Francis, go and rebuild my house!
St Francis found much joy in living the Gospel and inspired thousands of men and women to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. In today’s troubled world, Irish Franciscans continue to share the good news of God’s love in ways that we hope will inspire people of our time.
Franciscan ministries flow from our prayer and fraternity. Francis said to the friars before he died: "I have done what is my part to do, May Christ show you yours."
We reach out to all people, especially the poor and marginalized in our world, bringing the Good News of God's love in Christ Jesus.
The profound, yet simple insight of St. Francis and the early friars was to live the Gospel - the teaching, and actions of Jesus. The Irish friars also bring this insight to their Franciscan ministries.
The Franciscan friars were not founded for any other mission than to live the Gospel. This means that every ministry and worthwhile work is open to the friars, according to their individual gifts and the needs of the Church and the world.
Irish Franciscans live our mission of rebuilding the house of God today through serving in the Catholic Church in Franciscan ministries that include preachers of the Gospel, scholars, educators, artists, confessors, writers, musicians, hospital chaplains to schools, hospitals and Travellers, parish priests, foreign missionaries, retreat work and parish missions, pilgrimages to Lourdes and the Holy Land, youth ministry, pastoral care of the Poor Clares, and, of course, advocates for the poor and forgotten.
The Irish friars have friaries in a number of the major towns and cities around the country as well as in some quieter rural locations such as Rossnowlagh in Co. Donegal and Multyfarnham in Co. Westmeath.
And the friars also have strong links abroad. The Irish Province also has pastoral responsibility for one parish: St Anthony's Parish in Kraainem, Belgium, which is the parish for English-speakers in Brussels.
Within our friaries and churches we carry out a range of activities. One of the principal services offered is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In most of our friaries a friar is available for Confession or to provide a listening ear each weekday for several hours each day. This is a very popular service and appeals to people from all walks of life who avail of the opportunity to open their hearts to someone in absolute confidence.
Imbued with the joy and hope of St. Francis, our Franciscan fraternities and churches throughout Ireland are places where faith comes to life: in community, liturgy, the day-to-day life of discipleship, spiritual formation, the struggles and joys of the people of God, and most importantly, in mission: going forth from the table of Word and Eucharist to tend the wounds of the world.
