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.
We are the Province of
St. John the Baptist
Living and proclaiming the Gospel is our goal. We do so as brothers to each other and to the world, living with and for the poor, promoting justice, peace and the care of creation, working with all women and men of good will and inviting them to share our Franciscan spirit. Facing our future with hope, we echo Francis of Assisi who said, “Let us begin again.”
Friar Flashback
“Our faith compels us to stand with the vulnerable, including our immigrant brothers and sisters. We have done so continually, but we must show our support and solidarity now in a special way. Now is the time for action.”
Our Heritage
Help us raise awareness, prayers and financial support for the friars in Syria, who continue to celebrate Mass, provide pastoral care and offer humanitarian aid – water, medicine, food and more – in the midst of this devastating conflict.
Br. Vince Delorenzo, Br. John Barker, Provincial Minister Mark Soehner, Provincial Vicar William Farris, Fr. Bob Bruno, and Fr. Page Polk
Our
Leadership
Reflections from our friars.
Friar Voices Blog
‘A sign of belonging’
“In wearing the habit I’ve always felt the call to be true to its meaning, to live as brothers, and to seek an inward conversion that we outwardly signal by wearing the habit. ” Fr. Bill Farris
Franciscan Joy: Preaching the Good News
When I preach I stress love: Christ loved us; he died for us. Not only love, but we are ONE with Christ. Like St. Paul says, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me,” says Fr. Joe Ricchini, OFM.
Personal restructuring for Lent
As Lent approaches, Fr. Mark Soehner is reflecting on personal priorities. While U.S. friars look to form a national province, “In my own life, I am asking the question, ‘What needs restructuring?’” He suggests we develop goals that lead to renewal in this “spiritual springtime.”
CONSIDER A FUTURE
WITH THE FRIARS
DONATE
Help us continue to serve the poor, care for the retired friars and support our seminarians.
LET US PRAY
FOR YOU