Staying true to Franciscan Ideals

Friar Masseo Gonzalez

 “There’s a great story about St. Francis where someone asks him, ‘Well, where is your monastery?’ And he says, ‘Come with me.’ And he takes him by the hand, and they walk all around the town and interact with the poor. They go back up the hill and St. Francis says, ‘That’s my monastery.’ So, in essence, the world.” Conventual Franciscan Friar Masseo Gonzalez tells this story to illustrate his commitment to his El Padrecito Ministry, in which he interacts with troubled teenagers, directing them towards education and away from violence and drugs. Friar Masseo can certainly relate to these young people.

Richmond, California

Hailing originally from Richmond, California – a San Francisco suburb – Friar Masseo Gonzalez was an outcast during his youth. He had a difficult time concentrating on his studies and eventually dropped out of high school. The year was 1980. Although he managed to get his General Equivalency Diploma and hold down a job, Masseo was still in a chaotic state.

St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, Reno, Nevada

Everything culminated in the accident: Masseo and a group of men had been drinking alcohol. A fist fight ensued and then a car chase along Highway 395. At the end, Masseo ended up trapped between two of the cars, the lower part of his right leg in need of amputation.

Returning to Richmond after his stay at the hospital, Masseo found a job as a computer operator. Life stabilized, but still wasn’t quite right. Masseo realized that he was experiencing a spiritual longing. The Church had never played a major part in his life; yet, somehow he found himself attending Mass on his own. He also met the Conventual Franciscans. The friars intrigued him and with them he found his vocation. It took three years of discernment to come to this realization. In 1996, Friar Masseo was also ordained.

Friar Masseo Gonzalez with his brother David

Friar Masseo Gonzalez is now an associate pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, Nevada. He has been at the parish for two years and continues working with young people. The story of Francis of Assisi is always in his heart.