History and geography
The Order of Friars Minor (The Franciscans) was founded by St Francis more than 800 years ago. From the small Italian town of Assisi it spread quickly through the world. In 1908 friars from Quebec came to Fort Saskatchewan, AB. From that humble beginning, the Province of Christ the King (The Franciscan world is divided into regions called provinces) now extends throughout western Canada. We have friaries in Lumsden (near Regina), Cochrane (near Calgary), Edmonton, and Victoria with one mission in Moquegua, Peru. Some friars also live in parishes where there are no friaries established. We have about 40 friars and are part of over 17000 Franciscans world wide in 103 countries.
 

Our way of life
Consecrating our selves to God by our profession of the Evangelical Counsels (vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience), we endeavor to share the message and life of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the vision of St. Francis of Assisi. This vision is straightforward: To live the Gospel simply and humbly as brothers to all and in loving fraternity with each other.

Our life of prayer
The very source of our life is our communion with God in private and communal prayer. Our common prayer consists of the daily celebration of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours, Days of Recollection and a yearly Retreat.

Friars are expected to spend time each day in personal prayer. The basis of our contemplation is the Scriptures with the Gospels having a pre-eminent place. Through prayer we transform our lives so that, like Francis, we ourselves become a prayer.

 
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About us

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Process of Initiation into Franciscan Life

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Our life of ministry
Our primary and most fundamental ministry is the witness that our lives give of the love of God in Jesus Christ. This “ministry of presence” flows from our life of prayer and permeates all our other ministries. The friars are involved in a large variety of ministries including retreat centres, parishes, teaching, counseling, chaplaincy, street ministry, home care, Secular Franciscans (the “Third Order”) to name a few. Other friars are involved in supporting ministries such as the maintenance of our houses and vehicles.		  
   
 
Our life of fraternity
The Franciscans evolved from a small band of men who gathered around St. Francis to support each other in their effort to follow Jesus Christ more closely. We are, therefore, first a brotherhood. And the purpose of our fraternal life is simply to live the Gospel. It is not merely a practical convenience to facilitate our various ministries but a Gospel value in itself. It is our communal sign to the world of the Gospel life. Our fraternal life is lightly structured to allow for different work schedules and spontaneity. Our daily structure evolves around communal prayer and meals.

Our life of prayer
The very source of our life is our communion with God in private and communal prayer. Our common prayer consists of the daily celebration of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours, Days of Recollection and a yearly Retreat.

Friars are expected to spend time each day in personal prayer. The basis of our contemplation is the Scriptures with the Gospels having a pre-eminent place. Through prayer we transform our lives so that, like Francis, we ourselves become a prayer.

 

Our life of ministry
Our primary and most fundamental ministry is the witness that our lives give of the love of God in Jesus Christ. This “ministry of presence” flows from our life of prayer and permeates all our other ministries. The friars are involved in a large variety of ministries including retreat centres, parishes, teaching, counseling, chaplaincy, street ministry, home care, Secular Franciscans (the “Third Order”) to name a few. Other friars are involved in supporting ministries such as the maintenance of our houses and vehicles.

 

Our life of fraternity
The Franciscans evolved from a small band of men who gathered around St. Francis to support each other in their effort to follow Jesus Christ more closely. We are, therefore, first a brotherhood. And the purpose of our fraternal life is simply to live the Gospel. It is not merely a practical convenience to facilitate our various ministries but a Gospel value in itself. It is our communal sign to the world of the Gospel life. Our fraternal life is lightly structured to allow for different work schedules and spontaneity. Our daily structure evolves around communal prayer and meals.