A day of new beginnings: the Claretian formation house of the USA-Canada Province welcomed two new members exploring the possibility of joining religious life. They also renewed the vows for Emmanuel Mejetal Tajok, CMF.
“It’s a moment of great joy to welcome young men who feel called to mission and are willing to dedicate time to discernment.”
– Fr. Francisco Javier Reyes, CMF, Prefect of Formation & Vocations
The two new candidates are Gaspar Fernando Vicente, 37, originally from Guatemala, and Juan Pablo Gutiérrez, 20, from California. “I was drawn to the Claretians because of their missionary heart, their closeness to the people, and their commitment to serving those most in need,” said Gutiérrez.
Vicente arrived in the United States at just 14 years old. For many years, his life centered on work to help support his family. It wasn’t until recently that he met Fr. Manuel Villalobos, CMF, and Fr. Gerardo Rodriguez, CMF, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Whatcom County, Washington. It’s there that he finally decided to answer the call. As he explains:
“God’s call was already in my heart, but I didn’t know which direction to take. When I met them, I saw how close they were to the community and I heard the beautiful, Word-centered way they preached. I felt I had found the path God was showing me.”
If you know someone interested in exploring religious life, invite them to visit www.beaclaretian.org.
Both candidates were welcomed in a ceremony held this past August 15 at Claret House, our formation house. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Paul Keller, Provincial, with members of the provincial council, formators, fellow Claretians, family, and friends in attendance.
During the ceremony welcoming new candidates and renewing the vows of students, each young man made a commitment that is proclaimed aloud before the gathered community and signed in their presence as well. The Claretians who are there also reaffirmed their own commitment to accompany and guide them. This beautiful tradition began just three years ago, and the candidates’ friends and family, along with the Claretian community, join in it.
“As formators, it fills us with emotion and calls us to responsibility as we accompany them in this process of listening to God’s voice and guiding them on their path.” – Fr. Javier Reyes
Fr. Javier explained that the formation process is holistic and integral, encompassing human, emotional, and affective dimensions, as well as the spiritual. It is “where they discover how God guides them and the Holy Spirit acts as the agent, with the student as the protagonist.”
Candidates also work in ministry and mission without setting aside academics, which includes college studies, philosophy, and an introduction to religious life, followed by theological studies after their novitiate. “It’s a long and challenging path of maturing in every area.”
Candidates participate daily in the sacraments—the Eucharist, prayerful reading of Scripture, Marian devotions—as well as in community life and the Claretian mission.
Around the world, the Claretian Missionaries number 3,000 professed religious priests and brothers. They serve in 72 countries on six continents. According to the 2026 Pontifical Yearbook, they currently rank 13th worldwide among men’s religious institutes.
We ask for your prayers for Gaspar, Juan Pablo, Emmanuel and all our Claretian brothers and priests. If you are interested or know someone interested in exploring religious life, visit www.beaclaretian.org.
