On July 23, 2025, the Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana was blessed to have three of its members make their first profession of vows. The newly professed are Friars Justice AMOAH, John MENSAH and Cletus Agyemang PREMPEH. In addition, Friar Raphael SAWADOGO of the Provincial Delegation in Burkina Faso also made his first profession of vows. The ceremony took place at the Franciscan Valley of Prayer and Silence, in Saltpond, Ghana.

Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI, the Minister Provincial of the Mother Province of the Custody, the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy), was already in Ghana making a canonical visitation to the Custody. He presided over the Mass of Religious Profession and received the vows of the newly professed. In his homily, he exhorted the newly professed to see their vows not as a loss, but as a promise. He stressed that the vows are not sterile renunciations, but choices of love. They are the concrete way in which we say to the Lord: “I want to live like you, Jesus: poor, chaste, and obedient. I want to belong totally to you, to trust in you, and to let myself be sown.”
The Provincial Econom, Friar Andrea BOTTARO, was also present with Friar Roberto.
Others attending the celebration included the Provincial Custos, Friar Vitus Edem Yao MENSAH; a representative of the Delegation in Burkina Faso, Friar Christian SEOGO, numerous friars, including many student friars who animated the liturgy; family members of the newly professed; and some friends.
Best wishes to our newly professed friars as they navigate the ever-fresh waters of Franciscan Discipleship.

Friar Moses Kabenla ARTHUR, Novice Master