Alms for the Love of God
“He (St. Francis) used to say that to offer the Love of God in exchange for alms was generosity worthy of a nobleman and that anyone who thought less of it than money was a fool. The incalculable worth of divine love was the only thing that could win the kingdom of heaven...” (St Bonaventure Mag. Life, Chap. IX)
How to Support the Friars
To be a Friar Minor is to be poor for love of God in imitation of Jesus Christ when on this earth. Here lies one of the main reasons - a promise of eternal beatitude in His Father’s house (Mt. 25: 34-40) - for begging by the Friars Minor, or the 'lesser brethren', since Our Lord says that whatever you do for the “least of My brethren you have done it to Me.” It is therefore for supernatural reasons, not natural, that Friars beg and live in poverty: so that others will receive the promise of Our Lord.
Our Vow also gives honor to God’s Providence, trusting Our Lord when He said that “if you seek the Kingdom of God and His Justice” (Mt. 6: 33) then He will take care of our necessities in this life. This is the rule and life of the Friars Minor: “to observe the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” not just in word but in deed.
Finally, the vision of Saint Francis is that the Friars are poor, having as their only possession Our Dear Lord and His Holy Mother, that by leaving “house, brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for My name’s sake, shall possess life everlasting” and that being the last voluntarily in this life the Friars shall be first with Our Lord for eternity. (Mt. 19:29)
The Blessing of Holy Father Saint Francis
The Lord bless you and keep you.
May He show His face to you and have mercy on you.
May He turn His countenance toward you and give you His peace.
The Lord bless you!
As friars we profess to have nothing of our own, "neither house, nor place, nor anything." Having the use of things is enough. In times past the things used by the friars, where owned outright by the Vatican. In recent times legal associations, run by "spiritual friends" of the friars own those things given to the friars for their use. The "Spiritual Friends" of the Marian Friars Minor, the Friends of the Marian Friars Minor, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation who sole purpose is to represent those donors and benefactors who support the Friars, ensuring that their gifts are used according to the desire of the donors.
There are many ways to support the life and work of the friars, such as their daily needs or the current building project please visit the Friends of the Marian Friars Minor if you would like to help for the Love of God.
May God reward you!
Help Us Build a Place of Prayer
"The Project is quite simple..."
The principal motive of this Project is to provide the Faithful with a place they can come to in order to be spiritually strengthened and nourished by the practice of Prayer, and the example and instruction of Franciscan Friars.
For this reason, we have modeled the layout of the property with three main areas:
- "The Heart and Center" - Franciscan Convent & Chapel.
"Solitude and Prayer" - Retreat Cabins for Families and Individuals.
-"Retreat House" - A Lodge built for Group Retreats, Conferences, and Formation.
