In the early days of the province, Franciscan friars worked primarily in ethnic and immigrant parishes and in education. Since that time, and especially in the present day, friars have worked in a variety of ministries. Whether in hospitals or community organizing, in skilled trades or social work with the poor, the friars have sought to share their gospel life in a personal way. Friars continue to staff parishes in a number of urban and rural areas that reach out to all people, regardless of ethnic, cultural or economic status. Together with Franciscan Sisters, Secular Franciscans, and Franciscan volunteers, the friars staff five major retreat houses. Four of the old missions entrusted to the care of the friars have likewise become centers of retreat and renewal. Friars also continue to teach in high schools, colleges, universities and medical schools and in a variety of religious education programs as well. The Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, administered and staffed by friars from our province together with other religious and lay people, trains friars, women and men, both religious and lay, for ministry. Friars also work as chaplains in hospitals and prisons, with refugees, and on issues of justice, peace, ecology, and human rights. You can learn about some of the work the friars are doing throughout the world by visiting the Works section of this site.

The brothers, as men who are truly poor in spirit and inspired by the example of St. Francis, should consider work and service as a gift of God. They should present themselves, therefore, as lesser brothers whom no one need fear, for they want to serve others and not be their masters. Recognizing that work is the normal and principle way of providing for our needs, each and every brother should seek to be of service, and work faithfully and devotedly, fleeing idleness as the enemy of the soul. (GC, 76)