Bro. Bob Celebrates 25 Years of Solemn Profession
In early November, Bro. Bob, along with his surviving novitiate classmates, Bro. Randy Kin, OFM Conv., and Fr. Phil Ley, OFM Conv., celebrated his 25th jubilee of solemn profession at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio.
 
On August 3, 1984, Bro. Bob, Bro. Randy Kin, and the late Bro. Simon McHugh, professed their solemn vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at the Shrine in Carey. “When I was at Mount Saint Francis in the mid-‘80s, I found the Profession Book with my vows written in my own hand, and signed on the altar on that August evening.” Bro. Bob said. (When friars profess their vows, they write out their profession in their own hand in a Profession Book prior to the ceremony. The book is placed on the altar, and the friar signs his profession, which is witnessed by two friars and then signed by the Minister Provincial.) “When I looked at Fr. Juniper’s signature, I noticed that he had signed the book in this manner: ‘I accepted these vows joyfully. Juniper Cummings, OFM Conv.’”
Bro. Bob’s 25 years in the Franciscan order have taken him to Mt. St. Francis, Indiana, St. Louis, Missouri,Washington, DC, Mesilla Park, New Mexico, Bloomington, Minnesota and now to Franciscan Retreats in Prior Lake. Most of his time has been devoted to retreat ministry, though he did a brief stint as an editor for Liguori Publications, and served as friary administrator for our post-novitiate initial formation friary, St. Bonaventure Friary, in Washington, DC. | 