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During the Archdiocese of Washington’s Corpus Christi Procession for Immigrants held on June 7, participants prayed before the Eucharist on a special altar created by St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, a community stewarded by Franciscan friars who advocate for and support migrants in many ways.  

A basket next to the altar held prayer intentions from immigrants too afraid of deportation to attend the procession. Also on display were the names and photos of parishioners and relatives of parishioners who have been detained by immigration authorities. The display’s photos served as a powerful reminder that beyond the immigration debates are humans, families and stories marked by faith, sacrifice and hope. 

Caring for the wounds of the world

Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, an immigrant from El Salvador and Bishop-elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, a child of Cuban immigrants, led the Eucharistic procession nearly 2 miles along D.C. streets. The St. Camillus altar, prepared by the parish’s Immigrant Support and Advocacy Network, was a stop on the route. The theme of the procession — “We are the Body of Christ caring for the wounds of the world” — highlighted the Church’s call to accompany vulnerable communities. 

Participants prayed for those who have been separated from their loved ones and for all families living with the pain and uncertainty caused by detention. The community prayed for God’s care of immigrants and renewed its commitment to accompany immigrants with compassion, dignity and solidarity. 

Organized by the Archdiocese’s Office of Justice and Peace, the procession was rooted in the Catholic belief that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. During a Eucharistic procession, the consecrated host is carried through streets or sacred spaces to witness Christ to the world.  

The “Catholic Standard,” the archdiocese’s official newspaper, covered the procession and efforts by St. Camillus Parish to honor the dignity of immigrants. Click here to read the article. 

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Read in English

San Antonio de Padua (1195–1231) es ampliamente conocido como el santo de las cosas perdidas, pero su legado va mucho más allá de esta fama. Fraile Franciscano, predicador reconocido y modelo de virtudes bíblicas, estuvo profundamente comprometido con los pobres y olvidados. Estas son las cualidades que lo han convertido en uno de los santos más queridos de la Iglesia. 

A menudo representado sosteniendo al Niño Jesús, un libro o un lirio, San Antonio es un símbolo de fe, humildad y confianza en la providencia de Dios. Hoy sigue ayudando a quienes lo invocan con sus oraciones desde el cielo. 

¿Sabías? Quince datos sobre san Antonio que quizá no conocías. 

Nacido como Fernando Martins de Bulhões el 15 de agosto de 1195 en Lisboa, Portugal, provenía de una familia acomodada, pero eligió una vida de fe desde joven. A los 15 años ingresó a la comunidad de los Canónigos Regulares en la Abadía de San Vicente, iniciando un camino que lo llevaría a la Orden Franciscana y a una vida dedicada a la predicación, el servicio y la evangelización. 

Reconociendo su talento, sus superiores lo enviaron a la Abadía de la Santa Cruz en Coímbra, donde pasó años estudiando teología, la Biblia y la tradición de la Iglesia. Fue ordenado sacerdote y más tarde encargado de huéspedes de la abadía, un rol que requería disciplina y hospitalidad. Aun así, sentía en su corazón el llamado a algo más. 

En 1219, Fernando conoció a cinco frailes Franciscanos que se dirigían a Marruecos para predicar la fe. Poco tiempo después, llegó la noticia de que habían sido martirizados, convirtiéndose en los primeros mártires Franciscanos. 

Al ver pasar sus cuerpos por Coímbra, Fernando quedó profundamente conmovido y pidió unirse a los Franciscanos: 

“Hermano, me gustaría vestir el hábito de su Orden si me prometen enviarme lo antes posible a la tierra de los sarracenos, para que pueda obtener la corona de los santos mártires.” 

Tomó el nombre de Antonio y soñaba con ser misionero. Viajó a Marruecos, pero enfermó gravemente y tuvo que regresar. Una tormenta desvió su barco hacia Sicilia, donde los frailes lo acogieron. 

Con el tiempo, se recuperó lo suficiente para asistir al Capítulo General de 1221 en Asís, conocido como el Capítulo de Pentecostés de las Esteras, ya que miles de frailes tuvieron que dormir en el suelo por falta de espacio. 

Después del capítulo, pidió formación en la vida Franciscana. Como no mencionó sus estudios, fue asignado a trabajar en la cocina de un hospicio en Forlí, Italia. 

Allí, en silencio y sencillez, se dedicó a rezar y estudiar. Pronto, sin embargo, su don para la predicación salió a la luz. 

¿Por qué es conocido San Antonio?   

Un momento decisivo llegó cuando, durante una ordenación en 1222, nadie se ofreció a predicar. Antonio fue elegido inesperadamente. 

Para sorpresa de todos, ofreció una homilía profundamente sabia y clara. Demostró un gran conocimiento de la teología y la Escritura, dejando una fuerte impresión en quienes lo escucharon. 

A partir de entonces, se convirtió en uno de los predicadores más solicitados de su tiempo. Recorrió Italia y Francia anunciando el Evangelio con claridad y valentía, denunciando injusticias y llamando a la conversión. 

Su capacidad de explicar la fe de manera sencilla llevó a San Francisco a confiarle la enseñanza de la teología a los frailes. Sabía que Antonio enseñaría con humildad y no desde el orgullo. 

Durante toda su vida, Antonio fue un ejemplo de pobreza y humildad Franciscana. 

También desempeñó distintos roles dentro de la Orden, incluyendo el de Ministro Provincial en el norte de Italia, donde vivió en Padua, la ciudad con la que hoy se le asocia. 

Su amor por los pobres era profundo. Su ministerio no era solo de palabras, sino de cercanía, cuidado y servicio. 

San Antonio murió el 13 de junio de 1231 a los 35 años. Fue canonizado al año siguiente, en uno de los procesos más rápidos en la historia de la Iglesia. 

En 1946, el papa Pío XII lo declaró Doctor de la Iglesia por su contribución teológica. 

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¿Qué día se celebra San Antonio? 

El 13 de junio. 

Es un día especial en la Iglesia Católica para honrar su vida y legado. 

¿Sabías que…? 

San Antonio también es patrono de:

Un novicio robó un libro de Antonio, pero después de que él rezara, lo devolvió y regresó a la vida Franciscana. Por eso se le conoce como el santo que encuentra lo perdido. 

Imagen: Antonio de Pereda y Salgado, San Antonio de Padua con el Niño Jesús (siglo XVII). Dominio público. 

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Leer en Español

St. Anthony of Padua (1195–1231) is widely known as the patron saint of lost things, but his legacy extends far beyond this claim to fame. A Franciscan friar, renowned preacher and model of Scripture virtues, he was deeply devoted to the poor and forgotten. These are the qualities that have made him one of the Church’s most beloved saints. 

Often depicted holding the Christ Child, a book or a lily, St. Anthony is a symbol of faith, humility and trust in God’s providence. He continues to assist people in need with his heavenly prayers. 

Born Fernando Martins de Bulhões on Aug. 15, 1195, in Lisbon, Portugal, Anthony came from a wealthy family but chose a life of religious piety early on. At 15, he joined the community of Canons Regular at the Abbey of St. Vincent, beginning a journey that would eventually lead him to the Franciscan Order and a life of preaching, service and evangelization. 

Recognizing his potential for study, his community sent him to the Abbey of the Holy Cross in Coimbra, Portugal, where he spent years immersed in theology, Scripture and the intellectual traditions of the Church. He was ordained to the priesthood and appointed the Abbey’s guest master, a role that required both hospitality and discipline. Yet, even in this structured life, Anthony felt called to something more.

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How St. Anthony became a Franciscan 

In 1219, Fernando encountered five Franciscan friars who were enroute to Morocco to preach the faith to the Muslim community. Less than a year later, news arrived that they had become the first martyrs of the Franciscan Order. As their bodies were processed through Coimbra, Fernando was so inspired by their witness that he went to a nearby hermitage and asked to join the Franciscans, saying:   
 
“Brother, I would gladly put on the habit of your Order if you would promise to send me as soon as possible to the land of the Saracens, that I may gain the crown of the holy martyrs.”  
 
He took the name Anthony after the patron of their hermitage, St. Anthony of Egypt, and hoped to become a missionary. He went to Morocco but fell seriously ill after a few months and tried to make his way home. Storms diverted his ship to Sicily, where the friars of Messina welcomed him and began nursing him back to health.  He was recovered enough to attend the Order’s General Chapter of 1221 in Assisi, also known as the Pentecost Chapter of Mats (because there was not enough housing for the 3,000 friars they were required to sleep on mats).  
 
After the Chapter, Anthony approached the Provincial Minister (the leader) of the province in Northern Italy and asked that he be instructed in the Franciscan life. He did not mention his prior theological education and so was assigned to work in the kitchen of the rural hospice of San Paolo near Forlì in Northern Italy. 

There, in quiet obscurity, he spent time praying and studying. It was not long before his extraordinary gift for preaching became known.  

What was St. Anthony known for?  

In a moment of truth that would shape his destiny, a young man once drawn to the solitude of prayer climbed to prominence with an extraordinary homily delivered during an ordination attended by Dominicans and Franciscans in 1222.   
 
When no one answered the provincial's request for a sermon, Anthony was chosen. Unknown to them, he was well-versed in Augustine and Franciscan philosophy. 

He revealed a remarkable depth of knowledge and clarity that surprised and inspired those who heard him. 

Anthony soon became one of the most sought-after preachers of his time. He traveled throughout Italy and France, proclaiming the Gospel with clarity and conviction, often addressing social injustices and calling people to repentance and renewal. 

The child's mother prayed and vowed to donate grain equivalent to her child's weight to help feed the poor if her child could be restored to life. After the child's recovery, she upheld this pledge, marking the earliest known instance of St. Anthony Bread offerings. 

Some parishes distribute blessed loaves of bread on the feast day of St. Anthony. “St. Anthony’s Bread” can also refer to these loaves.  

Did you know?   

Baffled by his inability to reach certain audiences, legend said that Anthony once preached to the fish in a river. Astonished onlookers are said to claim the fish appeared to gather at the shore and listen. At the end, Anthony blessed the fish, and they departed.  

How do I pray to St. Anthony for urgent help?   

People often turn to St. Anthony in moments of desperation, seeking his divine prayer not only to find misplaced possessions but also to find solace and guidance with life's challenges.  He is esteemed as a beacon of hope and a faithful companion in times of need. Here are some of the most common intercessions:   

For finding items   

“O Holy Saint Anthony, patron of lost things, I am in urgent need of your intercession. Please pray for me and help me find what I have lost. Through your prayers, may my need be granted. Amen.”   

For sickness   

“Kind Saint Anthony, I lay this sickness at your feet. Pray for divine healing, for restored strength and for comfort in pain. May the healing touch of Jesus reach every part of what’s broken. Amen.”   

For a miracle   

“O glorious Saint Anthony, you are known as the Wonderworker, the patron of those in need and the finder of lost things. With confidence in your unfailing intercession, I come to you with a heart full of hope, seeking an urgent miracle in my life. Hear my plea and present it before the Lord with your fervent prayers. (Mention your request here.) Through your love for the Christ Child and your unwavering trust in God’s providence, I trust that my petition will be granted according to His holy will. Saint Anthony, I beg you to assist me in my hour of need. Let your compassionate heart move the heavens to bring swift resolution to my struggles. Amen.”   

Did you know?   

A novice once stole a psalms book from Anthony as he left the Order. Anthony prayed for its return, and the man returned his property – and rejoined the Franciscans. Thus, Anthony became the finder of lost things.  

Image: Antonio de Pereda y Salgado, “Saint Anthony of Padua with the Christ Child” (17th century), detail. Public domain via Wikimedia Commons. 

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The Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe are proud to co-sponsor the upcoming Zoom event “Magnifica Humanitas: Disarming AI, Being Fully Human, and Integral Ecology.” 

Pope Leo's powerful new encyclical invites each of us into a conversation about how to be most fully human in a world where AI is growing at an unchecked rate, elite and non-state actors control data, and the common good is not prioritized. Kim Daniels, JD, from Georgetown, Scott Hurd from Catholic Charities USA, Nichole Flores, PhD, from University of Virginia, and Paul Schrez, PhD, from Notre Dame will help us to consider deeper questions about our relationships with God, each other, creation, and technology. 

The call will take place June 9 at 7 p.m. Eastern / 4 p.m. Pacific and will include live interpretation in Spanish. All are welcome.  Register here! 

Magnifica Humanitas: Desarmando la IA, siendo plenamente humanos y ecología integral 

La Provincia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe se enorgullece de patrocinar el próximo evento de Catholic Climate Covenant a través de Zoom, titulado “Magnifica Humanitas: Desarmando la IA, siendo plenamente humanos y ecología integral”. 

En su poderosa nueva encíclica, Magnifica Humanitas, el Papa León nos invita a un diálogo sobre cómo ser plenamente humanos en un mundo donde la inteligencia artificial crece en un ritmo desenfrenado, donde las élites y los actores no estatales controlan los datos, y donde no se prioriza el bien común. Kim Daniels, JD de Georgetown, Scott Hurd de Catholic Charities USA, Nichole Flores, PhD, de la Universidad de Virginia, y Paul Schrez, PhD de Notre Dame nos ayudarán a reflexionar sobre cuestiones profundas acerca de nuestras relaciones con Dios, con los demás, con la creación y con la tecnología. 

La sesión se llevará a cabo el 9 de junio a las 7:00 p. m. (hora del Este) / 4:00 p. m. (hora del Pacífico) e incluirá interpretación simultánea al español. Todos son bienvenidos. ¡Inscríbase aquí! 
 

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As we recently announced, the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry is launching a province-wide pilot program that begins September 2026 and continues through June 2027.    

Pilot sites will be supported by a friar and two young adult leaders participating in our leadership formation pipeline. This pivotal opportunity will strengthen belonging, deepen faith, form leaders, and foster a culture of vocation and mission.  Participants will not simply receive a program; they will co-create a Franciscan model for ministry with youth and young adults. 

How to apply 

If your ministry is ready to take this step, we invite you to apply to become a pilot site for this year’s launch by August 1.  

To apply, contact:  
Christopher Rivera  
Director, Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry  
crivera@friars.us

Our pilot program fills the gap from moments to mission  

Our Franciscan model for ministry is rooted in a distinct pathway for discipleship: Encounter → Accompaniment → Formation → Mission.   

Across the province, young people are encountering welcome, belonging, and authentic Franciscan life. Yet a consistent gap remains; too often, there is no clear next step.   

Our discipleship pathway responds by creating a relational journey, not just a series of events, that invites young people to:

• Encounter God in authentic community

• Be accompanied by real relationships

• Grow in formation rooted in Gospel and Franciscan life

• Be sent on mission through leadership and service

Looking Ahead

[]

Fr. Harold Geers, OFM, 93, a missionary friar with a humble heart, passed away on June 2, 2026, due to complications from pneumonia. For more than 60 years, he lived in the Philippines, bringing the message of the Gospel to rural communities. He also co-founded the Franciscan Handmaids of the Lord (FHL), a religious community of women dedicated to spiritual, educational and social missions across the Philippines. 

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Philippines on June 6 at 2 p.m. at the FHL Chapel in Mt. La Verna, officiated by his friend, Most Reverend John F. Du, Archbishop of Palo in Leyte.  

Fr. Harold was born on Sept. 23, 1932, in Cincinnati, to Joseph and Lauretta (Stolz) Geers. His father worked with his hands, fabricating and repairing metal objects as a tinner, and his mother took care of the household, which included Harold and his four siblings.  His parents enrolled him at St. Clement Catholic School, followed by St. Francis High School Seminary, both in Cincinnati. He made simple vows on Aug. 16, 1952, professed solemn vows on Aug. 16, 1955, and was ordained a priest on June 7, 1960. He briefly served at Sacred Heart Parish in Farmington, New Mexico, and St. Louis Parish in Batesville, Indiana. Then in 1962, he became a missionary assigned to the Philippines. 

He learned to speak and write Cebuano and Waray fluently. Cebuano is a commonly spoken native language in the Philippines and Waray is one of the major regional languages of the Philippines. He even published a book about the Mass in Waray and a book about the Stations of the Cross in both Waray and Cebuano.   

He spent 64 years in Leyte, the eighth-largest island in the Philippine archipelago. As a missionary priest, he served at various rural parishes in the role of pastor or associate pastor. Part of his legacy includes the construction of a new church and parish hall in Maripipi, Leyte, and a new chapel in Almeria, Leyte.  

In a video interview from 2013, he described his missionary outreach as wanting to “uplift and teach” the people he encountered. However, he also spoke about the importance of listening and learning from others. “To really enculturate, you have to spend years learning the culture of the people, the thinking process, the relationship process of the people you’re serving,” he said. 

In that same video, he spoke of a scripture passage he holds close to his heart. 

“I like the words of St. Paul to the Romans. ‘If we’re living or dying, we belong to the Lord.’ I think that’s a beautiful statement,” said Fr. Harold. 

Fr. Harold’s last assignment was as spiritual father and chaplain to the Franciscan Handmaids of the Lord in Palo, Leyte. He is predeceased by his parents, siblings, and the late Fr. Frank Geers, OFM, a cousin. He is survived by 16 nieces and nephews, as well as the Franciscan Handmaids of the Lord and his brother friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

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In his early 30s, a South Korean immigrant arrived in the U.S. and decided to become Catholic. To symbolize a new life in Christ, he looked for a new name among the saints and chose Francis.  

“My birthday is October 4, and so I decided on Francis for my new name,” said Br. Francis Kim, OFM, a friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

He yearned to learn more about his namesake and began to read books about him. 

“As I studied St. Francis, little by little, I began to fall in love with him,” said Br. Francis. 

His destiny began to unfold as he discovered his purpose in life: to become a Franciscan and serve the poor in the most remote areas of the world. This path, inspired by the missionary zeal of St. Francis, has led to both joy and hardships, including prison time in China.  

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Meeting a Franciscan 

He had one obstacle to overcome before following in the footsteps of Francis. He had never met a Franciscan.  

He picked up the Yellow Pages – a printed telephone directory – in hopes of finding a Franciscan church in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.  

“The lady who answered the phone said, ‘Oh, we are not a Franciscan church, but I know of one.’ Then, she gave me the phone number for St. Anthony Shrine on Arch Street in Boston,” said Br. Francis. 

He professed solemn vows in 1993 and was ordained a priest in 1996. Soon after, he started serving at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Midtown Manhattan, where he celebrated the parish’s first Korean Mass. While ministering to the growing Korean community there, he traveled overseas for his first mission trip.   

Br. Francis has been a missionary for 30 years. This video shows his heart for mission that includes building a new school and clinic in Madagascar and providing clean drinking water to villages in Kenya and Tanzania.

Feeding refugees in China 

He soon arrived in China to work on a farm and feed refugees. 

“North Korea had a famine, and a lot of people were starving to death. Helping North Korean refugees was illegal in China so I was arrested several times. I was even imprisoned a couple times, and then I was deported by the Chinese government,” said Br. Francis. 

He described prison as “terrible.” 

“I couldn't sleep or eat. We had about eight people in one small room together, and a bright light on us so they could watch us 24 hours,” said Br. Francis. 

He then traveled to Russia on mission trips to help North Korean refugees there. However, when that was no longer possible, he found new places for missionary work. 

For many years, he has been traveling to countries in East Africa, such as Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar and Ethiopia. He has built schools and drilled wells for clean drinking water and irrigation. His work includes raising funds, hiring workers and supervising projects to ensure the plans are completed properly.  

“In Madagascar, people cannot even find muddy water. You need to travel all day long just to find five gallons of muddy water,” said Br. Francis. 

During his most recent mission trip to Tanzania this past January, he checked on a new well and a greenhouse built for friars who serve in the area. He also visited Kenya to see a project he helped raise funds for at a seminary in Nairobi. On his next mission trip, he is planning to visit Ethiopia to build wells and housing.

“It costs about $10,000 to drill one borehole for a well and that includes the pump. Once you make that, about three thousand people in a village will drink that water,” said Br. Francis. 

The funding comes from friends and donors in the Catholic Korean community. He also serves as a spiritual assistant to Korean-speaking Secular Franciscans in the U.S. and Canada. He has helped to establish about 30 different Secular Franciscan fraternities. 

Finding peace 

When he is not on a mission trip or leading retreats in the U.S., he can be found at a friary in New Jersey, spending time in prayer and fellowship. However, even at 76, he is vigilant not to become complacent. 

“I feel I must do something to help people. I saw the need in the beginning with the North Korean refugees, how people suffer from starvation, sickness, lack of water and lack of clothing,” said Br. Francis. 

“I find peace by praying and working. I need balance. I need both,” added Br. Francis, echoing similar words spoken by his namesake and inspiration, St. Francis of Assisi. 

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The Franciscan Challenge, the flagship fundraising campaign of Franciscan Friars Charities, has launched its Spring 2026 campaign, featuring stirring footage and testimonials from Franciscan ministries across the U.S. and Jamaica.   

Those who receive the six Challenge videos via email or social media will have the chance to see and hear from those who rely on the friars for food, medicine, spiritual guidance and other necessities. Those who accept the Challenge can see how impactful their gifts can be. 

The stories featured in the Spring 2026 Franciscan Challenge come from:  

Negril and Revival, Jamaica 

The friars inspired the purchase of a 29-passenger bus now central to the Get Kids to School program, which provides students who weren’t attending school due to the costs of uniforms, books and taxi fare with free school supplies and round-trip transportation to school. In the nearby settlement of Revival, the friars provide access to poverty-breaking education at the Revival Catholic Primary School. 

“It's not just a school,” said Kemar, a Revival School parent and PTA member. “It’s a part of the community and part of a family.”  

With continued donor support, the friars will soon open the Revival Catholic Pre-School, where, for the first time, area children ages 3 to 6 will receive the essential foundations for social, emotional and cognitive development.   

“Studies show that if you don’t support early childhood development – if kids are touching a book for the first time in grade one – you’re setting them back,” said Br. Colin King, OFM.   

In Revival, the friars have also partnered with Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness to open the Revival Health Clinic, where a licensed doctor and nurse provide wellness checks, wound care, cancer screenings, eye exams, blood pressure and glucose tests and diabetes assessments. 

Hartford, Connecticut 

In Hartford, where many families, workers and people experiencing homelessness struggle to find healthy food close to home, the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry is a steady presence of hope. Connected to St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Church, the ministry serves the poor and hungry with compassion and care. 

Philadelphia 

St. Francis Inn provides food, clothing, spiritual guidance and job assistance to more than 200 guests each day.   

“Our guests tend to struggle with severe addiction and mental illness,” said Br. John Neuffer, OFM. “So, it’s not so much expensive food costs that drive people to us, but rather the fact that guests have no money for food regardless of cost.” 

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Cincinnati 

St. Francis Seraph Ministries in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood provides life-changing resources. At St. Francis Seraph Ministries, no one is turned away, and kindness is happily shared. 

“I don't know what we’d do without this place,” shared Anita, a guest. “It’s just a beacon for us. Br. Dave Crank was so warm when I first met him. I thought he was like my best friend. I told him my name maybe once, and he remembered my name!” 

Navajo Nation in Arizona 

People in the remote town of Chinle lack clean water, healthy food choices, employment opportunities and access to spiritual guidance. At Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Br. P.J. Pabatao, OFM, ministers to the community with a food bank, community gatherings and culturally sensitive worship services. 

Funds raised by The Franciscan Challenge will help support the featured ministries and more than 7.2 million women, children and men who come to the friars for help annually. They will also help to educate young friars and care for retired and elder friars who have served so many for so long. 

Women of the Ministries 

This year's Challenge also features a collection of testimonials from women who visit and volunteer at Franciscan ministries. They share powerful stories of struggle, resilience and hope come from major U.S. cities, their suburbs and Puerto Rico. 

Those with Franciscan hearts can accept the Spring 2026 Franciscan Challenge and help the friars provide care to those in need on the Franciscan Friars Charities website. 

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During this Year of St. Francis, pilgrims are drawn back to the places where the Little Poor One and St. Clare nurtured their faith. These sites are unmistakably Franciscan: modest chapels easily missed, basilicas built to remember, and hillsides that still invite a slower way of walking in a hurried world.  

A Franciscan pilgrimage is about more than collecting souvenirs; it’s about moving intentionally, allowing humble, sacred places to awaken and guide your soul.    

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Assisi: Center of the Franciscan pilgrimage  

In Assisi, the Franciscan story unfolds at a walkable pace. Rather than rushing between landmarks, pilgrims experience an unhurried journey into the deepening legacy of the Franciscan way of life. 

The journey often begins at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, where pilgrims arrive at the saint’s tomb. The crypt invites quiet reflection on a life shaped by simplicity – a beggar’s existence rooted in faith and prayer. It feels less like an ending than an orientation, setting an attentive tone for all that follows.  

A short walk away is the Basilica of St. Clare. St. Clare rests there alongside the San Damiano Cross, before which Francis once prayed – and listened – at the dawn of the Order. Clare was not merely Francis’s follower, but his contemporary and central shaper of the Franciscan movement. This place testifies that their witness was never solitary but born of shared spirit and a common response to the Gospel.  

That shared faith found its voice at nearby San Damiano, where Francis heard the call to “Rebuild my Church,” and where Clare later founded the first monastery of the Poor Clares. The chapel invites pilgrims to linger, reminding them that renewal often begins not in splendor, but in listening.  

A crucial moment follows at the Porziuncola, within the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Here, the Franciscan Order was born; here, too, Francis completed his earthly journey. A sacred space of beginnings and endings together, the Porziuncola embraces the full arc of a life lived in faithful service.  

Assisi teaches pilgrims that there is no single way to walk these sacred footsteps, only the invitation to do so attentively, and at one’s own pace.  

Beyond Assisi: Other Franciscan places in Italy  

If Assisi is the heart of Franciscan pilgrimage, its pulse carries across other tranquil and influential places in Italy.  

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La Verna: Where suffering became blessing  

La Verna rises above the forests of the Tuscan Apennines as a natural sanctuary. Here, Francis, during a moment of solitude and prayer, received the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ. These wounds are considered an outward mark of the love that had long formed Francis inwardly.  

The hush of La Verna’s wooded paths is immediate. Along the rocky slopes stand narrow chapels carved into stone, unembellished spaces that welcome both faith and a willingness to be changed, body and soul, by love. It is a vulnerable place of pilgrimage, where surrender opens the way to transformation.  

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Greccio is not Rome, but it carries a warmth that surpasses grandeur. Wonder comes into focus here, deeply theological yet marked by childlike awe. In the gentle chapel and surrounding friary, Francis shows that God draws near not through force, but through presence. Simplicity and joy travel side by side, and faith finds renewal when we learn to see again.   

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Rome: Where Francis met with the pope  

St. Francis’s footsteps eventually led to Rome, as did the questions raised by his way of life. He approached the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome and the mother church of Western Christianity, seeking recognition for his calling.  

St. Francis stood before Pope Innocent III trusting not in power, persuasion or status, but in God and in the Gospel way of life he had been called to live. Here, St. Francis submitted his Rule for approval, and the Franciscan movement began dialogue with the wider Church, bringing a radical Gospel vision into communion rather than conflict.  

Obedience and courage meet here. At St. John Lateran, pilgrims join il Poverello in considering how faith takes root in both humility and courage, devotion and mission.  

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Ready to walk with Francis?  

Not all Franciscan pilgrims will tread the hills of Assisi or gaze in wonder at frescoed ceilings in Rome this Jubilee Year. For all, though, the heart of pilgrimage is within reach. For Francis, it was as simple as turning toward God in familiar places with open hands, an open heart, and an unhurried pace. Explore pilgrimages available from Franciscan Pilgrimage Program, the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s ministry for encounter with spirituality walking in the footsteps of saints. 

Wherever the first step falls, pilgrimage in the Franciscan way beckons a quieter trek, one of humility, presence and the simple grace of listening. 

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Answer the Pope's call

Pope Leo XIV has declared a Jubilee Year of St. Francis, encouraging action inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. The Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province are offering monthly challenges to help us reflect on living according to the Gospel in Francis’s spirit. This is the third reflection in the series.  

Our world needs peacemakers, bridge builders and messengers of Christ’s love. How are you called to live like Francis? 

In Chapter IX of the Earlier Rule of the Friars Minor (1209/10) St. Francis writes: 

Under the section “Begging Alms,” St. Francis presents a core element of Franciscan life: a connection with and an embrace of those on the margins. This invitation would have been challenging then – perhaps the reason it was left out of the Later Rule of 1223! – and it remains so today. 

No one is unworthy of love 

Is it truly possible to embrace the marginalized, or do we content ourselves with leaving that call to those we deem “more inclined” to do so? Our society and culture often label the marginalized as the poor, the disaffected, those judged as lost or unworthy of care. We entrust these “lepers” to structures and agencies to address the “problem.” 

But Francis’ way of living the Gospel challenges us to embrace not only those who are pushed to the margins, but also to embrace those who marginalized them: people whose hearts have grown distant – shaped by fear, indifference or exclusion.  

In this sense, marginalization takes more than one form. Some people are pushed to the edges of human community, while others, knowingly or unknowingly, distance themselves from the love of God that binds us together. 

St. Francis does not ask us to choose one. He calls us beyond such distinctions. 

St. Francis understood the futility of sharp divisions between condemnation and praise. By embracing all people – rich and poor alike – he ensured his movement could not be reduced to a “special interest,” stripped of its power and Gospel depth. 

Embracing the marginalized – whether they are marginalized from society or from God – must be marked by a sincere commitment to live the greatest commandment: to love one another. Such love is not one-sided but mutual. It restores dignity, revealing each person as worthy, valued, and beloved. 

At the same time, love confronts marginalization’s toxic roots – fear, ignorance and indifference – and transforms them into openness, understanding and mutual acceptance. In this way, love becomes the bridge that brings together what has been divided and leads others, and us, back into deeper communion. 

Reflect 

In what way does love function as a bridge-builder in your life? What has been life-giving for you and for others when you reflect on this dynamic? 

Who are those who have been marginalized, whether intentionally or unintentionally, in your life or in your experience? Why has this occurred, and what or who has contributed to the marginalizing? 

What is the challenge you and others face when confronted with responding to those who marginalize? What ideas might help to heal and transform the situation and the lives of those involved? 

Image: St. Francis and the Leper by Br. Michael Reyes, OFM 

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In a quiet gathering at St. Clement Friary in Cincinnati, senior friars enter prayer together – unhurried, attentive and fully present to this season of life. The pace is easy. Here, the emphasis is not on what has been accomplished, but on what continues: a life of faith that still unfolds.  

Around the province, retreats like this invite friars into deep prayer, reflection and fraternity as they navigate the later chapters of their vocation. This growing initiative is offered across different regions of the country and is often led by Donna Foley, OFS, who specializes in pastoral care, and Darleen Pryds, a professor and expert on Franciscan spirituality.  

These retreats are part of the Provincial Council’s efforts to support Synod Priority 1 (“We will work to be more fraternal with each other as brothers”) with particular attention to care for elderly friars. The retreats create space where aging is addressed with patience, simplicity and care.  

In addition to in-person gatherings, Darleen Pryds has developed a companion video series, “Franciscan Spirituality and Navigating Life’s Transitions,” to extend this spirit of reflection beyond any single retreat.  

Meeting friars where they are  

At 81, Br. John Anglin, OFM, stays active in parish ministry, keeping a full schedule even as he hopes for moments to step back. A recent retreat, he said, offered a rare window to do just that. “It was great to take a day to pause and reflect,” he said. 

For Donna Foley, retreats begin with reverence for those present. “The life experience in the room is truly extraordinary,” she said, noting that many friars have already participated in – or led – numerous retreats, and they bring a deep shared history.  

Her approach is grounded in attentiveness not only to spiritual needs, but to the realities of aging. She adapts her sessions to accommodate limitations to sight or hearing, and she is attuned to the physical condition of the participants. In one retreat, a friar reflected on the rhythm of his days, accounting for what he can now accomplish. Then, with quiet wisdom, he observed that “the very act of getting up and preparing for the day is already rather a lot.” For Donna, moments like this reveal a grace shaped by honesty and acceptance.  

Drawing on the life of St. Francis, the retreats invite friars to reflect on the many “Easters” they experience over time. Br. John explained it this way.  

“What can feel like an ending can also be a rising,” he said. “Francis’ life had many of these moments – when he thought he would be a soldier, when he was called to rebuild the Church, and after meeting the Sultan. 

“These changes in direction aren’t failures. They open the door to new life.” 

Alongside that pastoral attentiveness, the retreats are an invitation to engage in meaningful spiritual introspection. Many friars, Darleen noted, have difficulty with the transition from active ministry to a more contemplative way of life – especially when their identity has long been tied to what they do.  

Drawing on the life of St. Francis, Darleen encourages friars to bring their struggles into prayer, recognizing that loss, frustration and change are not obstacles but part of the journey. In this way, the retreats become spaces of accompaniment, helping friars name what is changing and discover how God remains present within it.  

Fraternity lived in later life  

The retreats reflect a commitment to deepen fraternity, rooted in the priorities of the Provincial Synod. Care for elderly friars is not simply a matter of support, but of shared life – an ongoing invitation to accompany one another through each stage of vocation.  

Ultimately, the retreats do not attempt to solve the realities of aging, but to honor them. In prayer, conversation and quiet presence, friars accompany one another with patience and care – discovering, even in change, the enduring depth of fraternity and the steady presence of God. 

For Br. John, the day offered a renewed way of seeing the life still unfolding before him. 

“It invited us to look at things in a different framework,” he said. 

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Franciscans provide meals to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable men, women and children across the U.S. each day. These individuals are not numbers; they are known, seen and loved as the friars and their partners in ministry serve them with compassion.  

Journey with us from coast to coast through this newly produced video and experience how friars keep the spirit of St. Francis alive in our communities and work together with others to help end hunger.  We are filled with gratitude, on World Hunger Day and every day, for all the working hands who operate Franciscan food distribution programs that address the issue of chronic hunger and the donors who make our work possible. 

World Hunger Day is an annual global campaign observed on May 28 to raise awareness about the global hunger and malnutrition crisis while celebrating sustainable, community-led solutions. 

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“A Franciscan View” is a series from the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation to help you reflect on the news through a Franciscan lens. Our hope is that you will not only watch the news — you will be transformed by it to become a witness of God’s peace and justice in our world today." 

On May 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.” This historic document has received a great deal of secular and religious press coverage. 

Much of the coverage positions AI as a challenge to our world while highlighting the pope’s call for guardrails to protect humanity. This is correct and admirable.  

However, the coverage ignores that AI builds on and exacerbates the larger systemic problems of our world, namely power and wealth concentrations, the loss of human autonomy and value, and the continual spread of hyper-individualism. It is reported as a singular problem to solve rather than addressing the larger set of disordered relationships affecting society. 

Our Franciscan witness

There is much for Franciscans to embrace and laud in Magnifica Humanitas. It focuses on care for the poor, immigration, peacemaking, creation and so much more that is central to our charism.  

But there is another facet that we should not overlook: the risk of losing the specialness (haeciettas) that each being brings as a reflection of God. 

One friar expressed it this way: 

“Large Language Models (LLMs) that operate AI are built from the writing of "the herd,” - everything available on the internet and beyond. They merely parrot how we string words together. One of the more pernicious effects of AI on our culture so far is the recursive feedback loop where we all start sounding like AI — the same formulations, the same sentence structures, the same buzzwords, etc., that have accumulated over a generation of the internet and now constitute the pool LLMs draw from.”— Br. Ed Tverdek, OFM 

To preserve our humanity, we must nourish what makes us unique and honor that uniqueness in others. In doing so, we accept the pope’s invitation to work toward the common good not as bots, but as brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Br. Kevin Mullen, OFM, of Siena University explains how the encyclical reflects St. Francis' belief that we encounter God in our relationships with each other..

Conversation starters

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After nearly four decades of serving people in need at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, Br. Michael Duffy, OFM, was honored by Franciscan Mission Service with the 2026 Fr. Anselm Moons Award. He received the recognition for his work in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia and for creating a volunteer ministry program, during the Franciscan Mission Service’s World Care Benefit and Celebration on April 29 at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, D.C. 

In his remarks, Br. Michael reflected on his formative volunteer work in Jamaica during the 1960s – a pivotal experience that inspired his Franciscan vocation and later led him to establish the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry program in the late 1980s. 

The Franciscan Volunteer Ministry is a group of lay men and women who dedicate themselves to a year of ministry to the poor and marginalized in collaboration with the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Franciscan Volunteer Ministers (FVMs) pray together and live in community, and they commit to a simple lifestyle in solidarity with the people they serve. 

As Br. Michael describes, the ministry has always centered on accompanying young people as they discover their place in the world.  

“One of the joys of working with young people at that stage of life is helping them find their place,” he said. “Being with them and helping them along is really enjoyable.” 

While living alongside those who are poor or marginalized, volunteers experience a transformation that shapes their lives in lasting ways.  

“Because we place our volunteers with people who are poor, they begin to see the world through the eyes of others,” Br. Michael said. “It changes how they think, how they act – and even how they live their lives.” 

Over the years, nearly 300 volunteers have participated in the program at various locations along the East Coast, carrying the Franciscan spirit into communities far and wide.  

“To think that there are 300 Franciscan hearts out there working in the world, that’s very satisfying,” he said.  

The Franciscan Mission Service’s sold-out event drew attendees from throughout the Franciscan family, creating a joyful and memorable gathering. 

“What makes Br. Michael worthy of the award is that Fr. Anselm Moons believed in lay men and women working shoulder to shoulder with religious in missionary work,” said Br. John O’Connor, OFM, a member of the FMS board. “St. Francis Inn has been a model of that collaboration, ministering to the poorest of the poor in Philadelphia.” 

Anna Marie Gallagher, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, delivered a moving keynote address. Oriana Cappella, a student at Stonehill College in North Easton, Pennsylvania, was also recognized with the San Damiano Servant Leadership Award. The evening concluded with uplifting remarks by Br. John. 

“There was a true spirit of Franciscan joy and hope,” said Br. John, reflecting on a ministry that continues to shape lives far beyond a single night’s celebration. 

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As Br. Brian Menezes, OFM, completes his internship at St. Francis Seraph Ministries in Cincinnati, he reflects on a year of formation shaped by presence and accompaniment rather than tasks and schedules. The experience, he says, has transformed his understanding of ministry – not simply as something he offers, but as something that continues to shape him.  

Br. Brian is a simply professed friar, and this internship marks one of the final stages of his initial formation before he professes solemn vows. Throughout his time at the nonprofit, Br. Brian learned to listen with greater attentiveness, to accept help as readily as he offers it and to see Christ’s presence in moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. More than anything, the experience has shown him that authentic ministry unfolds through accompaniment, by walking with others and allowing those encounters to transform his own heart.  

A call to live and serve from the heart has been with Br. Brian for most of his life. Growing up with conflict and witnessing inequality – first in his native India and later as an immigrant in the Middle East – stirred in him a desire for a life rooted in peace. “Through it all,” Br. Brian said, “God has been calling me to operate from my heart.”  

That call soon found daily expression in Cincinnati.  

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St. Francis Seraph Ministries is a Catholic nonprofit in Greater Cincinnati established in 2011. As a chaplain there, Br. Brian’s days were shaped by an attentive presence. He listened to guests and colleagues, checked in with staff, helped connect individuals to resources such as foot care or housing, offered prayer and, at times, assisted in the kitchen as meals were prepared. No two days followed the same pattern. Over time, he came to see that his ministry was not defined by routine, but by responsiveness – by remaining open to the moments when compassion was needed most.  

One encounter stayed with him. While unloading donations on a chilly morning, he overheard a guest imploring a staff member to dress warmly. The moment surprised him. It unveiled a quiet truth: care and concern flow both ways. Even amid hardship, compassion is shared. 

“What we as a team do is to be the face of Jesus,” Br. Brian said, “not just by feeding the multitude, but by welcoming God’s beautiful creation and offering a light of hope.”  

Such experiences reshaped his understanding of ministry. The pattern of listening and being present became ingrained. At the same time, they welcomed deeper self-awareness, calling him to recognize his limits and remain open to growth. 

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Growth through acceptance  

In time, Br. Brian noticed a quieter form of growth taking shape within him. For much of his life, acceptance felt conditional, something earned through success or achievement. That thought often led him to overextend himself, giving himself fully in ministry while forgetting his own need for rest and reflection.  

Through support he experienced during his internship, Brian came to understand acceptance differently – as something earned, rather than received. Learning to keep ministry and self-care in balance, he discovered a new freedom: the ability to serve with greater humility and trust in his ability to serve with clarity and pace. 

“Through acceptance,” he said, “I have learned that I need to maintain a balance.”  

As Br. Brian reflects on his internship, he does so with gratitude for the people and moments that shaped him. It has affirmed for him that Franciscan life is fostered not by accomplishment, but by presence – by listening and responding compassionately.  

He hopes to continue living from the heart, trusting that God will keep forming him through the people he is called to accompany.  

“When we place all our richness, love and devotion in God,” Br. Brian said, “we help build a world of unity, peace and love.” 

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Tucked into a wooded stretch of Cincinnati, the Shrine of St. Anthony offers something increasingly rare in the modern world: stillness.   

Though framed by city streets, the Shrine feels quietly distinctive, a space where visitors can pause, pray and breathe. For Br. Vince Delorenzo, OFM, that peace is not accidental. It is the fruit of loving care, and a Franciscan ministry rooted in presence. 

As guardian – the friar responsible for the care and leadership of a local fraternity – of the Shrine and Friary, his mission is easy to describe but challenging to live. He cares for his brother friars there and welcomes the many people who arrive seeking prayer, comfort or a moment of calm.  

“This is home for the friars,” he said, “but it’s also a place that people feel they can come to freely.” 

Welcoming people from all walks of life 

The Shrine itself carries a modest history.  

What is today known as St. Anthony Shrine began as the friars’ own private chapel, gradually becoming a site of pilgrimage as devotion to St. Anthony took root among those who approached in prayer. Nestled on 60 wooded acres and set back from the road, the shrine offers a chance to pause and listen more closely to the Spirit.  

The Shrine has blossomed into a cherished refuge for the wider community. Each day visitors come, many gathering for Mass, others drawn by the beloved Tuesday novena to St. Anthony, and some seeking nothing more than the gentle peace found beneath the trees, simply resting, reflecting and finding stillness.  

Brother Vince mentions that the Shrine is not designated as a parish. It does not conduct weddings or baptisms, but it gives daily Mass - two on Tuesdays for the St. Anthony Novena – and a Sunday Mass that has seen consistent increase in attendance. The influx of visitors stays steady throughout the week. 

“There are always folks who just need a place to be,” he said. “And we try to make sure they feel welcome.”  

That reception extends beyond the chapel walls. The grounds are a vital component of the Shrine’s ministry. Br. Vince spends significant time tending flower beds, overseeing landscaping and caring for the natural spaces that surround the architecture. Over the years, he has learned what thrives — and what doesn’t — often with assistance from the local deer population. “They’ve taught me what not to plant,” he jokes.  

Beneath the humor is something deeply Franciscan. Caring for the land, Br. Vince says, puts him on a path of honoring what has been entrusted to the friars. “Creation is a gift,” he said. “We’re not meant to abuse it or take it for granted. We’re meant to care for it.”  

Br. Vince’s work at the Shrine reflects a Franciscan life being renewed through synodal listening and shared discernment. As friars across the province reflect on how fraternity, humility and contemplation mold mission today, shrines stand out as fertile ground for these values to take visible form.  

Here, ministry is less about directing and more about accompanying, making space for encounter, prayer and attentiveness. In this way, Br. Vince’s labor embodies core Franciscan insights deepened by the synodal life: mission flows from presence, hospitality is evangelizing, and listening remains key to the Gospel witness of the friars.  

St. Anthony is the heart of it all  

Guests frequently comment on the peace they feel walking the paths or sitting under the trees at St. Anthony Shrine. Despite existing within city limits, the Shrine feels like a hideaway, an urban sanctuary where the noise of daily life softens.  

Affection for St. Anthony remains at the heart of that experience. Known as the “Wonder Worker” and frequently invoked when something is lost, St. Anthony draws a diverse following. Br. Vince receives letters almost daily from people thanking the saint for answered prayers. He shares his own tale, too, of losing a cherished ring while traveling, praying to St. Anthony, and later finding it. “People laugh,” he said, “but the devotion is real. It’s very real.” 

For Br. Vince, ministry requires knowing when to step back, too. When he can, he goes to the coast, drawn by the rhythm of the waves and the openness of the horizon. Time in nature renews him, reminding him why care for creation matters.  

At the Shrine, care for creation takes many forms: maintaining the grounds, greeting arrivals, supporting the friars who live there and quietly ensuring that everything, from liturgy programs to walking paths, serves the larger purpose of welcome.  

“It’s not flashy work,” Br. Vince said. “But it’s meaningful. And if people leave here feeling a little more at peace, then we’re doing what we’re called to do.” 

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Ray was 20 years old when he was sentenced to life in prison in 1994. During his 32 years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Norfolk (MCI-Norfolk), scientific research increasingly revealed that the part of the brain responsible for rational decision-making and impulse control does not completely develop until around age 25. 

Ray committed a terrible crime at a time marked by immaturity, chaos and overwhelming stress – when raw emotion, not logic, governed his choices. Over time, he deeply internalized the harm he caused and the suffering he endured as a young man. 

In 2012, informed by this growing body of research, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juveniles violated the Eighth Amendment. In Massachusetts, however, juvenile jurisdiction applied only to individuals 18 and younger. Ray was not eligible for parole. 

All he could do was serve his time with good behavior and work quietly on his own growth. Unbeknownst to him, a Franciscan presence would eventually enter his story. 

When the Supreme Court ruling was issued, Br. Paul O’Keeffe, OFM, LCSW – a Franciscan friar, licensed therapist, and clinical social worker - was serving at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Boston. In 2017, he launched a grant-funded counseling program for juvenile offenders seeking parole. Ray was not part of it, but that would soon change. 

Ray’s way in 

The brother of one of Br. Paul’s Boston-based clients was incarcerated and approaching a parole hearing. He needed counseling. 

“I started working with him,” Br. Paul recalls, “and one day he said, ‘There are other guys in here who are looking for someone to talk to.’” 

One was Ray. 

“He wasn’t yet eligible for parole because he was 20 when he committed his crime,” Br. Paul explains. “But he wanted to work through issues from his life outside prison, particularly childhood trauma. His case didn’t technically fit the program, but he was seeking counseling, so I took him on conditionally.” 

From the outset, Br. Paul recognized Ray’s inherent dignity. 

“Long before we met, Ray had decided to work on himself – to trust others more and to be peaceful toward fellow inmates and staff,” he says. “He was respected because he chose to rise above his situation.” 

Processing deep trauma 

Initially, Ray and Br. Paul met by phone and online. Because of the program’s grant funding, Ray did not have to pay for counseling. 

“Ray was learning how to process deep trauma,” Br. Paul says. “In addition to providing counseling, my role was pastoral – to practice one of the Corporal Works of Mercy: visiting the imprisoned.” 

They worked together for eight years. Ray often reflected on one hard-earned insight: although he had spent decades in prison, prison was not in him. That distinction shaped how he treated both inmates and correctional officers. 

Throughout those years, they never talked about freedom. Ray did not know if he would ever leave prison. 

Then, in January 2024, the Massachusetts Supreme Court raised the juvenile age from 18 to 20, aligning the state with others that had expanded eligibility. Suddenly, Ray qualified for parole. 

Ahead of his parole hearing in May 2025, Ray – now more trusting – asked Br. Paul to testify on his behalf. 

“I spoke at his hearing, as I do with everyone in the program,” Br. Paul says. “He was granted parole six months later, and he asked me to pick him up from prison. He told me, ‘You’ve been the most reliable person in my life.’ Escorting him out on his first day of freedom was an honor.” 

An ‘eye-opening’ transition 

Ray transferred his parole to New York, his home state, where Br. Paul provides counseling through Franciscan 360, an affiliate of St. Francis Breadline that helps individuals experiencing homelessness find permanent housing. 

They remain in daily contact. 

“When Ray went into prison 32 years ago, computers weren’t part of everyday life,” Br. Paul says. “Adjusting to today’s technology has been one of his biggest challenges.” 

Ray grew up in a broken home, spending a lot of time on the streets. From ages 13 to 20, he largely survived on his own. His greatest fear was leaving prison without support. 

He is finding it. He receives help through programs like Ready, Willing, and Able, and he is a licensed barber –a trade he learned while incarcerated – with hopes of working soon. 

“It’s about connecting him with resources,” Br. Paul said. “He’s motivated and a self-starter. He’s finding his way.” 

Recently, they met downtown. Ray smiled, laughed, and greeted strangers. 

“He told me, ‘I’m just so happy to be alive and to see people.’” 

Br. Paul hopes to expand the Counseling Program for Juvenile Offenders Seeking Parole alongside Brothers Jay Woods, OFM, LMSW, and Mario Gomez, OFM, LMSW. 

“I don’t know of many friars doing this kind of work,” Br. Paul said. “As professional therapists, it’s a unique opportunity to serve people who are deeply marginalized.” 

That mission reflects a core Franciscan value: care for the poorest of the poor. 

“In our society, that includes people in prison,” Br. Paul said. “Especially those serving long sentences who’ve been forgotten. They want another chance – not to be judged by the worst thing they’ve done. That’s what Ray and others have taught me.”