Nine young men from eight different states entered new stages of Capuchin-Franciscan initial formation with the Capuchin Province of Mid-America during the past three weeks. Most recently, Hank Fagnant of Denver; Jordan Schmeidler of Victoria KS; Julian Torres of Grand Island NE; and Montie Chavez of Los Lunas NM began initial formation by being accepted into the Order's postulancy program at Solanus Casey Friary at 5 University Drive in Colorado Springs. This was signified by their receiving Franciscan "tau" crosses from Fr. Christopher Popravak at Our Lady of Angels Church in Colorado Springs on Aug. 4. Two other young men who completed their postulancy at San Antonio Friary in Denver, entered the novitiate at San Lorenzo Friary in Santa Ynez CA on July 21. Fr. Popravak invested Br. Jordan Rojas from Hutto TX and Br. Logan Christopher from Elgin OK with the novice habit at the interprovincial novitiate in Santa Ynez. Br. Jason Moore, a native of Denver, and Br. Marshall Schmidt, native of Laramie WY, finished their novitiate in California and professed temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for three years. On behalf of the Church, Fr. Popravak received their vows at St. Patrick's Oratory in Denver on July 17. They will now continue formation with the Capuchins at St. Anthony of Padua Friary at Newton St. and Walsh Pl. in Denver. The following day at the same oratory, Fr. Popravak received the solemn or permanent vows of Br. Joseph Patrick Quinlan from Pennsauken NJ, who has been in initial formation with the Capuchins for eight of the past ten years. With solemn profession, Brother has now finished formation and has received his first assignment as vocation director for the Mid-American Province. He will be stationed at St. Conrad's Friary in Lawrence KS.