The Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe joyfully share news from St. Louis, where the friars gathered last month for a historic Chapter of Elections marked by prayer, fraternity, discernment, and hope.
As partners in Franciscan life and mission, we are grateful to share this moment with the many friends, collaborators, and communities who continue to accompany the province with prayer and support. During the Chapter from July 12-17, 2026, the first since the 2023 unification of five U.S. Franciscan provinces, more than 300 friars from across the country elected a new Provincial Administration, reflected on the life of the province, and looked together toward the future of Franciscan presence and service.
Welcoming New Provincial Leadership
“Brothers, we have a provincial: Michael Perry,” announced Br. Larry Ford, OFM, Chapter Secretary, on Wednesday. After a brief pause, cheers swept through the room. Applause followed, and the friars rose together in a standing ovation, giving thanks for the brother called to serve the province in this new moment.
Br. Michael Perry, OFM, was the first elected Provincial Minister of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, receiving an absolute majority of capitular votes. Visitator General and President of the Chapter Br. Teofil Czarniak, OFM, presented the provincial seal to Br. Michael, who received it with quiet reverence.
Br. Michael, director of the Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology at Siena University in Loudonville, New York, served the Order of Friars Minor as Minister General, the 120th successor of St. Francis of Assisi, from 2013 to 2021. He also previously served as Provincial Councilor and Provincial Minister for the legacy Sacred Heart Province.
After making an oath of fidelity to the Catholic Church and promising to ensure the observance of the Rule and Constitutions throughout the province, Br. Michael spoke with humility and gratitude. “I don’t deserve to be standing here,” he said. “Pray for me, please, and thank you for your trust and your love.”
Later, the friars elected Br. Erick López, OFM, as Provincial Vicar. Br. Erick who served on the first Provincial Council of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe and is based in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He also ministered for nearly nine years at St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland.
With his hand resting on the Book of Gospels, Br. Erick professed his belief in the doctrines of the Catholic Church with humility. “I promise to serve you with everything I have,” he said. Then, in Spanish, he added: “To my brothers in Puerto Rico, you touched my heart. Thank you.”
In these moments of profession and promise, the friars entrusted their new leaders to God’s grace and to the prayerful support of the wider Franciscan family.
Discerning Together in Fraternity
Beyond the elections, the Chapter offered the friars a grace-filled space for fraternity, reflection, and shared decision-making. They reviewed reports, discussed proposals, and considered priorities that will help shape the province’s mission in the years ahead. The conversations were lively and open, as friars shared hopes, concerns, and aspirations, often with moments of warmth, fraternity, and well-timed levity.
In addition to electing a Provincial Minister and Provincial Vicar, the capitulars also selected members of the Provincial Council, who will serve alongside the new administration in guiding the life and ministry of the province:
- Br. John Aherne, OFM
- Br. Peter Boegel, OFM
- Br. George Camacho, OFM
- Br. Henry Fulmer, OFM
- Br. Colin King, OFM
- Br. Roger Lopez, OFM
- Br. Rommel Perez Flores, OFM
Giving Thanks for Faithful Witness
As the Chapter concluded, the friars also turned with gratitude to the jubilarians whose decades of faithful service have helped shape the Franciscan life now being carried forward. Their witness offered a joyful reminder that every new beginning rests on the generosity, perseverance, and prayer of those who have said yes across many years.
Among those honored was Br. James Bok, OFM, who marked 50 years of priesthood and offered younger friars simple wisdom drawn from a lifetime of ministry: “Say yes to the unexpected.”
“I never planned or expected to be involved in any of the ministries that were mine,” he said. “It’s been an incredible and blessed ride, with someone else at the wheel. Brothers, say yes to the unexpected. The Holy Spirit is in it somewhere!”