Br. Francisco Javier Lopez, OFM Cap

Hometown:  Dominican Republic and Boston

Age: 30

Before Becoming a Friar:  "I used to flip houses, owned a shipping company called Misericordia Shipping Co and founded the Parvuli Mariae Sanctissimae Foundation in Boston. During my years in Boston I was dedicated to evangelization and integral human development. Living the Catholic faith with others through religious-charismatic experiences was part of my vision and mission as a disciple of Christ which has formed who I am today.”

Why I'm a Capuchin:  "At first I never wanted to join a religious order or be a Franciscan, but I felt called by Jesus Christ to follow Him in a concrete way, especially when a priest told me, “It’s not you who’s choosing God, but He is choosing you!” I then opened my heart to start discerning some type of consecrated life. Today, I thank God for giving me the grace to listen to his voice, be a part of the Franciscan Capuchin Order, and for giving me brothers who encourage me to want less of material things and more of God. The structure of prayer, fraternity, studies, and community life have helped me to place my life into God’s desires and wants in order to keep collaborating with His mission of love.”