Join Us for Mass!

This summer, the General Secretariat of the Franciscan Missions (GSFM) is bringing our friar-missionaries into parishes across the United States. Join us as our missionaries celebrate the Mass and share stories of our mission work from around the world.

As present-day followers of St. Francis of Assisi, we continue our 800-year-old mission tradition open to the needs of the time, by responding to the spiritual and material needs of people entrusted to our care. Your generosity of prayer and material support enables us to deliver hope to the poor, allowing for the flow of divine providence to reach the needy.

Learn more about our friar-missionary, Fr. Percy Tayem, OFM who will be traveling this year to celebrate the Mass with you.

Spotlight: Fr. Percy Tayem, OFM

Fr. Percival Tayem, OFM joined the Franciscan Seminary at the Our Lady of the Angels Seminary in Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City, Philippines after being surrounded by Franciscan friars throughout his childhood. He was fascinated by the friars at his childhood parish, and the way they served the community’s sacramental and spiritual needs. He was also inspired by St. Francis’ love for the poor and dedication to his community. As a child, Fr. Percy joined YOUFRA (Young Franciscan), where he accompanied friars to celebrate Mass in remote villages and participated in parish activities, such as rosary devotions.

After completing his studies in 2002, Fr. Percy was ordained a priest in 2003. From there, he has served as a friar-missionary in Sri Lanka and the Philippines as a pastor, director, provincial bursar, and spiritual assistant.

Fr. Percy’s goal in every role has remained the same: to be always faithful to his vocation and serve God’s people wherever he is assigned. He believes that our purpose in life is to help deepen others’ faith and relationships with God.

“Serving God’s people is my ticket to heaven,” Fr. Percy said, “I believe every individual’s desire is to go to heaven. We have to work harder for this desire. The world is getting more complicated and chaotic because of greed and lies.”

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Fr. Percy believes that receiving the Eucharist at Mass is critical for mission.

“…when [people] come to mass, they will come to encounter Christ regardless of the presider,” Fr. Percy said, “The Holy Eucharist is very essential food for all of us because it sustains us and makes us spiritually healthy. The source of our strength, especially when it comes to serving God’s people. It will help us make impossible things happen. We should come to Mass and allow ourselves to receive Jesus’ Body and Blood and slowly transform us to become a better person.”