The Friars of the Sick Poor of Los Angeles welcomed Brother Mark Charbel Quinto into their two-year novitiate program, investing him with the order’s black religious habit after he successfully completed a six-month postulancy. In addition, Father Rodolfo de Jesus Valenzuela made his first vows, which he will renew before professing perpetual vows.
The ceremony took place at Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino from Aug. 18 to Aug. 21.
The friars make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, while also making a fourth vow of self-sufficiency. To better understand the hardships of the poor, the friars are each responsible for their own finances, experiencing the day-to-day difficulties of financial management and stewardship.
Each friar through the guidance of the minister general decides on an apostolate according to his time, temperament and training.
Father Valenzuela is president and CEO of St. Camillus Health Clinic in San Luis, Arizona, and San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. The clinic is one of the friars’ ministries, which provides medical care to the poor and marginalized along the Arizona-California border. Brother Quinto currently serves as service coordinator at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach.
