They come from every corner of the world.

Approximately 2,000 young men have answered the call. They come from different continents and regions and have diverse backgrounds, but they share the same goal—to follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis as Franciscan missionary friars.

The road they have taken is a difficult one. It calls for sacrifice and dedication. Academic studies, pastoral training, and spiritual and personal growth require much of these men. They know how important it is for them to open themselves to the Holy Spirit and give themselves totally to God, so they can serve you, God’s people, as Christ would.

They cannot walk alone. Many come from developing countries in our world that do not have the resources to house, feed, and educate young men to be formed as Franciscan missionaries.

They need your help, your prayers, and your generosity if they are to achieve their goal.

Franciscan friar Father Alan, OFM answered Christ’s call.

Thanks to your prayers and generosity, Fr. Alan was recently ordained as a Franciscan missionary priest. He is serving the poor in Congo-Brazzaville.

He met the friars for the first time in 2006, and the seed of a calling was planted. After a year serving his community as a hospice worker, he decided to become a Franciscan missionary.

In 2013, he was able to study philosophy. In 2016, he learned to speak Italian in Rome and then went to Jerusalem to study theology.

Fr. Alan now serves as the parochial vicar in Djiri, where he spreads the Gospel, works with the poor in the local community, and is responsible for the Santa Chiara school that educates and cares for 500 children!

He is very grateful to the benefactors who supported his formation, because without them, everything he does today would not have been possible.

Many provincials have written to me seeking financial assistance to cover the basic costs of providing for the young friars who are studying to become priests or to serve as Franciscan brothers.

Unless they receive major outside assistance, they will not be able to cover basic costs for the spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation of these young men, and many of them may be turned away.

Please help these young men follow in the footsteps of St. Francis by giving a donation to help pay for their formation as a Franciscan missionary, who will help the poor for his entire lifetime. Your gift will keep on giving!

On average, it costs about $4,000 per year to educate and form a young Franciscan seminarian to serve as a missionary priest. This is a great value. In the United States, it can cost as much as $50,000 for a year of seminary education!

Our Franciscan seminarians are striving to be faithful, holy witnesses to Jesus Christ. Will you walk with them down this difficult road as they follow Christ?

Do you see why the blessing of over 2,000 young men in formation presents us with a heavy financial burden? But together with you, we can carry it joyfully and gratefully.

I am writing to a very select group of Franciscan friends. I am asking you to please consider making a significant sacrifice today so that our Church may have good, holy, and healthy young priests in the years ahead.

You can help prepare a young man to dedicate his life to serving God and the poor as a Franciscan! These men are a gift of hope and new life for the Church. The healing touch of Jesus will live through their work with the poor for many years.

You have been so generous in the past. Please help again.

You will help a grateful servant of God who will give his entire life to serving the poor.

Any gift you make will be greatly appreciated!

Your life of charity and caring for others is a sure sign that you, like Fr. Alan and St. Francis, are bearing witness to the voice of Jesus through your words and deeds!

Please Donate – Select [23A8FM] Following in the Footsteps of St. Francis

I thank God for you, and I thank you with all my heart.

Yours in Christ,

Brother Andrew Brophy, OFM

Executive Director

P.S. Please be generous in your support of our Franciscan students in formation. Any gift you can send would really help! I assure you that our Franciscan priests, brothers, and seminarians are grateful for your prayerful support and remember you in their daily Masses and prayers.