Franciscan Friars Third Order Regular

The friars of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis and members of the Province of the Immaculate Conception take vows that challenge us to live a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the Church. These vows allow us to further the work of our founder and patron, Saint Francis of Assisi, who followed the crucified and risen Savior without question or regret.

As Franciscans in service to the Church, we listen to the teachings of Jesus Christ with assurance of God the Father and the Holy Spirit; we listen to God's teaching in the Church; and we listen to God's holy people as they speak to us.

The Franciscan lifestyle dictates that we, as pupils of Saint Francis of Assisi, respond to God's word by following the example of our patron: we live simply, free of possessions and attitudes; dedicated to our brotherhood by answering the mission of the Church; bringing the message of conversion to all we meet in God's name.

We are committed as friars, on a personal and corporate level, to a life given over to prayer and contemplation; the continuous conversion of our hearts, minds and souls; the revelation of the Lord to the spiritually blind; preaching the message of reconciliation and healing embodied in Christ.

We are to work among the people and to offer them a witness of Christian life by word and example. The Friars of the Province of the Immaculate Conception in the United States are active in parishes, education, retreat work, hospital ministry, and foreign missions.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born into eternal life.

There is an unwritten philosophy that underlies our ministry in as Franciscans of the Third Order Regular, Immaculate Conception Province, USA. Basically, it goes like this: People support the work of our Franciscan priests and brothers and our missionaries and our missionary endeavors because they believe in us and what we do. We do this in many ways. The bottom line is that the friars are called to give of themselves, unselfishly, to others.

We believe that people will continue to give to us as long as we continue to give to others. As long as we continue to give what we receive, we will continue to receive. Strange? Yes. Realistic? Definitely!

How to help

Donations and Gifts: The Franciscans are a community that supports the missionary efforts of the Franciscans both at home and abroad. By giving you are aiding the Franciscans in their missionary endeavors.

Mass Intentions: Mass stipends are sent to our foreign missionaries to assist them in their living and ministry needs. The normal stipend for a Mass is $10.

Cash and Checks: These are the most popular and convenient ways of giving charitable donations. Such gifts are tax-deductible.

Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds: In giving this way, you can deduct the entire value from your taxable income and you avoid the capital gains tax.

Charitable Gift Annuity: These are gifts of cash, stock or some other security. In return for the gift, the Franciscan Friars pays you a fixed annual amount of money for the remainder of your life.

Leave a Legacy: You can remember the Franciscan Friars in your will, life insurance, retirement plan, charitable remainder trust and other vehicles.

Giving Made Easy: You can donate to the Franciscan Friars by check (make checks payable to Franciscans, St. Bernardine Monastery.

Our mailing address is:

Rev. Adalbert Wolski, TOR
St. Bernardine Monastery
P.O. Box 139
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648-0139

Toll Free Number: 866-695-3802