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Br.
Mark Francis Manzano, OP
One fond memory of mine is recalling a sermon I once heard about the
saints on a bright Sunday morning. In our church, high above the pews, were
several stained glass windows of various people – Francis of Assisi, Thérèse
of Lisieux, Anthony of Padua, and others. These were holy men and women who
served the Lord and the Church in both heroic and hidden ways. And as the
priest spoke, you could see the sunlight passing through and illuminating
the windows and casting light into the church. And then the words came: "A
saint is someone whom the Son shines through." Those words have stayed with
me and I have wanted to be a saint ever since; I want to spend my life
serving God and His people as they have done.
I was born and raised in southern California. I enjoy
playing piano, singing, strategy games, cards, and just about all things
Star Trek. In college I studied mathematics and was active in my parish with
music and youth ministry. My interest in religious life began in February of
2002 at a religious education congress. After reading a biography of St.
Francis of Assisi, I was fascinated with his life and how he lived the
Gospel in a radical, genuine way and how he inspired others to do the same.
So I did some research and was surprised: "These guys are still around?!" I
had never met any religious before. My pastors were diocesan priests and I
went through the public school system. Little did I know that I would be
wearing a habit a year-and-a-half later.
When I first discerned entering religious life, I looked
into joining the Franciscans. They had a history of serving the poor and the
forgotten, and were on the front lines of social justice issues. Some of
them were also teachers. I then looked at the Benedictines and fell in love
with the monastic life and sung choral office. When I looked at the
Dominicans, I found they had a healthy balance of the active life and
contemplative life. At the end of a year's discernment, I found myself drawn
to the Dominicans who have a saying about themselves - one foot in the
monastery, one foot in the world. I feel I can best serve the Lord, the
Church, and His people with these men who have made it their mission for the
last 800 years to praise, to bless, and to preach.
After initial formation, I plan to be involved in parish
ministry and the education of the youth.
Please support and pray for us!
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