The truth is we’d rather not have a website at all. This is because, like St. Francis, we feel called to give up everything to follow Jesus Christ, the one thing necessary. But our Archbishop thought we should be on the internet so that those discerning will be able to contact us more easily. St. Francis also said that no one is truly poor unless they give up the purse of their own will. So here we are.
Poverty is the one word that sums up best our charism, the poverty of the Incarnation. Hence, it is Marian. We make a fourth vow of total consecration to our Blessed Mother. St. Francis founded the order on her initiative, at her little shrine and placed it under her protection.
In our daily life, prayer takes top priority. Every Friday is set aside for prayer in silence. We regularly go to remote hermitages for periods of solitude. The Holy Eucharist is the center of all we are and do.
The following are some other important aspects of our life:
· Penance – sacrificing good things for better things
· Minority – to be counted among the least
· Fraternity – imperfect brothers learning how to love
· Manual Labor – ennobling hard work
· Fidelity – to the Vicar of Christ and the Magisterium
· Pro-Life – defending the most defenseless
· Joy – because He is with us
It is mainly by the witness of our life that we hope to draw all to Jesus through the immaculate heart of Mary. But our active apostolic work is also essential. We evangelize by various means, especially preaching the word of God. This could take place at a retreat or parish mission, during a parish Mass, on a street corner, or with a truck driver who is kind enough to give us a lift on an apostolic journey. St. Francis preached but also took care of lepers, the outcasts of his time. We seek to do likewise with those of today whom many would rather not be bothered with.
Finally, it should be mentioned that we are involved with missionary work in Latin America and serve among various minority and immigrant communities. The Spanish language in particular has hence become a significant part of our daily life.
So if these things appeal to your soul, and you are a healthy Catholic man between the ages of 18 and 35, send us a snail mail.
Poverty is the one word that sums up best our charism, the poverty of the Incarnation. Hence, it is Marian. We make a fourth vow of total consecration to our Blessed Mother. St. Francis founded the order on her initiative, at her little shrine and placed it under her protection.
In our daily life, prayer takes top priority. Every Friday is set aside for prayer in silence. We regularly go to remote hermitages for periods of solitude. The Holy Eucharist is the center of all we are and do.
The following are some other important aspects of our life:
· Penance – sacrificing good things for better things
· Minority – to be counted among the least
· Fraternity – imperfect brothers learning how to love
· Manual Labor – ennobling hard work
· Fidelity – to the Vicar of Christ and the Magisterium
· Pro-Life – defending the most defenseless
· Joy – because He is with us
It is mainly by the witness of our life that we hope to draw all to Jesus through the immaculate heart of Mary. But our active apostolic work is also essential. We evangelize by various means, especially preaching the word of God. This could take place at a retreat or parish mission, during a parish Mass, on a street corner, or with a truck driver who is kind enough to give us a lift on an apostolic journey. St. Francis preached but also took care of lepers, the outcasts of his time. We seek to do likewise with those of today whom many would rather not be bothered with.
Finally, it should be mentioned that we are involved with missionary work in Latin America and serve among various minority and immigrant communities. The Spanish language in particular has hence become a significant part of our daily life.
So if these things appeal to your soul, and you are a healthy Catholic man between the ages of 18 and 35, send us a snail mail.
