FRANCISCANS SHARE BREAD WITH EVERYONE. EVERY DAY.

HELP US MAKE KINDNESS MORE COMMON.

The FRANCISCAN CHALLENGE is Franciscan Friars Charities’ bi-annual fundraising campaign that supports the works and ministries of the Franciscan friars in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, as well as at Franciscan Missions in Jamaica and Africa.

YOUR GENEROSITY
WILL BRING
CARE TO OVER 2 MILLION CHILDREN, WOMEN, AND MEN IN DESPERATELY
NEED OUR OUR HELP.

Through the FRANCISCAN CHALLENGE, we can beg for those too busy surviving to beg for themselves and ‘challenge’ those with God’s grace in their hearts to perform small acts of kindness for those in need.

“Remember that when you leave this earth,
you can take with you nothing that have received—
only what you have given.”
― St. Francis of Assisi

Be the act of kindness that restores faith, inspires hope, and bridges the gap between despair and dignity. Please, help us help those who seek us out for food, medicine, and safety from physical abuse. With your support, we can be there for EVERYONE. EVERY DAY.

Will you take the Challenge and be the moment of God’s grace they desperately need?

Franciscan stories

St. Francis Inn

Ruth and her two young children are homeless. The single mother struggled to scrape up the next meal for her kids and dress them with warm clothes. In the winter. That was before Ruth found St. Francis Inn, the Franciscan soup kitchen in Philadelphia that feeds over 200 homeless, hungry, unemployed and poor guests every day. The Inn’s thrift shop makes sure the children have coats and sweaters.

St. Francis Seraph Ministries

I’d like to share the story of Reginald, a man who lives on the streets of Cincinnati. When the Friars first met Reginald, we were struck by his day-to-day reality. Years of homelessness, walking great distances, and neglect had taken a great toll on his feet. He was in a lot of pain and could barely walk—and it was the middle of winter. Thankfully, he was able to cross the warm and welcoming threshold of St. Francis Seraph Ministries, where he met Brother David.

Franciscan Connection

Imagine you’re a single mom who can’t feed her children. As hard as you work, you just can’t put enough food on the table. Many have family and friends who can help. Many others don’t. This was the harsh reality for Lynnette, a resident of St. Louis who struggled to feed her four children. She desperately needed some help—and some hope! Thankfully, she found the Friars at the St. Anthony Food Pantry and Franciscan Connection, one of the many ministries through which the Friars help those in need.

YOUR SUPPORT CHANGES LIVES

THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG FRIARS

Help us with the education of our young Friars, the future of the Church who will continue the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi by joyfully living the gospel message and caring for the poor and marginalized with compassion, dignity, respect and hope.

CARE FOR THE POOR

From the first time St. Francis of Assisi went into the streets to care for the lepers and poor, Franciscan Friars, more than 800 years later, continue to embrace the neglected and marginalized with love, compassion and hope – which comes in the form of food, clothing, medicine, shelter and other life necessities. We couldn’t do this without your generous support.

CARE FOR ELDERLY FRIARS

Your generosity helps us care for our elderly Friars who have given so much to so many during their years of service and ministry – their pastoral and sacramental care, prayer, preaching and teaching, and living the Gospel message. Help us care for them as they embark on the journey of their final yes to God.

What is the work of the Franciscan Friars?

The core of our mission is to live out a Gospel life and serve all the people of God regardless of their faith, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or nationality.

What makes the Franciscan Friars different?

The Franciscan Friars have always been thought of as “of the people and with the people.” Living in community is one of our core values and helps the Friars to be a little more down to earth. The Friars never see themselves as better than anyone and are not judge-mental and are very accepting of everyone.

Why do the Franciscan Friars need money?

The Franciscan Friars do not beg for themselves but for others and most importantly for the poor and desperate they serve. However, there are times that need a stronger call and that is now. In the tradition of begging, we are asking for money for three very important causes: • one to educate our young men who desire to become Franciscan Friars • for our work with the 2 million poor and desperate men, women and children who come to us each year, a tradition we have been doing for over 800 years • and to take care of our sick and elderly Franciscan Friars who have helped so many for so long and now need care of themselves.

"If not for the Franciscan Friars I wouldn't be where I am today. I can very possibly still be homeless. They went above beyond to make sure I was fed, clothed and had all the necessities to make it through this. I am so grateful to them."

-SEAN