Franciscan Mission Service was founded on the idea that laity have an important role to play in the Church and have their own call to mission. In addition, its founder Fr. Anselm Moons, OFM, believed that the Catholic Church has a missionary task to not only address issues of justice in impoverished areas but to evangelize places of power, affluence, and privilege.

Therefore, Franciscan Mission Service trains and helps lay people serve in solidarity with marginalized communities, and then encourages them to be advocates for peace, justice, reconciliation, and care for creation through the sharing of their experiences with North Americans.

More than 175 lay people have come through Franciscan Mission Service’s various programs since 1990, serving in 19 countries and Washington, DC.

As an independent 501(c)(3), Franciscan Mission Service relies on donations in order to offer service opportunities in the tradition of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi that are relational, radical, reconciling, and relevant.

 

These photos are just a few examples of the missioners and ministries of Franciscan Mission Service’s first 25 years. They were on display at the World Care Benefit and Celebration (May 1, 2015) is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.