Meet Our Vocation Director- Friar Andy Martinez

Friar Andy was born in Odessa, Texas and raised in the small town of Pecos, Texas with a population of around 9,000 people. He first encountered the Franciscans when he met a young friar and Bishop John Stowe while teaching a confirmation class at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in El Paso, Texas. Friar Andy was attracted to the friars because of their habit, the simplicity in their life, and sense of community. The friars would pray and have daily meals together in their home. He also liked the different opportunities that friars had for ministries, the friars ministered not only to parishes but to other ministries through the city and state. Friar Andy got ordained as a priest in July 2009 and served as the parish priest in LaGrange, Indiana. He later moved to El Paso, Texas where he was the campus minister for the Catholic Newman Center at The University of Texas at El Paso and began his ministry as Vocation Director for the southwest area of the United States. He is currently the formation director for the student friars in San Antonio, Texas and continues as vocation director. During his free time, Friar Andy enjoys cycling and driving through the neighborhood, taking walks in the park, and spending time in coffee shops. He ministers to all men interested in Franciscan life who live in Central and East Texas.