Friar Marco Follows God's Call

Bishop Angel San Casimiro and Friar Marco Umaña

Friar Marco Umaña is living out his vocation. About a week ago, he was ordained a deacon; some time in the not too distant future, he will be ordained a priest.

Angel San Casimiro – the Bishop of Alajuela – ordained Marco in front of a group of 400 well wishers (family, friends, and fellow friars) in Alajuela Costa Rica. Now as a deacon, Friar Marco will continue to serve others but in an expanded role. Whenever a child needs to be baptized, Friar Marco will be able to perform the baptism. Officiating marriages is another duty that falls into a deacon’s purview. Friar Marco – as deacon – will also preach the Gospel and through this act change countless lives.

As a Conventual Franciscan, Friar Marco's approach to life is already community-based. Wherever in the world they may be, Conventual Franciscan Friars are integrated into communities, providing pastoral care (as Friar Marco will now do in Alajuela and elsewhere), teaching and assisting in economic development amongst many other ministries.

(Sources of all related photos on webpage and homepage: Conventual Franciscan Friars Immaculate Conception Province Provincialgram and www.ofmconv.cr.)