NFCYM staff member Scotty Van Horn recently sat down with Brother Dan Rey, OFM, to hear his inspiring vocation story.
In this interview, you will discover how Brother Dan witnessed a transformative experience at NCYC, which ignited the flame that led him to answer the call to religious life.
About Br. DAN
I’m Brother Dan Rey, an OFM novice Franciscan Friar originally from Chicago, currently undertaking my novitiate at Mission Santa Barbara in California.
Could you give us a brief overview of your journey as a religious brother?
I received my calling around December 6, 2019, to consider religious life, just a few weeks after NCYC in November. After a few sessions with my spiritual director, we decided that the OFM Friars was the best place for me to start my search for Religious Life. But in 2020, Covid hit, along with other personal struggles, extending the process of discernment and my application to enter the friars.
Before entering formation, I did some work with the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, serving at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, a soup kitchen for the poor community, for about a year. In August 2022, I started my postulancy program in Silver Spring, Maryland. Then in July 2023, I began my novitiate at Mission Santa Barbara, California.
How did attending NCYC influence your decision to become a religious brother?
Before NCYC, I have to admit, I was a little bit broken, coming from a broken family and experiencing broken relationships, which made it hard to see God’s blessings and feel His love, leading to a loss of purpose. I felt like a lost sheep, questioning where my shepherd was. Looking into the teachings of Pope Francis, I struggled to believe that God loves me, Jesus saves me, and Christ is alive.
The theme of NCYC in 2019, “blessed, broken, and given,” resonated deeply with me, helping me understand truths about being uniquely created, broken by worldly expectations, and given a purpose to live out a vocation.
As one of the keynote speakers, Sister Bethany Madonna, said, “We have to learn to say yes to all that we are and have,” which struck a chord in me due to my feeling of lostness. By the end of NCYC, I felt liberated, freed from doubt and fear of living a Christian life, and open to hearing God’s call to a vocation.
Were there any role models at NCYC that impacted your vocational journey?
What insights or lessons did you gain from attending NCYC?
At NCYC, I was struck by a passage from Scripture that urges us to become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. Witnessing the innocence, curiosity, and courage of the youth at the event reminded me of the purity and boldness we often lose as we grow older. Their spirit encouraged me to reestablish my own purity, strengthen my prayer life, and bravely discern my vocation.
One aspect of NCYC that particularly resonated with me was the tradition of trading hats and pins, symbolizing openness and sharing. I still cherish the hat I received, adorned with the inscription “Blessed, Broken, Given.”
What advice would you give young people attending NCYC this November?
One of my guiding principles is to listen humbly, speak kindly, and act boldly. At NCYC, you’ll likely feel inspired to make changes in various aspects of your life, whether it’s your prayer life, personal habits, family dynamics, or involvement in societal issues. You might even feel called to activism or service. But before taking action, it’s crucial to approach situations with humility, kindness, and courage.
Reflecting on the Franciscan tradition, I’m reminded of St. Francis’s parting words: “I have done my part. May God teach you yours.” This message underscores the importance of fulfilling our own responsibilities and paths, even when influenced by societal expectations or peer pressure.
Surrounding yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals can enhance your NCYC experience and reinforce your commitment to personal growth and transformation. Remember, this journey is about your own conversion, so don’t let others detract from your spiritual journey and aspirations.
