Friar Christopher, formerly Noah Watson of Paducah, evangelizes during a car ride in April 2026. COURTESY OF SR. SOPHIA VAN BRUNT
Hitchhiking to evangelize: Paducah-raised Poor Friar shares vocation testimony
BY FRIAR CHRISTOPHER OF THE LITTLE FRIARS AND LITTLE NUNS OF JESUS AND MARY, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
My name is Friar Christopher of the Little Friars and Little Nuns of Jesus and Mary, otherwise known as the Poor Friars. However, many of you may know me as Noah Watson, from St. Francis de Sales Parish in Paducah. I have been asked to share how I became a friar!
During high school, seeds of a vocation were planted in me, while I was attending a Youth 2000 retreat hosted at Brescia University. There, I first saw friars in real life, and at the time, I was especially struck by their joy and desire to help others.
After high school, I attended college at the University of Mississippi, eventually receiving a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. While I worked hard on my studies to gain knowledge, I lacked the fullness of peace that my heart desired, and so began studying more intentionally what God wanted for me. This, it turns out, was truly intelligent, since it’s written, “My son, do not forget my teaching… peace, will [it] bring you.” (Prov. 3:1-2)
In 2023, as a junior in college, I attended the SEEK conference, where I met the community which I am a part of today. One of the friars, Fr. Antonio, explained that they often hitchhiked in order to evangelize (cf. Luke 10:1-9; Acts 8:26-31), which intrigued me! Most deeply, though, I was impressed by his knowledge and love of the scriptures.
After that meeting in 2023, I visited them in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, where I later began my initial six-month experience in 2024. During this time, I was taught by the community, especially the founder Fr. Volantino Verde, how God speaks with exceptional clarity.
In April 2026, I received the tan habit, the “crown” haircut, and a new religious name: Friar Christopher.
I am currently 23 years old, and still in formation as a religious brother. According to the charism of my community, I now spend much time in prayer, like the early Carmelites, but I also go out into the world – often by hitchhiking two-by-two with another brother – to evangelize, like the early Franciscans. All this is in the imitation of Christ and his Apostles (cf. Matt. 10:9-10), as we strive to bring souls back to the sacraments, especially confession and Holy Communion. With the grace of God, I also hope to one day become a priest.
I thank God for the priests (most recently Fr. Gary Clark at St. Francis de Sales) and all the faithful of the Diocese of Owensboro who helped form me, as well as those who walked with me during college, and especially to the members of my community who have formed me as a friar. I am also thankful to my parents, siblings, and parish family at St. Francis de Sales for their support.
If you ever see us hitchhiking along the road, stop and give us a lift! We look forward to meeting you!
Learn more at https://poorfriars.org/.
Friar Christopher, formerly Noah Watson, who grew up at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Paducah, kneels during his novitiate investiture on April 14, 2026. COURTESY OF PFSGM
Originally printed in the September 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
