Meet the Friars
For Fr. Alan Wilson, spiritual care of the sick, a traditional Capuchin ministry, has been an important part his life. Born and raised in Southern California, he graduated from St. Francis High School and joined the Order. His Capuchin formation took place with the Capuchins of the New York/New England Province. After ordination and two years of parish ministry he was assigned to St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Oregon as chaplain, and later served as a chaplain in Fresno, California. Currently he ministers at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, finding great joy in bringing spiritual comfort to the sick and their families, sometimes even using magic tricks and jokes to bring that comfort.
San Buenaventura Friary - San Francisco, CA
Fr. Alejandro Magallanes has faced a variety of challenges since entering the Capuchin Order in 1943. He has worked as a director of formation, a hospital chaplain, a retreat director, and pastor of a parish. In 1985 he faced one of his biggest challenges as he led the first group of Capuchin Missionaries from California to the remote town of Yécora, Sonora, their first mission in Northern Mexico. Fr. Alejandro continue to be an exemplary Capuchin at San Lorenzo Friary and Prayer Center even as he battles illness. He attributes all to God, and to the power of prayer
San Lorenzo Friary - Santa Ynez, CA
Br. Alexander Escalera says, “I’m a native Californian born in the Bay Area, from a very religious family. My parents would ask me as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up. I’m not sure what I answered but it was probably something like a doctor or policeman. My parents would then tease me that I was going to be a priest. I would answer no way. In the eighth grade at Catholic school, I was voted the most likely to become a priest in the class despite my protests." I received a degree in Criminal Justice and intended to become a probation or parole officer but that changed when my older brother joined the Capuchin Franciscans.
This made me think on whether or not I had a vocation. I talked to my parents, family, friends, pastor, and most importantly God. I began looking a various possibilities. Visiting my brother at the Capuchin friaries felt as if I were coming home. The spirit of hospitality, prayer, and joy was evident and it was something I wanted. In 2000 I entered the Capuchins and in the summer of 2008 I made my solemn vows. Currently I’m attending classes at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Thanks be to God.”
St. Conrad Friary, Capuchin House of Studies - Berkeley, CA
Fr. Bertram Mulligan cherishes both his Irish roots and his life in America. He combines the two as he roots each year for Notre Dame. In his many years in the US Fr. Bertram has always tried to follow the advice of St. Francis to treat each person with courtesy. He has also shown a willingness to go where he is needed, and has served in Oregon, Northern, Southern and Central California, as associate pastor, pastor, hospital chaplain, and guardian. He is a model of hospitality and prayerfulness, and continues to live these Franciscan virtues at the Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland, California.
c/o Mercy Retirement and Care Center
3431 Foothill Blvd. Room 358, Oakland, CA 94601
Fr. Robert Barbato always wanted to be a teacher when he was younger. When he attended St. Francis High School, he noticed that the Capuchins who taught there were friendly and joyful. Inspired by their example, and drawn to the Capuchin life of contemplation, he joined the Order in 1977 and hasn’t looked back since. He has served the Province in parochial ministry and chaplaincy as well as formation work. In 2004, however, he returned to school to work on a doctorate in spirituality. “I hope to bring the riches of our Catholic and Franciscan spiritual tradition to the world in a way that will be helpful to people in their everyday life,” he says. Presently he is Guardian of San Lorenzo in Santa Ynez.
“Twin brothers become twin Capuchins that is how the headline would read,” says Fr. Brian McKenna about the fact that both he and his twin brother, Fr. Jude, became friars in Ireland, despite promising careers in athletics. Both left Ireland to work for the Lord, Fr. Jude to Africa and Fr. Brian to Western America. Since then he has served in parishes and Oregon and California, as well as Yécora in Northern México. He and his twin brother keep in touch and reflect on their decision to be Capuchins. “It is now fifty years, and we are in search of TWIN replacements.
Any takers?
Our Lady of Angels - Burlingame, CA
Fr. Chris Thiel loves to contemplate God's creation, and even built his own telescope to admire some it more distant edges! Originally from Connecticut, he answered God's call to the Capuchins when he was a grad student at UC Santa Barbara. Once ordained, he served at St. Lawrence Brindisi in Watts and currently teaches at St Francis High School. Fr. Chris has many interests like Ham radio, playing the guitar and the oboe and learning to repair old clocks. In addition to teaching Math and Computer Science, he assists the Korean-speaking members of the Secular Franciscan Order in Los Angeles, and helps out at a local parish.
St. Francis High School - La Cañada-Flintridge, CA
Fr. Christopher Kearney began his Capuchin life in 1960 at Wilmington, DE. He studied philosophy at St Anthony College in Hudson, NH and Theology at Capuchin Theological Seminary in Garrison, NY. Presently he is the archivist for the Capuchin Province of Our Lady of Angels.
St. Conrad Friary, Capuchin House of Studies - Berkeley, CA
Fr. David Beaumont entered the Capuchin Order at the age of 18. Born in New York, he attended the diocesan minor seminary in Los Angeles before becoming a friar in 1978. He received a M.A. in Mystical Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and was ordained a priest on June 11, 1988. He served at St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish in Watts, and then as a chaplain at Valley Medical Center in Fresno, CA. Fr. David then came to México, where he still serves as a missionary in Yécora, Sonora. Aside from English and Spanish, he is fluent in the various Indigenous languages of the tribes in Sonora, including the Pimas, the Guarajíos, the Yaquis and the Mayos. He has a great love for the indigenous people and their cultures. He is currently also regional superior for northern México.
Hermanos Capuchinos - Yécora, Sonora - México
