This month many Catholics take a break from austere Lenten practices to observe the feast of St. Patrick. That celebration is seen as both a feast in honor of Irish heritage in general and the Christian evangelization he brought to Ireland.
Patrick lived in the fifth and sixth centuries, having brought the faith from his native Britain to what was then perceived as an island on the fringe of European civilization.
It took some time, but the Franciscans would arrive in Ireland in the 13th century. The dates are sometimes disputed, but around 1231 the friars established a province, a stunning achievement when one considers the distance between Assisi and Ireland.
The community grew. Tradition holds that the Franciscans first came to Ireland during Francis’ lifetime.
They became part of what became the mendicant reform movement in the church, becoming a part of life in cities and towns, moving beyond the traditional view of Religious orders confined to hermitages.
By the 1500s, the friars became immersed in what was known as the Observant Reform. That school emphasized the role of the friars in preaching. The movement came to Limerick Friary in 1534, at the bequest of the rulers of the city, and the friars established themselves as preachers.
The Franciscans found fertile ground in Ireland, growing and establishing scores of communities across the country. For centuries, they were able to operate peacefully and their numbers increased.
However, Queen Elizabeth imposed a draconian regime in Ireland, with the British crown attempting to force the people to abandon the Catholic faith. Religious orders were suppressed, and their properties transferred to the royal treasury. Yet, historians note that the Franciscans, because of their poverty, were able to emerge from persecution, as their community holdings were often left untouched. They had the support of much of the nobility, which admired the friars for their ministry in education and care for the poor.
As the persecution waned, the friars looked outward, in the spirit both of St. Francis and St. Patrick. Friars of Irish descent have been a strong source of vocations for the Franciscans in the United States. Irish friars were instrumental in establishing a custody of the Good Shepherd in Zimbabwe.
This month, we celebrate the missionary zeal of St. Patrick! Franciscans from Ireland and those of Irish descent have preached the Gospel and ministered to the poor to North America as well as Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Giving to the Franciscans allows you to share in their mission. A Planned Giving donation can be part of your overall financial and estate planning. Options for giving are available via bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance policies, and retirement accounts.
To learn more about how you can help the Franciscan Friars, contact Bro. Paul O’Keeffe, OFM, via email at pokeeffe@friars.us or by calling (646) 278-4699.