The Provincial and Definitory of the Province of Ireland comprising both Irish and British friars.

Today we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the coming of the Friars Minor to England. Nine friars landed in Dover on 10 September 1224. We thank God for the glorious history of the British Province down through the centuries - a hertiage of apostolic zeal, learning and faithfulness in times of persecution.

The Irish Province was founded by friars from England in 1230, and now the British friars are members of the Province of Ireland.

Massimo Fusarelli, OFM, Minister General, recalls that the 800th anniversary of the Franciscan presence in the British Isles is part of the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the last period of St Francis' life, who died in 1226.

“It is certainly no coincidence that the first Franciscan mission to England took place in 1224, precisely at that unique time in the life of the Poverello when he received the Stigmata on Mount La Verna. It was born, as it were, from his wounded heart, strong in his love for the Gospel and for humanity.

"Francis had already sent his brothers to various parts of Europe to live and proclaim the Gospel in a poor and humble way. England, at the time under the reign of Henry III, was a territory ripe for evangelisation and spiritual reform. For this reason, the arrival of the first friars in Dover on 10 September 1224 was an event of great importance in the religious and cultural history of the country”.  

A book of Franciscan essays, marking this historic anniversary, has been published by Franciscan Publishing.

Details here: https://www.franciscanpublishing.com/.../celebrating-800.../