It is at the heart of the Franciscan convent in Ljubljana, Slovenia, that Brother Filip Mlinar now exercises his ministry, following a journey marked by a quest for truth and the renunciation of purely secular ambitions. Originally from the parish of Horjul, this young religious comes from a family of six where faith was the foundation of daily life. Between communal prayers and constant dialogue with his parents, he describes a safe environment, conducive to the blossoming of a vocation that he nonetheless pondered for a long time.
The starting point of his commitment dates back to his childhood years. While he was an altar server in the fourth grade, a direct question from his parish priest in the sacristy sealed his destiny in an unexpected way. The priest had not asked who wished to become a priest, but who would become one. Faced with silence and general discomfort, the young Filip then replied: "Perhaps me." What was initially an evasion to break the awkwardness became an obsession, a seed planted in his heart that he could no longer ignore.
Yet, nothing initially destined this science enthusiast to the consecrated life. Passionate about physics, computer science, and technology, Filip Mlinar describes himself as a naturalist fascinated by the capacities of the human intellect. It was precisely through contact with these disciplines that he perceived the limits of pure reason. For him, faith begins where science ends, offering a perspective that technology cannot fill. This search for meaning led him to observe the Franciscans during Masses in Vič, where he was struck by the coherence between their teaching and their way of life.
His discernment was nourished by reading the lives of saints, particularly those of John Bosco and Francis of Assisi. It was in the example of the Poverello, whose entire life was directed toward the single goal of Heaven, that he found his model. This choice, however, was not without certain youthful prejudices. Brother Filip confesses that he long perceived diocesan priests as figures of authority who had to master everything, and religious brothers as men inclined to idleness. This pressure of "perfection" worried him, until he understood that Christ does not ask for extraordinary abilities, but total availability to His will.
His entry into the convent took place immediately after obtaining his high school diploma. The announcement to his family was precipitated by a provocative question from his younger brother during a dinner. While his mother welcomed the news with joy, his father was initially more reserved, reminding him that one can be a good Christian through honest work and regular practice. For Filip, however, the call was more radical: it was about leaving his own projects to dedicate himself entirely to God. His classmates, although surprised by a decision they struggled to understand, respected his choice, seeing in it a sincere desire to do good.
Today, integrated into community life, Brother Filip acknowledges being surprised by the central dimension of Franciscan fraternity. Far from the image he had of it, he discovered a way of life where one does not pursue one's own projects, but where members help each other in a common mission. Despite doubts that can sometimes arise in the face of the new challenges of religious life, he asserts that he finds nowhere else a comparable fullness to that provided by his current mission. He emphasizes the importance of the support of his community, where trust and dialogue allow for serene progress. For the young Franciscan, the essential thing remains to respond to the Lord's invitation, with the certainty that He always gives the necessary strength to the one He calls.