Friar Franck-Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv., sent inquiries to two religious orders when he was discerning his call to religious life with the idea that he would trust whoever called him back first. A friar from the Shrine of St. Anthony was the first to call, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“I had no anxiety about ordination,” Fr. Franck-Lino said. “I worked hard, I took the classes, and I challenged myself. I’ve done so many things so I could be fully prepared for this ministry.”
Friar Franck-Lino was ordained to the priesthood exactly 12 years to the day after he first entered the community of Franciscan Friars Conventual. Setting the ordination date for July 19, 2025 felt like a divine providence moment, according to the new priest.
Prior to ordination, Fr. Franck-Lino completed a Master of Divinity at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio. He professed solemn vows with the Franciscan Friars Conventual in 2021 and was ordained a deacon in April 2024.
“People have seen my habit and they’ve called me ‘Father’ already, but ordination brings a spiritual change,” he said. “I’m looking forward to interacting with people in a whole new way – as a spiritual father in the Confessional and in a pastoral setting.” He added he will embrace an open-door policy modeled for him by a pastor in Atlanta. Parishioners seeking help will always be able to find it because the door will (literally) always be open.
Fr. Franck-Lino was born in Togo, West Africa and raised in Europe. About 20 years ago, his family moved to Richmond, Virginia where he first started to feel a call to religious life, particularly as a Franciscan.
“I’m a Franciscan first and a priest second,” he said. “I’m embracing the integration of my Franciscan spirituality and my priesthood.”