Who We Are
We serve the Catholic Church as brothers and priests, devoting our lives to the search for God in a communal life of poverty, prayer, and service to others. Our province is only a small part of a great movement of women and men, filled with a passion for the Gospel, keeping the spirit of St. Francis alive all over the world.
He was a saint for all times.
Why We Love Francis
He preached peace in an era when life without war was unthinkable. He embraced the poor while others treated them with scorn. And he allied himself with nature centuries before humanity understood its connection to every living thing.
Friar Ministry
Some friars, like Fr. Roger Lopez, OFM, teach in high schools, forming the next generation of Catholic Christians. This “day in the life” video follows him as he balances life as an educator and priest, living in a prayerful community of Franciscans.
Friar Flashback
At St. Francis Seminary in the 1960s, young friars in formation pulled their own weight, making shoes and habits, cooking, cleaning, building and repairing, grooming the grounds while they also went to school.
Our Heritage
In 1844, a call to aid immigrants took friars 4,700 miles from their home in the Tyrolean Alps to a frontier city on the Ohio River. There they laid the foundations for the wide-ranging ministries of St. John the Baptist Province.
Back row: Fr. Bob Bruno, Fr. Roger Lopez, Br. John Barker and Fr. Page Polk
Front row: Provincial Minister Mark Soehner and Provincial Vicar William Farris
Our
Leadership
Reflections from our friars.
Friar Voices Blog
Jubilarians share expressions of gratitude
We asked the 2023 jubilarians to reflect on the question: “After all these years as a friar, what are you the most grateful for?” Here are their responses: Luis Aponte-Merced, OFM 25 Years Profession After 25 years as a professed friar, there are many...
It starts with “yes” from Fr. Mark
It all starts with a simple “yes,” one that is a risk on the future, a release of control. We are celebrating the jubilees of friars who have professed vows or been ordained to serve for 25, 50, 60, 65 and 70 years. I am certain that most of them as younger friars...
Lives of Faith and Service
In honor of Religious Brothers Day, four friars shared their inspiring vocation stories and what they love about their current ministries.
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