It feels like an oxymoron to say, but I’m a friar intern.
For years, my primary focus has been my formation and study as a consecrated religious, but this summer, I felt the Lord lead me to an unexpected place: the office.
My typical day went from being somewhat regimented with prayer, school, and house chores, to a typical 9-5 in a downtown office building. I tried my best to merge the office with the oratory.
Here's my daily routine as a Capuchin intern:
Morning
I wake up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for prayer with the friars. Meditation and Lauds used to feel like chores, but now, I don’t feel ready for the day without them. I grab a quick breakfast and hop on the Metro.
Taking public transport provides some funny looks. I see it as a place to quietly evangelize by wearing my religious habit. A surprising number of people approach me asking what I’m wearing. I can share Christ with them more easily that way.
Taking the elevator up, I make it to the offices of EWTN. It's strange. Most of my assignments have been in church halls or on the street up until now. Any video I made before was just for fun. Now I’m producing content for one of the biggest Catholic news organizations in the world. I grab my coffee and take in the view of the Capitol.
Like a good Franciscan, I remember I am still but dust. I’m just dust who's working on the top floor.
Midday
I may be alone saying this, but the afternoon has some of the best parts of the workday here. The office has a Catholic chapel, and oftentimes, a priest will come in and celebrate Mass for all the employees!
The window of the chapel points to Capitol Hill, and it's a reminder to pray for our country.
Lunch and general chit-chatting follow. It's not emphasized enough, but priests and religious need non-priest friends too! It keeps us grounded in the reality of everyday people.
I then come back to the editing room and work on some projects for the news broadcast. It takes a great deal of intentionality to balance the flood of global information with the detachment a friar practices by his vows.
It can seem like a conflict of lifestyle, and that's because it is, but the Lord calls all of us to some interesting places if we listen.
Evening/Night:
When 5 p.m. hits, I clock out and hurry back to the Metro. I made a commitment to my Superior to be back for communal prayer, and I intend to keep it!
I usually have time to get from the office to the friary, say “hi” to the birds, and put down my bag upstairs. Dinner and sleep are all that are on my mind when I get home, but I also help run a Bible study at the parish.