Franciscans

The Latest

Father Jude McKenna holds his Order of the Rising Sun award alongside Japan's Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, Mari Miyoshi.

Japan awards priest for promoting friendship in Africa through judo

Jul 8, 2019

A Capuchin Franciscan priest from Northern Ireland who spent 50 years on mission in Zambia has been awarded one of... Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

What a vocation to be a Holy Land Franciscan looks like

Sep 10, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

A religious vocation to serve in the Holy Land is demanding, but there is nothing like walking where Christ walked... Read more

Solanus Casey. Courtesy of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph.

The quirky Father Solanus: Squeaky violinist, tamer of bees

Dec 30, 2017

By Mary Farrow

You’ve heard of Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves. But have you heard of Fr. Solanus Casey’s multiplication of the ice... Read more

Pope Francis blesses a baby at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square on Nov. 22, 2017.

When you serve others, stay humble, Pope tells Franciscans

Nov 23, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said on Thursday to always be humble when serving others, especially the least of these, remembering how much... Read more

Paula Medina Zárate, a Panamanian cured through Solanus Casey's intercession, at his beatification Nov. 18, 2017.

Faithful from near and far gather to celebrate Fr. Solanus, friend and healer

Nov 19, 2017

By Mary Farrow

Usually, when Detroit’s Ford Field is filled with people, it’s because football fans are watching the Lions play another NFL... Read more

Blessed Solanus Casey Beatification at Ford Field in Detroit. Nov. 18, 2017.

Humble disciple, tireless servant: Solanus Casey beatified in Detroit

Nov 18, 2017

Detroit’s beloved Father Solanus Casey has been beatified, with Pope Francis calling him “a humble and faithful disciple of Christ,... Read more

Solanus Casey, CC 3.0 via Wikipedia.

Those close to the cause of Fr. Solanus Casey recall a humble, holy friar

Nov 17, 2017

By Mary Farrow

Before a potential saint is beatified, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes.  Read more

Solanus Casey. Courtesy of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph

Venerable Solanus Casey: the priest who answered the doorbell.

Nov 17, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Venerable Solanus Casey, a Capuchin priest from Wisconsin, was humble before all else, said the postulator of his cause for... Read more

Venerable Solanus Casey, who will be beatified Nov. 18, 2017. Photo courtesy of the Capuchin Franciscan Order of St. Joseph in Detroit.

Fr. Solanus Casey: the American priest who will be beatified next week

Nov 8, 2017

Venerable Solanus Casey, an American-born Capuchin priest who died in 1957, will be beatified at a Nov. 18 Mass in... Read more

Saint Anthony of Padua, by El Greco (c. 1580).

St Anthony of Padua considered 'all the world as his home'

Jun 13, 2017

As the Church celebrates St. Anthony of Padua, his widespread popularity can be traced to his efforts at reaching out... Read more

Pope Francis prays before the relics of the two polish priests, Bl. Zbigniew Strzalkowski and Bl. Michal Tomaszek.

Pope makes unexpected stop at Franciscan monastery

Jul 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

Before heading to an evening prayer vigil with youth, Pope Francis made an unannounced stop at a Franciscan monastery housing... Read more

Franciscan Friars with filter.

'Little' friars credit vocation boom to Pope's name

May 26, 2015

By Elise Harris

Gathered in Rome for their general chapter meeting, members of the Order of Friars Minor – better known as Franciscans... Read more

A crucifix inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, one of the sites of the Hearts Aflame pilgrimage for priests and religious.

Franciscan Holy Land pilgrimage aims to revitalize priests' ministry

Feb 11, 2015

An upcoming twenty-day Holy Land pilgrimage for priests and religious aims at being a renewal program to help them become... Read more

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, who died Oct. 3, 2014.

Fr. Benedict Groeschel laid to rest

Oct 14, 2014

Family and friends of the gray-habited friar Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel bid farewell to him Oct. 12 as he was... Read more

Fr. Hanna Jallouf, O.F.M., who was released Oct. 9 a few days after having been abucted in Qunaya, Syria. Photo courtesy of Custodia Terrae Sanctae.

Kidnapped Franciscan priest in Syria released by militants

Oct 9, 2014

The Custody of the Holy Land announced Thursday that the Franciscan priest who was abducted in Syria by rebels over... Read more

Fr. Hanna Jallouf, O.F.M., who was abducted Oct. 5 along with some 20 villagers from Qunaya, Syria. Photo courtesy of Custodia Terrae Sanctae.

Franciscan priest, Christian villagers abducted by Syrian militants

Oct 7, 2014

Militants linked to al-Nusra Front kidnapped a Catholic parish priest and as many as 20 people from a Christian village... Read more

Votive candles in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.

Franciscans determined to keep Christianity in Holy Land

Aug 13, 2014

Despite the stresses of alternating violence and ceasefires between Hamas and Israel, Franciscans in the Holy Land are committed to... Read more

Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. addresses journalists during a May 15, 2014 press conference.

Franciscans of the Immaculate to receive house in Rome

Jun 26, 2014

By Elise Harris

The Vatican has revealed that a house is being sought for members of the Friars of the Immaculate who study... Read more

Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province.

Franciscans' prayer request texts met with enthusiasm

Jan 16, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

U.S.-based Franciscan friars have enjoyed a widespread response to a service allowing Catholics to send in prayer requests via text... Read more

CNA

Italy's oldest Capuchin friar reflects on following St. Francis

Oct 8, 2012

As Catholics around the world celebrated the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct.4, the oldest Capuchin friar in... Read more