Laity carry on Franciscan tradition at Raleigh school

Every morning, more than 600 students pour into the courtyard at The Franciscan School in Raleigh, North Carolina, creating a joyful noise as the school day begins. 

And then one by one, they fall silent.  

In a busy, buzzing world, these young people quiet their minds and their hearts and spend a few minutes drawing close to Jesus as one of their peers leads their community in morning prayer.  

After prayer, they pass by a statue of St. Francis with the Wolf of Gubbio and head into one of seven buildings named for Franciscan saints. The kindergarteners learn to recite St. Francis’s “Prayer Before the Cross” while the eighth graders put Catholic Social Teaching into action through service.  

This year, The Franciscan School celebrated its 25th anniversary of educating children in the spirit of St. Francis. The K-8 school, one of the largest Catholic elementary schools in the Eastern United States, is a beacon of Franciscan community.  

The Franciscan friars haven’t had an active presence at The Franciscan School since 2020, when the legacy Holy Name Province returned care of its parish, St. Francis of Assisi, to the diocese due to a declining number of friars available for ministry.  

Having been formed in Franciscan values, the laity proudly carry on the Franciscan tradition, wrapping these students in Franciscan wisdom before sending them forth to make the world a better place.  

Br. James Sabak, OFM, introduces students to a TFS tradition – rubbing the nose of the statute of the Wolf of Gubbio for good luck. (Photo courtesy of Laureen Wacenske)

Sharing the goodness of God 

The idea for The Franciscan School came from the people, says Br. Daniel Kenna, OFM, who was pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish when the school was founded. A diocesan survey indicated a desire for a Catholic school, so Br. Daniel and a team of committees set out to establish an educational community that would shape the hearts and minds of students and parents alike. 

“St. Francis of Assisi Parish had a reputation of being a place of welcome to all,” said Br. Dan. “It was rooted in the Franciscan spirit: the goodness of God and therefore the goodness of the human person and the goodness of creation. All of the Franciscan values that were celebrated in the parish were now to be incorporated into the curriculum.” 

From the very beginning, the school has integrated the Church’s social justice teachings through in-classroom learning and community service. “Students aren’t just donating a can of vegetables once a year for the poor,” said Br. Daniel. “There are monthly experiences of working with the poor and marginalized.” 

The Franciscan School welcomes students of all faith backgrounds and has committed to providing as affordable an education as possible. Ten percent of every parish collection is set aside for tuition assistance. 

5th graders spread dirt from their homes around the newly planted Trident Maple Tree, part of the 25th anniversary celebrations. (Photo courtesy of Laureen Wacenske)

Shaping students for a lifetime of service 

The Franciscan School reminds its students that their lives are built for service and encourages them to care for one another. 

“At The Franciscan School, the necessary elements of elementary education are not just taught, but folded into the context of the Franciscan tradition,” said Br. James Sabak, OFM, who works for the Diocese of Raleigh and remains a member of The Franciscan School community. “How do we define the presence of God in all that we study and teach children to recognize where there is God active in the world? That makes Catholic education relevant to time and place in society.  

“We are not a holy bubble that you run to when things get tough. We are meant to face the world and say, ‘Here is where God is speaking to us.’” 

One of The Franciscan School’s greatest gifts is its community, says principal Dawn Smith. Parents and grandparents join the students for daily prayer and acts of service. Alumni come back to visit and some to work – 13 alumni have returned to serve on the school’s staff. 

“We have such incredible involvement from our families,” she said. “No matter the service that we are engaging in, there’s such an incredible energy that bonds us not only to each other, but to the greater community.” 

It was that sense of community that attracted K-5 counselor Laureen Wacenske and her family to the school – Laureen as one of the first staff members and her son as a member of its first kindergarten class.  

“My son purposefully chose a profession in service and continues to not only enrich himself in his career, but also in service to the community,” she said. “Our graduates will frequently come back and thank The Franciscan School for sharing these values and the faith. Walking the talk has greatly impacted the choices they’ve made in their lives, and what they are giving back to society is incredible.” 

Twenty five years later, Br. Dan looks back with gratitude on the work the friars did to integrate Franciscan values into the parish and school community.  

“The spirit that we established there in the beginning as Franciscans came to fruition and continues to be in fruition there,” he said. “My belief was that if there ever came a day when the brown robes left St. Francis, the spirit of Francis would live there for generations to come. That came true.”