Shout out to the Friars

When someone mentions ‘Catholic Priest,’ most people imagine a strict man, trapped in a tight black suit, choked by a stiff white collar. This black and white stereotype of your typical diocesan priest, however does not describe the catholic priests of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

Left to Right: Brother Diego, Brother Roch, Father Felix. 

The Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) often wear gray hooded robes called habits. Hundreds of years ago, Saint Francis – the founding father of the CFRs – did not desire to wear the fancy robes preferred by most clergy, but instead wished to blend in with the poor and common folk.  In the 12^th century, the poor and common folk wore plain, simple habits. In continuation of this practice, the CFRs today wear the simple gray habit.

Friars wear a rope belt around the waist of their habit. The rope contains three knots, symbolizing the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. 

 Like Saint Francis, today’s friars often prefer to blend in with the common man and can therefore,  opt to wear modest jeans, a ball cap, and t-shirt when working with the poor out in the field.

Father Rich (left) wearing the habit - common dress of the poor in the time of his patron, Saint Francis, stands next to his brother - Father Paschal - who dons the clothing of today's common man. 

From Left to Right: Deacon John, Mark, and Brother Roch (CFR). 

 Not all friars are priests  - some do not have a vocation, or calling from God, to the priesthood, and therefore carry out their religious life as “brothers.”  Fraternity is a major part of the CFRs. Often times; ordained brothers (aka “priests”) will refer to themselves first as “brothers who happen to be priests as well.” In this fraternal setting, the friars serve each other in chores such as cooking, cleaning, yard work/gardening, and maintenance – Friaries are not allowed to hire employees to work in the Friary. Saint Francis believed in the importance of manual labor, especially among men.

The fraternal lifestyle and community living amongst the CFRs is second only to their prayer lifestyle.  Everything the Friars do revolves around a personal relationship to Christ through the sacraments, scripture, and prayer. The Friars begin their individual prayers at 5 A.M. followed by silent meditation until group prayer (morning prayer) at 6:30. Immediately following morning prayers, they celebrate Mass together.

Father Felix (left) the celebrant, gets ready to head into the chapel to celebrate Mass with Deacon John (middle) and Brother (Deacon) Roch. 

Throughout the rest of the day, the Friars carry out their “apostolate” duties to preach the Word of God and serve the poor. This duty encompasses a wide variety of works, such as home visits to the sick, elderly, or orphans, begging on the streets (the friars rely on God’s providence for their own livelihoods), children’s ministry, construction projects, etc. The Friars carry out their apostolate duties in poor areas all across the world: in New York, New Jersey, Honduras, Nicaragua, and in London.

Father Felix (left) at the House Construction Site. 

Brother (Deacon) Roch (CFR) shovels dirt out of the back of a pickup truck.

Father Youssef  with Jonathan and Glenda at Cenaculo.

Father Rich with Jim, Mark, and Russ.

Brother Diego with the children.

Jim (left) with Brother Roch and Father Paschal.

Father Rich putting up new roofing.

By 5:00 PM, the Friars return from “the field” to gather for Holy Hour in the chapel. During Holy Hour, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for silent adoration and prayer. According to one Brother, the spiritual food from the Eucharist – consumed during Mass, and later adored during Holy Hour, gives him the strength to work in “the field.” Many times, there is little consolation in serving the poorest of the poor.

Eucharistic Adoration during Holy Hour in the chapel.

Following Holy Hour and evening prayers, the Friars sit down together for dinner. Dinner is the only formal meal of the day – somebody is assigned each night to cook and set the table.  In Honduras, the Friars eat rice and beans for dinner.  Dinner is normally followed with some form of recreational activity, and the day is concluded with prayer.

Formation in the CFRs takes six years before one makes final vows.  The first year, called “postulancy,” is mainly a year of discernment. After the second year, called “novitiate,” young men make temporary vows to poverty, chastity, and obedience – then receive two habits and their rosary. These temporary vows are renewed annually for four years until a friar makes his final vows to God. If a young man wishes to leave the order at any point during this six-year period before taking final vows, he may. Not everyone is called to this lifestyle. To those who have generously and freely answered a vocation to join the CFRs, we are grateful. 

L-R: Father Richard, Father Paschal, Father Felix, Father Ussef, and Brother (Deacon) Roch.

Regardless of one’s vocation in life, everyone has a universal calling from God to Holiness.  For those of us who have been called to married life, or some other religious vocation, spending one week with CFRs is, nonetheless, a true blessing.