I. In my personal information, I said that I was " . . . affiliated with the Secular Franciscans." To state things more precisely, I was at the time in formation, having completed a period of inquiry, as the Secular Franciscan Order requires. Finally, last Saturday, 2 December 2006, I made my profession along with Dorothy Tremblay and Thomas Connors. A fourth candidate, Blanche Johnson, had been expected to join us but suddenly fell ill and was unable to. This was a shame: we had originally hoped to make our professions in early October, around the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on 4 October, but because of conflicts this was postponed until November. The November profession also turned out to be impossible, again because of conflicting schedules. We all eagerly awaited the December profession and so it was a sad irony that one of us was unable to participate in this ritual. This was especially so because we were blessed to have three priests, Fr. Richard McManus OFM, the Guardian of Old Mission Santa Barbara, along with Fr. Daniel Barica OFM, Pastor of St. Barbara's Parish and Fr. Jack Clark Robinson OFM, currently visiting here to do graduate studies in history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, concelebrate the Mass at our profession.

Still, in honor of those of us who completed the inquiry, formation and profession, I have posted pictures of the profession and following reception, which was held at the home of Lyn and Bob Carman, respectively our Minister and Formation Director. At the reception, some of us presented a short play to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego. My fellow newly-professed Secular Franciscan, Tom Connors, had the role of St. Juan Diego, Fr. McManus that of Bishop Zumarraga, Bob Carman the part of Uncle Bernardino, Bianca Castro the part of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and this cogitating writer served as narrator. Enjoy the pictures of the performance below! (And many thanks to fellow Franciscan Covenant member James Favre, for the photographs!)

II. Earlier, you read that one of our number fell ill and was unable to complete the profession. I am happy to report that the illness was not serious and that Blanche was able to play the part of Our Lady of Guadalupe in our play at another performance the very next day. She was also graced to have a personal profession this morning, 6 January 2007 here at the Old Mission Santa Barbara in the Serra Chapel. Unfortunately, only Fr. McManus was able to celebrate mass this time and the gala reception that was held at the home of the Carmans was replaced by our usual First Saturday morning meeting. Once again, though, there are photographs of the ceremony, taken once more by James Favre. Note Blanche's imitation of St. Paschal Baylon.