Ministries

Early biographers of St. Francis of Assisi characterized him as a man in love with God, with life and with his fellow human beings. A compassionate man, he sought to alleviate the suffering of those around him. He had a special love for lepers and for the poor for whom he cared with humility and love, exhorting his followers to do the same.

In the spirit of their founder, Franciscans are called to live in community, to be men and women of prayer, and to minister to the People of God. Throughout its almost 800 year history, the Franciscan Order has continued to generously respond to the Church’s call to minister to the poor and to all those in need.

The Most Reverend Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM Conv., archbishop of Atlanta.

Our friars have served and continue to serve in shrines, parishes and schools, as well as chaplains for other religious orders, retired and active military, nursing and special care homes, as psychotherapy services, in hospitals and in shelters. We also have friars serving the Church worldwide for organizations like Catholic Relief Services, as Confessors in Rome, in Administration for the Order, and in parishes in Japan.

We even have a friar of our province serving as archbishop of Atlanta, Ga., The Most Reverend Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM, Conv. is the spiritual leader of more than 1.2 million Catholics.