Solemn Profession in the Province of St. Paul the Apostle in Colombia

On the 6th July,, 2025, the Friars Minor of the Franciscan Province of St. Paul the Apostle in Colombia, in the context of celebrating the VIII Centenary of the Canticle of the Creatures, experienced a moment of grace and joy by celebrating the Solemn Profession of their son and brother, Br. Richard Galindo Pantoja, OFM. The celebration took place together with the Poor Clares of the Monastery of St. Clare in Montenegro - Quindío, and with the friars of both Provinces of Colombia, family and friends of Br. Richard and other faithful of the People of God.  

The Eucharist was presided over by the Minister Provincial, Br. Richard Paúl Cortés López, OFM who, in his homily, emphasized the significance of the Franciscan vocation assumed through the definitive commitment of the friar, a journey that involves absolute generosity and total dedication to walk the path of the Gospel, built with the brothers, and which requires a firm commitment and permanent openness to the grace of the Lord who always remains faithful. "Dear Brother Richard - said the Minister Provincial - today you seal a pact of eternal love with the Lord. Embrace the Franciscan life with all its demands and promises. It is not an easy journey, but it is a journey of profound freedom and true joy. You join a family of siblings who will accompany you, support you and love you... your YES is our YES, your dedication is our hope".  

The entire Order of Friars Minor, and within it our Province of St. Paul the Apostle in Colombia, is filled with immense joy for this brother who has perpetually adhered to the Lord in our way of life, and we pray to the Lord of the harvest that he will continue to call many others to be willing to live the adventure of the Gospel as brothers and sisters of everything and everyone.  

May the Almighty and Supreme Good sustain and bring to fruition the vocation of our brother Richard; we entrust him to the maternal care of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and to the intercession of our Seraphic Fathers Francis and St Clare of Assisi. 

 To the praise and glory of the Most Holy Trinity! 

Br. Diego Andrés Martínez Forero, OFM