The Franciscan Friars: Who We Are

Greetings! I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Brother Mark, T.O.R. I hope that we can begin to build a meaningful friendship. Please be assured that the Franciscan Friars offer you many opportunities to join us in prayer throughout the year. It will be my special privilege to make sure that each and every one of your requests receives attention and fulfillment. I am confident that we will continue our important work together, and as partners, we will make a difference in the lives of the many people who benefit from our ministries. I look forward to hearing from you, and I’m eager to be of service to you. God bless you and thank you for all you do for Franciscan ministries.

	Your Franciscan Brother,

	Brother Mark, T.O.R.

Who We Are The Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular is a community of penitents founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. During its nearly 800 years of existence, the Order has dedicated itself to praying for the salvation of all, to promoting peace and justice for all people and all of God's creation, and to inviting others, through word and deed, to step off the path of sin and embrace the Way of the Lord. Our Order traces its formal foundation to the year 1221, when Saint Francis wrote his "First Letter to the Penitents," which constituted the first version of our Rule. The Third Order Regular is one of the three Orders created by Saint Francis during his lifetime. The others are the Friars Minor and the Second Franciscan Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares). Over the centuries, the Franciscans have travelled to every corner of the world to carry out our missions, and have established provinces, vice provinces, and delegations in fourteen countries. APYC—American Parish Youth Center, Inc. Founded in 1947 by the Franciscan Friars, T.O.R. and a group of dedicated laypeople, the original work of the APYC was to relieve the suffering of children in Europe left homeless by World War II. The APYC later opened an office in Cresson, Pennsylvania, and quickly expanded its work to help support sick and suffering children and their families, in all places where the Franciscan Friars, T.O.R., serve. The APYC is the official fundraising entity of the Franciscan Friars, T.O.R. Board of Directors: Bro. Mark McBride, T.O.R., President Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Secretary/Treasurer Most Rev. Ilija Zivkovic, T.O.R., Minister General Fr. Brian Miller, T.O.R., Member Mr. Dino Persio, Member What We Do “We pray! Like Francis, we are first and foremost called to deepen our union with God in Christ. Like the early TOR penitents, we seek to make God the most important reality of our lives. From our life of prayer all else flows." --from A Small Order, A Great Fraternity, by Fr. Bonnaventure Milidi, T.O.R. and Bro. John Paul McMahon, T.O.R. In addition to monasteries and churches, the Franciscan Friars perform the following ministries, among others: • Health care: Franciscan-administered hospitals, clinics, hospices, halfway houses for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics, nursing homes, dispensaries, and travelling missionary physicians and nurses. • Education: The Franciscans run dozens of educational institutions, ranging from elementary schools to universities. • Charity: The Franciscans work to distribute food and supplies to poor and remote communities and to improve standards of living. They administer foundations (such as the American Parish Youth Corporation) to facilitate the distribution of charitable funds and resources. Where We Serve The Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular has a total of sixteen provinces, vice provinces and delegations based in fourteen different countries. From these centers, Franciscans spread out over the world to serve in monasteries, parishes, schools, hospitals, and missions. • The Province of St. Francis of Assisi: founded 1448 from a community originating in the time of Saint Francis; based in Assisi, Italy. • Province of Sts. Joachim and Ann: founded 1448 from a community originating in the 13th century; re-formed 1536; based in Sicily, Italy. • Province of Saint Jerome: founded 1602 from a community originating in the 15th century; based in Croatia. • Province of the Immaculate Conception: founded 1906 from a community originating in the 14th century; based in Spain. • Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: founded 1908 from a community originating in Ireland in 1820; based in the United States. • Province of the Immaculate Conception: founded 1908 with the creation of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; based in the United States. • Province of Saint Thomas the Apostle: founded 1971 from a community originating in 1938; based in India. • Vice Province of Saint Francis: founded 1999 from the Province of Saint Thomas the Apostle; based in India. • Vice Province of Saint Joseph: founded 1982 from a community originating in 1923; based in South Africa. • Vice Province of Our Lady of Sri Lanka: founded 1982 from a community originating in 1868; based in Sri Lanka. • Vice Province of Our Lady of the Apparition: founded 1992 from a community originating in 1904; based in Brazil. • Vice Province of Saint Anthony: founded 1992 from a community originating in 1951; based in Paraguay. • Vice Province of Saint Mary of Guadalupe: founded 1997 from a community originating in 1963; based in Mexico and the United States. • Delegation of Our Lady of the Assumption: founded 1954 from a community originating in the 13th century; based in France. • Delegation of Saint John the Baptist: founded 1991 from a community originating in 1978; based in Sweden. • Delegation of Saint Bonaventure: founded 1999 from a community originating in the 1960’s; based in Bangladesh. The Story of St. Francis SAINT FRANCIS, CHARISMATIC PENITENT from A Small Order, a Great Fraternity by Fr. Bonnaventure Milidi, T.O.R. and Bro. John Paul McMahon, T.O.R. Francis of Assisi was not born a saint. The son of a wealthy merchant, he had time and money to host lavish banquets for young nobles who proclaimed him “King of Feasts.” Parties and selling cloth left Francis little time for God. In a war between Assisi and Perugia, Francis fought with youthful enthusiasm. He was wounded and taken prisoner. Spending the next year in a dungeon, he contracted malaria. Ransomed by his father, a more reflective Francis returned to Assisi. The military victories of Count Walter of Brienne revived Francis’ desire for knighthood. Under Brienne’s command, he hoped to win his favor and become a knight. On his way to join Brienne, Francis stopped in Spoleto and heard the shocking news of his death. Overcome by depression, his malaria returned. One night a mysterious voice asked him, “Who do you think can best reward you, the Master or the servant?” Francis answered, “The Master.” The voice continued, “Why do you leave the Master for the servant?” Francis realized the servant was Count Walter. He left Spoleto convinced God had spoken to him. During the next two years, Francis sensed an inner force that was preparing him for another change. The sight of lepers caused revulsion in the sensitive soul of Francis. One day while riding his horse, he came upon a leper. His first impulse was to throw him a coin and spur his horse on. Instead, Francis dismounted and embraced the leper. On his deathbed, he recalled the encounter as the crowning moment of his conversion: “What seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness of soul and body.” He became a charismatic penitent. The Brothers and Sisters of Penance see the pattern of gradual conversion that marked Francis’ spiritual journey as the defining characteristic or charism of the Third Order Regular. To read more... • Saint Francis, Charismatic Penitent • Events In the Life of Saint Francis • The Canticle of the Sun • The San Damiano Cross