Discerning a Franciscan Vocation

Welcome to the Vocation 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. One of your first questions may very well be, "What is discernment?" You can find some great information in The 7-Steps for the Discernment Process flyer.

We will be happy to send you more information and answer any questions you may have. Just fill out the form on this page to get in touch with us.

May God bless you and keep you on this journey of faith called Life!

Peace and all good,

Father Sebastian Sandoval, OFM
&
Ms. Georgina Salgado


Vocation Team
Province of Saint Barbara
1500 34th Avenue
Oakland CA 94601
Phone: 510-536-3722 x157 (Spanish & English)
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

Information Request Form










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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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...

Read More

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.

Read More

Featured Focus

0

Retreat Centers Reopening

Under the guidance of the Franciscan friars, retreats address a spiritual hunger in people of every faith tradition, especially...

Read more