Franciscan Life is an Adventure

Friar Joachim Giermek

A man who begins discerning his vocation to the Order of Friars Minor Conventual might wonder what a friar’s life is like. Over time he learns that the friars live the Gospel in a community, without anything of their own, in obedience, and chastity. As he gets to know friars and their various life stories, he might possibly start to think that a friar’s life is also an adventure. Take Friar Joachim Giermek as an example.

Buffalo, New York

Born in 1943 in Buffalo, New York, Joachim felt the call to become a Conventual Franciscan friar. He started his Franciscan education at the Order’s Novitiate in Ellicott City, Maryland. By 1964, he was a solemnly professed friar with a Bachelor of Arts that he had completed in Granby, Massachusetts. A year later, Friar Joachim’s Franciscan adventure took him across the Atlantic Ocean to the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure in Rome, Italy. In this ancient capital Friar Joachim lived for five years during which he completed a Licentiate in Theology and was ordained to the priesthood. Friar Joachim’s ordination took place at the Basilica of SS. Apostoli in Rome, right next door to the OFM Conv.’s Generalate. Clearly drawn to intellectual life in true Franciscan tradition, Friar Joachim returned to the United States and became active in teaching and formation. His education continued at the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure (St. Bonaventure University, Olean, New York). Here he completed a Master’s degree in Franciscan Spirituality. Friar Joachim’s other intellectual endeavors at this time included a collaborative effort on a book featuring the works of William of Ockham and further studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Rome, Italy

In the 1980s, Friar Joachim’s life adventure took yet another turn. At his province’s 1982 Chapter he was elected to the Definitory as Provincial Secretary and Regent of Studies. A Chapter is a gathering of friars from a particular Conventual Franciscan jurisdiction or from the whole Order. At this gathering the friars elect their leaders, reflect on the work they have done in the last several years, and plan for the future.

A year after taking on the role of secretary and regent, Friar Joachim’s brothers elected him Assistant General for North America and England. Taking his responsibility over such an enormous area very seriously, Friar Joachim traveled all around England and North America; he met with friars and dealt with their concerns. In 1989, happy with his work, Friar Joachim’s brothers re-elected him to the same position.

London, England

In 2001, after having served as Assistant General and Vicar of the Order, Friar Joachim’s adventure took him even farther in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. This time his brothers elected Friar Joachim as Minister General, the 118th successor of St. Francis of Assisi. He filled this position until 2007 when Friar Marco Tasca was elected to succeed him.

Friars lead rich, fulfilling, and spiritual lives

Obviously God has chosen a unique path for each one of us. Every friar in the Order will not become Minister General. But the idea here is that, Franciscan life is intricate, exciting and intellectually stimulating. Friars pray, live the Gospel and use their talents to make the world a better place. Friar Joachim has certainly been doing so since he heard God’s call. If you are discerning your vocation to the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, you can be sure that if this is the life God wants for you, then it will be one that you will love dearly.

(Sources of related photos on webpage and homepage: www.capgenofmconv.org, stratushead's photostream on flickr.com www.wikipedia.org, Conventual Franciscans.)