[25A9FS] Feast of St. Francis of Assisi – Support Our Franciscan Missionaries

We were made for one another.

From the beginning, God created humanity to live in relationship.

You and I are called to see and care for the person in front of us. We are called to share one another’s joys and burdens.

In our fast-moving world, it is all too easy to pass by others without looking, especially when helping them might require something from us such as our time, our money, even our hearts.

On October 4, Franciscans throughout the world will celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, a saint who chose not to look away.

One day, while traveling outside Assisi, Francis saw a man with leprosy. In those days, people with leprosy were feared, shunned, and forced to live apart. Francis, too, had always avoided them.

But this time, he stopped. He climbed down from his horse,

walked toward the man, placed coins in his hand, and embraced him.

That embrace changed Francis forever.

Francis drew the man close, breathing in the scent of his sickness and feeling his trembling. In that moment, fear turned into peace. Disgust became love.

Friars in India restore joy to those shunned by society

A friar offering pastoral care and companionship to a woman affected by HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu

Your Generosity helps Franciscan friars feed families affected by HIV/AIDS through the Paasam-FLAME Project in India

A Second Life

In Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India, Franciscan missionaries have operated the Franciscans Life Affirming Movement for Empowerment (FLAME) project since 2017.

Today, FLAME, locally known as Paasam, serves more than 800 men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS each month. Most have been rejected by their families, neighbors, or employers.

Our friars in India make sure these families and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS are not forgotten, providing monthly nutrition kits, essential medicines, counseling, and transportation to medical appointments.

One of the young people cared for through Paasam is Priyanka, a 17-year-old who has lived with HIV since childhood.

After losing her father to the disease, her mother abandoned her, leaving Priyanka with her stepmother. She felt utterly rejected, even by her relatives, and fell into despair so deep she once thought of ending her life.

But at that darkest moment, she was welcomed into the Paasam residence. There, she found food, clothing, education, medical care, and most importantly, love and dignity.

Priyanka says the friars have given her “a second life.”

Now finishing high school, Priyanka dreams of returning to her village not as a rejected child, but as an educated woman who will inspire others to live with courage and hope.

In every embrace, the lesson of St. Francis is alive.

In Mexicali, Mexico, Franciscan missionaries at Casa Paco provide a safe home for people who are terminally ill, disabled, or completely alone. Many arrive after living on the streets or being discharged from hospitals with nowhere to go. Our friars and caregivers prepare meals, provide medical attention, and make sure every resident knows they are valued and loved.

One of these residents is Rigoberto Manríquez Hernández, who came to Casa Paco near death from advanced HIV. Rejected by his family and turned away from hospitals, all he wanted was a bed for one night. Instead, the friars embraced him with shelter, treatment, and love.

Today, Rigoberto works alongside our friars at Casa Paco.

He collects food donations, helps in the kitchen, and cares for fellow residents. He says he has learned not to fear death. The friars say they have learned from him how to live with gratitude.

Once a resident himself, Rigoberto now serves as a caregiver for others at Casa Paco

Food and medicine are among the most costly parts of caring for residents at Casa Paco

Franciscan friars bring compassion and dignity to those deemed ‘incurable’ by society

A friar shares the healing power of touch with a resident at Casa Paco

With your help, Franciscan missionaries provide daily care to those who are forgotten and abandoned

People who are sick are not a burden. Touch can heal the heart as much as medicine heals the body. Jesus Christ is found in the ones the world forgets.

In Tamil Nadu, the friars must raise enough each month to feed, medicate, and encourage hundreds of people with HIV/AIDS and their families. At Casa Paco, it costs about $1,000 every month to provide food, medicine, shelter, and loving care for one resident.

Please, give today. Your gift in any amount makes our next embrace possible. Your generosity will wrap the sick, the abandoned, and the forgotten in the arms of Jesus Christ and in the warmth of your own mercy.

As we approach the feast of St. Francis, please know that our friars in India, Mexico, and missions around the world are praying for you. We Franciscans are grateful to you for your compassion and for walking with us to embrace people most in need.

Select “Help Prepare the Next Generation of Franciscan Missionaries [25A8FM]”

With a humble heart, I thank you for your continued kindness and faithful support of our Franciscan missionaries.

Peace and all good,

Brother Andrew Brophy, OFM Executive Director

P.S. October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Please honor him with your best gift today. Your renewed generosity keeps his spirit of compassion alive in ever embrace that Franciscan missionaries offer to people who are poor and sick.