ABOUT US

As followers of St. Francis of Assisi in these modern times, we are "lesser brothers" called to be centered in Christ with the Gospel as our Rule of Life. "This is what I wish, this is what I seek, this is what I long to do with all my heart!" exclaimed St. Francis.

We believe that fidelity to our calling is expressed in a spirit of prayer and contemplation.

Faithful to the mission Jesus began, we have a special love for the poor and we revere all God's creation.

We believe that we are called to fraternity to share a life of joy and peace, to draw our inspiration from the example of Jesus, and to be renewed continually through our celebration of the Eucharist.

Our Brief History

The Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart is a daughter province of The Franciscan Friars of the Holy Cross in Saxony, Germany. During the Kulturkampf (Cultural Struggle) in Germany, the friars from Germany came to the U.S.A. as immigrants to serve German speaking immigrants. The first friars arrived in 1858 to Teutopolis, IL. This is considered the cradle of the province.

The friars quickly established parishes, schools, and social service centers in the areas of Teutopolis, Quincy, Saint Louis, and Chicago. On April 26, 1879, we were established officially as a Province. There were 202 friars.

The newly established province continued to grow in membership, and found creative ways to serve God's people. We sent friars to California, Brazil, China, and eventually even to Alaska and Hawaii. Membership continued to grow.

Here is a short video presentation on the history of the Franciscan Friars (OFM) in the United States done by Our Lady of Guadalupe Province's Jack Clark Robinson, OFM. youtube.com/watch?v=Aho8pqCMdzg

Some Of Our Current Locations And Ministries

Alaska: Parish Ministry to the Athabascan Native American People (Diocese of Fairbanks).

Wisconsin: Parish and Native American Ministry (Ashland, Odana, Hurley)

Michigan: National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods, parish ministry (Indian River).

Ohio: Parish ministry and Padua Franciscan High School (Cleveland).

Indiana: Parish and Multi cultural ministries (Indianapolis).

Illinois: Parish Ministries / Chaplaincy / Education / African American Ministry (Chicago, Joliet, Springfield, Quincy, East St. Louis).

Missiouri: Multi-cultural parish and ministries (St. Louis), retreat ministry (Dittmer), Hospital/Sisters Chaplaincy (St. Louis) Administration (St. Louis).

Louisiana: Parish and Campus Ministry (Ruston, Monroe).

Texas: Parish ministry at Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Francisco de la Espada and Cabrini (San Antonio) military chaplain, ministry to senior citizens, preaching ministry.

Missionaries: Thailand, Brazil, Africa, Vietnam, Turkey, Cuba