrings of your heart...
Request Information
Thank you for requesting more information on the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Barbara. We are happy to send you general information on our Province, and will follow up with additional information on our community, prayer, and ministerial life.
Featured Focus
Brother James Lockman “Healing the Earth”
Brother James Lockman, ofm, currently works as a Senior Vegetation and Restoration Ecologist for a company that restores natural...
The Way of St. Francis
The Way of St. Francis is a full-color magazine published by the Franciscan Friars of California (OFM), three times...
OFM.FYI, the bi-weekly newsletter of the Franciscan Friars Province of Saint Barbara
OFM.FYI is published on the 1st and 15th of each month. It brings you news from across our province and...