To mark the 800th anniversary of the arrival of the friars in England, Minister Provincial Aidan McGrath OFM has written a letter to the Franciscan friars in Britian and Ireland.
On 10th September 1224 nine Friars Minor landed in Dover, England, the simple beginning of the Franciscan presence and mission in these islands.
The "season" is from 1 September to 4 October (feast of St Francis). This year's theme is: "To hope and act with creation."
We are part of the world-wide Franciscan Order present in 120 countries with some 13,000 friars. The wider Irish Province includes the Custody (Region) of the Good Shepherd in Zimbabwe and the Custody of the Immaculate Conception in Great Britain.
