The Franciscan friars live in service and solidarity with the poor and marginalized, honoring a legacy that began over 800 years ago when St. Francis of Assisi took to the streets to care for lepers and the outcasts of his day.

The friars have a rich history of outreach ministry, helping those who would otherwise be forgotten and left behind. American history was made in 1539 when the first friars established missions among the Native peoples in present-day Arizona and New Mexico. In the nearly 500 years since then, our regional U.S. provinces brought our ministries of kindness and care to millions of poor, hungry, sick, and homeless in the United States and abroad.

A few years ago, the state of the world and the growing needs of the many compelled us to unite our regional U.S. provinces and expand and enrich our three-pronged mission to help the poor, better prepare our young friars for ministry, and care for our retired and elder friars who have served so many for so long.

In the fall of 2023, the Franciscan friars in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Cuba formed one new province called the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This new national Province created a new charity, Franciscan Friars Charities, so donors from all regions of the U.S. can go to a single destination to help those in need.

Sponsored by Franciscan Friars Charities, Franciscan TV is a completely free resource; however, your contributions help the friars serve the over 2 million people who come to us each year in desperate need of help.

Please consider supporting the friars with a generous donation. And remember to visit Franciscan TV often to discover new and uplifting video content!