From the Courthouse to the Court of Christ - Father Vince Mary Carrasco, OFM

From West Texas to the Altar: The Journey of Father Vinny, Capuchin Priest

Joyful, humble, and filled with gratitude—that’s how you’d describe Father Vince Mary OFM known as Father Vinny, a newly ordained Capuchin priest whose incredible story is a testament to the transformative power of God’s grace. Ordained on June 15, 2024, Father Vinny’s journey to priesthood is a winding road marked by God’s mercy, moments of profound spiritual awakening, and the unmistakable guidance of saints.

Here’s a look at his inspiring story.

A Seed Planted in Texas

Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, faith was part of Father Vinny’s life but not the center. “I didn’t know about novenas, devotions, or even the richness of the Mass,” he admitted. “For me, faith was just something we did on Sundays.”

Everything changed when his father experienced a profound conversion following a near-death motorcycle accident. Seeing his dad’s newfound devotion to Mass, Scripture, and prayer planted seeds in Father Vinny’s heart. Those seeds began to grow when he joined youth group.

“LifeTeen introduced me to the Eucharist and to Jesus in a way I’d never experienced before,” he said. Mission trips and retreats followed, sparking a love for service, simplicity, and also the priesthood.

Inklings and an Invitation

A mission trip to Honduras would prove pivotal. Immersed in the lives of families living in extreme poverty, Father Vinny was struck by their joy and faith. “They had so little, yet their joy was overwhelming. I realized the simplicity of their lives pointed directly to God.”

On that trip, he felt the first inklings of his vocation. “I heard this interior voice saying, ‘I want you to serve me with your hands and your heart as a priest.’” But like many young men, he hesitated, brushing off the experience as a fleeting thought.

A Detour Through Darkness

Vinny went on to college, hoping to pursue filmmaking, but the call to serve God never left him. Still, distractions came. Like many, he tried to fill the longing in his heart with fleeting pleasures. “I got involved in all kinds of things—parties, relationships, even brushes with the law.”

Even in these moments, God’s hand was at work, especially through the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “I will tell you the Blessed Mother sent down graces at this period of my life. It was so clear and obvious that God was protecting me through the Blessed Mother.”

An Encounter with Padre Pio

One night, Vinny woke up in a panic. An interior voice urged him to drive to a chapel two hours away, despite the pouring rain and the early hours. “I didn’t know why, but I felt like something was waiting for me there,” he recalled.

At the chapel, he was overwhelmed with peace. After a couple hours of prayer, Father wandered outside the chapel to check on the car and see the rising sun. Then, he noticed the scent of roses. Perplexed, he wandered back into the chapel following the smell. Inside, he discovered a large relic of the great St. Padre Pio. “I didn’t know much about Pio, but that moment changed everything. I began to research him and learned about his Capuchin fraternity.”

Soon after, he met a Capuchin friar who encouraged him to visit the community. By 2014, he entered the Capuchins’ candidacy program in Denver, Colorado, leaving behind his other aspirations to follow God’s will.

The Joy of Priesthood

Ordination day was a culmination of years of discernment, formation, and grace. “The moment the priests laid their hands on me, I could feel the Holy Spirit filling me,” he said. “It was an overwhelming sense of peace and joy, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

As a Capuchin priest, Father Vinny’s charism is rooted in joy and mercy. Father noted that many of the faithful struggle with a sense of shame, and expressed a desire to bring freedom and empowerment to all God’s children. “God doesn't want you to be wounded. God doesn't want you to be afraid and ashamed. He wants to heal you, and you can let him. Make that your prayer— Like God, I want you to heal me. I want you to free me from these chains of shame, these grips of fear.”

Advice for Those Discerning Their Vocation

Father Vinny’s story is a powerful reminder that God calls us as we are—wounded, imperfect, and searching. For those discerning their vocation, his advice is simple:

“Be not afraid. Don’t dismiss the idea that God could be calling you to something greater. Give Him a chance to make you happy, and He will.”

He also encourages us to lean on the saints for guidance. “Padre Pio, St. Francis, and St. John Paul II have walked with me every step of the way. Their lives remind me that holiness is possible, even in our brokenness.”

A Priest for Our Times

From a young man searching for meaning to a Capuchin priest overflowing with joy, Father Vinny’s journey is a testament to God’s relentless love. His life is now dedicated to serving others, bringing Christ’s mercy to the world, and pointing people to the joy that only God can give.

“God has done so much for me,” he said. “All I can do now is say, ‘Here I am, Lord. Use me.’”