Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Friar Luis Palacios. Here is a little bit about me:

Birthday: April 7, 1983
Saint Name’s Day: August 19 Saint Louis of Toulouse
Solemn Profession: January 13, 2018
Ordination date: June 22, 2018
Family: I was born in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico. My parents are Abraham and Carmen. I have three siblings: Ruth, Estela and Noe. I am the youngest.
Inspiration for religious life: I don’t remember hearing the word “vocation” until high school. At that time, I had a friend who was considering the priesthood. He used to ask me if I was being called, but it was kind of a joke since I was dating someone at the time. I had to take their question seriously a few years later when I went on a retreat. Can you imagine? I was not a church guy. However, I always accompanied my mom to church activities. Since high school I used to make my own money by working as a dancer and entertainer in small cruise ships in the Acapulco bay. I had my plans in life, but God had a plan for me. I met the Conventual Franciscans and I fall in love with the charisma of Saint Francis of Assisi. The community has helped me to grow daily in many several areas, human and spiritually, and most important to love myself and to continue to love the people of God. Every day, I continue to discover ways in how God keeps calling me, and my answer is always LOVE.
Favorite food: I eat like a Mexican -meaning everything- and I love trying new things. My favorites include: grilled shrimp, pozole, chilaquiles and tacos de asada.
Favorite book: Anything written about Spirituality of Imperfection.
Favorite movie: Free guy, with Ryan Reynolds; and all the Mexican movies with Cantinflas.
Favorite childhood memory: Playing “cops and thieves” with my friends in the street, and also we used to go fishing on the beach.
Favorite prayer or favorite way to pray: I love Franciscan Spirituality, a way of relating to God based on the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. Maybe it’s because I love simplicity as a way to pray in every moment of my life.
Favorite scripture passage: Gen 18, 3: “If I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, do not pass your servant by.”
Favorite singer or group: Frank Sinatra… “Come fly with me”. I really enjoy a band called MS of Sergio Lizárraga… “La Casita”. I have two favorite songs that speak for me: “Un puño de tierra” by Antonio Aguilar and “For good” by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.
Favorite part of ministry: Listening. I enjoy listening to people’s stories and seeing how God is working in their lives.
Currently reading: “Braving the wilderness. The quest for true belonging and the courage to stand alone” by Brené Brown, PhD, MSW.
Surprise fact: I always try to get better in horsemanship.
Hobbies or for fun: Doing things in the great outdoors: walking, hiking, traveling, discovering new places. I also love swimming.