Order of Saint Francis
A Contemporary Expression of Franciscan Tradition within the Anglican Communion
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Saint Francis of Assisi Research Library
Peace and all good to you from the little brothers of the Order of Saint Francis (OSF)!
We are an active, Apostolic Christian religious order within the Anglican Communion, in communion with the See of Canterbury. Rather than living in an enclosed communal setting, OSF Brothers live independently in different parts of the world, with ministries based on the needs of their local communities. Members are baptized men who have been confirmed within the Anglican Communion who voluntarily commit to live by a set of professed vows for a term of years or for life.
The order was founded in 2003 by Br Nicholas Kis. We are now blessed to have 24 vowed brothers serving Christ across the world.
Due to COVID half the brothers met in person and the other half attended virtually this year.
Please consider supporting our ministries.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization.
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Br. Ugo Barbiere
Pilgrimage to La Verna: Following the footsteps of St. Francis to the Cross
A traditional pilgrimage is the process of following in the footsteps of others toward the Divine, a process that requires emptying oneself in order to follow the directions of the Holy Spirit. This is how I describe my journey to the remote Sanctuary of La Verna in the Apennine Mountains at the end of Lent 2024. The previous year I had visited briefly, long enough to feel the power of that sacred mountain, “the Franciscan Gethsemane.” Since that first visit I felt called to return.
Eight hundred years ago St. Francis travelled to this remote spot, searching for solitude to complement his profound need to understand the suffering and the immense love of his beloved Saviour. He prayed for 40 days before receiving the marks of Crucifixion on his own body. I resolved to honour the 800th anniversary of this occasion by ending my own 40-day Lenten practice at the Sanctuary of La Verna.
In August 2023, as I began the logistics for the trip, I knew that I wanted to do a pilgrimage in proxy for my beloved Franciscan brothers and for those who needed special help from our Saviour. In short, I decided to become a “prayer mule,” that is, a pack animal carrying the prayers of others rather than my own burden. In true Franciscan style, I would embark on this journey by erasing myself through service.
With the permission and blessing of the Order, I set out a few days before Holy Week in March 2024 carrying a medium-sized backpack and a classic, Franciscan satchel slung over my shoulder. I set out with a small book of prayers containing submissions from my brothers and from friends of all beliefs. My intention was to carry this handbound book at all times. Indeed, the volume became part of me during those two weeks.
In addition to prayers submitted by others, I composed prayers for my parish and for the Indigenous people who have cared for land where I live and worship. And with that prayer, I carried a Cross fashioned by an Indigenous artist. I was laden with a great and powerful task that would require deep humility and contemplation in the days ahead.
I arrived in Assisi where I stayed for the three days before Holy Week. That first night I met Brother Hawk, a Franciscan brother who lives and serves in a small village in southern Tuscany. Upon meeting, we were blessed with a strong fraternal bond and, as a result, we spent the subsequent two days in prayer and in deep, spiritual communion. What a beautiful honour it was to share “prayer mule” responsibilities with him, kneeling side by side before the Cross of San Damiano and behind the tomb of our beloved, Seraphic Father!
On Palm Sunday immediately after Brother Hawk’s departure, rather than participate in the grand procession and mass at the large basilica, I decided to represent my Order and my country at Saint Leonard’s Church together with the local Anglicans of Assisi. The ancient church appeared to have been constructed in tribute St. Francis’ experience at La Verna. The walls were decorated with ornate frescoes of scenes from his life, culminating in images of his sacred encounter with the Divine.
Upon arrival on Palm Sunday, I was welcomed warmly. “You are a Franciscan Friar from Canada?” asked the pastor. “We have not had a friar from Canada in a long time. Welcome!” Like the walls surrounding the close-knit group, the pastor’s homily was all about the saint, a profound mix of Anglican and Franciscan spirituality. A perfect prelude to the week ahead.
Early Monday morning, I set out for La Verna, a slow voyage into the Apennine Mountains in Tuscany. Upon arrival the resident friars were curious to know where I came from and inquired about my “prayer mule” task. “When the pilgrims arrive, it may become difficult to find solitude,” counselled a resident friar. “Please let us know if you need anything.”
Each day, however, I always found a new spot to offer the prayers that I carried. One day, knelt beside the rough rock that St. Francis used as a bed. On the subsequent day, I found a spot out of the rain on the Sasso Spicco (“the rock that juts out”) where St. Francis often retired to pray. Even as the pilgrims began to arrive later in the week, I was blessed with a private spot to offer prayers. Friday evening, however, after the Triduum had commenced in earnest, I found it more and more difficult to find seclusion. In a miraculous gesture that night, I received a text message from my Franciscan brother in southern Tuscany. “Why don’t you come to my Castell’Azzara tomorrow for a few days. I want you to experience this village. Is it OK if I pick you up tomorrow evening?”
I knew when I surrendered myself to God at La Verna earlier in the week, I was figuratively throwing away my carefully planned itinerary. “Indeed,” I reasoned, “isn’t that really what a pilgrimage is all about, learning to trust in God to lead the way?”
At the remote village of Castell’Azzara beside my Franciscan brother, I was introduced to the generous and warm people of the village. I met his compassionate companion, Morgan. I met the amicable priest of the village. I met the animals, including Brother Hawk’s massive Tuscan dog, a Maremmano breed. Brother Hawk is a healer with a profound background in Western and Chinese Medicine. It was my honour to have stood beside him as he ministered with great compassion to the seniors in the village. I would offer the prayer in Italian while he used his healing touch. The people of the village had warmly embraced both Brother Hawk and his companion, Morgan, and I felt honoured to support them in their service. Life is simple and uncomplicated in Castell’ Azzara, a way of life that reminded me of my own first years in Italy fifty years ago. A wonderfully slow pace.
The last day in the Village, I was asked, “Fra Ugo, when are you coming back?” A question posed quite a few times during my three-day visit. To which I responded, “I do not have an exact date, but I know I will be back in the coming year.” Brother Hawk nodded his head in the affirmative. “I promise I will be back,” I said.
I have been home now for four days in the small apartment here in the West End of Vancouver and I feel so blessed. I have been blessed by the many people who prayed for me along this pilgrimage. No longer my pilgrimage, it had become their pilgrimage, too. I was led to the sacred mount of La Verna and then I was led beyond, to that blessed place of compassionate service and peace.
Il Signore ci dia la pace! May the Lord grant us peace!.
Ordination to the Deaconate
Brother Les was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland on June 4th, 2022.
Br. Paul Dahlke
Going for a walk.. on the Pacific Crest Trail
For those of you that know Br Paul it does not surprise you that he likes to walk. He seems to prefer that mode of getting around more than any. Walking to work, walking to church, just walking. Miles of walking. So it should not have been much of a surprise to the brothers when he announced that he would walk the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
The PCT starts near the US Mexico border in California and winds it's way through the California, Oregon, and Washington state for about 2,650 miles. Many people attempt sections of the trail and a few brave souls attempt the whole thing.
After getting his permit for the trail he embarked on March the 3rd. Brother Paul said he did not pack any cooking devices such as a stove because it would just add extra weight. He packed very light. Luckily there are sufficient locations along the route to replenish supplies, get mail, take a hot shower, and eat to replenish your body's supplies. He mentioned that he has lost a lot of weight. It is early September and the last entry he made indicated he was near Leavenworth WA. We anxiously await the safe return of our brother.
To follow Br Paul's trip click here.
Br. Andrew Jones
Ministry at Saint Ann's Church for the Deaf
St. Ann’s Church for the Deaf is the oldest and first church for the Deaf in the United States. St. Ann’s was founded in 1852 by the Rev. Thomas Gallaudet and was incorporated into the Episcopal Church in 1854. Their first service in sign language was held on October 3, 1852 in the chapel of New York University.
I freely admit that my reason for starting to visit them in the fall of 2019 was just to brush up on my ASL and re-immerse myself in signing and the Deaf community. But that motivation quickly changed. You see, St. Ann’s has been without a priest for over 8 years and they had been relying on the monthly visitation of a Deaf priest. The other Sundays utilized a very cobbled-together liturgy, led by a lay leader, of the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament from the presanctified elements.
Our Bishop strongly desires that when the services of a priest are not available, the principle service be one of the daily offices. The Office of Morning Prayer was completely alien to this congregation so I quickly fell into the task of introducing them to, and shepherding them through, the morning office.
Justice - Poor People's Campaign
Epidemics emerge along the fissures of our society, reflecting not only the biology of the infectious agent, but patterns of marginalization, exclusion and discrimination. The coronavirus pandemic is no exception. COVID-19 has revealed deep social and economic failures and will reinforce existing health inequities. Before COVID-19, nearly 700 people were dying every day from poverty and inequality, yet the legislative response does not account for the 140 million people who are poor or one emergency closer to being poor today.
Poverty takes an enormous toll on this country and its people every day. The economic and social costs of poverty and the injustices of systemic racism, militarism and ecological devastation are unsustainable. The United States has the wealth to end these interlocking injustices, but the political will is lacking. This is why we are organizing among those most impacted by these injustices to compel this country to take action. Fight poverty, not the poor!
In the U.S. today, 52.1 percent of children under the age of 18 are poor or low-income (38.5 million children). When more than half of our children do not know if they will have a place to sleep, nutritious meals, and safe communities, we are failing our families and compromising the future of this country. It does not need to be this way. We have abundant resources for our children.
Militarism and violence are the hallmarks of U.S. policy at home and abroad. From war to mass incarceration and beyond, these policies amplify poverty, racism and environmental degradation. They can and must change.
Br Allen White
Saint Francis Of Assisi Research Library
On behalf of the The Saint Francis of Assisi Research Library, Brother Allen White, OSF and the library staff we wish you peace and all good! You are most welcome here!
Launched in the summer of 2018 with the gift of just four books on the Poverello, the Saint Francis of Assisi Research Library officially launched its website and opened its doors to the public on the Feast of Saint Francis, October 4, 2020. Since its founding, the library has grown to become one of the largest research libraries of its kind in the world dedicated exclusively to the life, history, and study of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Our library’s ever-growing catalog of more than 800 books in 40 unique collections includes the titles of some of the world’s most recognized Franciscan scholars and authors writing on Franciscan philosophy, theology, spirituality, and history from the 13th to the 21st century. As such, the library is a Franciscan athenaeum—a sanctuary for anyone interested in learning about the Franciscan intellectual and spiritual tradition.
And working right here from our humble home within Hope Center Houston, our library’s mission is to celebrate and share the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi with the world through its research, education, advocacy, and personal ministry of Franciscan friar, Brother Allen White, OSF.
Finally, as a proud member of ATLA (American Theological Library Association), we are also a lending library offering most of our catalog, research assistance, and resource materials at little or no charge to registered friends of the library, including the brothers of the Order of Saint Francis (OSF), the world-wide Franciscan family, and both students and scholars alike working on various Franciscan research and writing projects around the world.
For now, we hope you’ll take the time to look around and enjoy exploring all the resources of this website, including our catalog powered by Library Thing and Tiny Cat. But when you are ready, we look forward to meeting you face-to-face, providing you with a personal tour of our world-class Franciscan book collections, and introducing you to our beloved Saint Francis of Assisi whose imitation of Christ and timeless message of humility, peace, and love for all of creation still lives in our minds and burns in our hearts today in the twenty-first century.
Vicars
The Rev. Michael Roeske
Chaplain
We are honored to have the Rev. Michael Roeske serving as our current chaplain. Father Michael is currently the rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne, IN in the Diocese of Northern Indiana.