Friar Eric De La Pena Becomes Vocation Director

for Immaculate Conception Province

(left to right) Friar Justin Biase, Minister Provincial of Immaculate Conception Province,

and Friar Eric De La Pena

The life of a Conventual Franciscan friar is an adventure. Friars spend their lives serving others in a variety of enriching ministries that can take them across town to a different parish, across the country, or to another part of the planet.

Most recently, the vocation director for the North American Immaculate Conception Province – Friar Michael Lorentsen – left this ministry to pursue work in formation. This change in ministry required Friar Michael to move from Syracuse, New York to St. Bonaventure Friary in Forestville, Maryland. Friar Eric De La Pena – formerly the associate pastor at Holy Family Parish in Albany, New York – has now taken over from Friar Michael as vocation director for Immaculate Conception Province. The province’s vocations office remains in Syracuse.

Friar Michael Lorentsen

A friar for about 20 years and a priest for 16, Friar Michael Lorentsen originally hails from Long Island, New York. He had been working specifically in vocations since 1997. Here is how he describes his new ministry in formation: " I am co-director of the formation program for postulants and friars in initial formation at St. Bonaventure Friary in Forestville, MD. I am co-director with Brother Daniel Geary. Where I have been working with men who have been discerning their vocations, now I work with them as they begin their journey with us [the Order of Friars Minor Conventual]."  

Immaculate Conception Province’s new vocation director, Friar Eric De La Pena is a native of the Philippines where he went to high school and became a physical therapist. Yet, from early on as a child he always felt an attraction towards religious life. Deeply connected to his church community in his native country, Friar Eric nevertheless ignored that tug to pursue religious life for many years.

Friar Eric wants to engage young people

After completing his education as a physical therapist, he moved to New York City where he was able to work in his profession. Friar Eric’s job paid him handsomely. He was able to travel around the world and purchase whatever he desired. But this was not enough for Friar Eric. God was still calling him to religious life. And in 2000, Friar Eric responded to that call by entering the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. As soon as he did this, he felt a sense of peace. Now also an ordained priest, Friar Eric has excitedly begun his work as vocation director.

In this new role, Friar Eric will work with men who feel called to be Conventual Franciscan friars. His ministry however will also encompass a new project  - namely spreading awareness of St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan way of life. Traveling to the various parishes in Immaculate Conception Province, which are located in cities such as New York, Toronto, Albany, and Syracuse, Friar Eric plans on "forming Franciscan youth communities". Service to others, prayer, and taking care of creation are some of the values that Franciscans hold dear as they work in the world to improve the lives of others. Franciscan youth communities throughout Immaculate Conception Province will introduce young people to these values and energize them to serve the vulnerable. Young people will also form bonds of fraternity through various social events such as dinners and outings. Meanwhile, all along, their relationship with Jesus will grow.

(Sources of all related images on webpage and homepage: Conventual Franciscan friars, Friar Michael Lorentsen, and Friar Eric De La Pena.)