Franciscan Brothers of Peace, Inc.

The Franciscan Brothers of Peace, by prayer and works of mercy, grant free aid for the physical, spiritual and emotional the poor.

Patricia (not her real name) is an African Immigrant to Minnesota. She is married, with two young children under 5. When she comes to our door seeking supplemental foodstuffs and other household items from our food shelf mission, she is in medical scrubs for she is a hardworking CNA and a nursing student at a local college. On top of it all, the family just began payments on their first home.

As I helped bring her food, hygiene, and baby supplies to her ride, I asked her, "how can we pray for you today Patricia?" (Because we, the Franciscan Brothers are here to feed the soul and the body.) She paused and took a deep breath. She tried to hold back tears and almost turned away. Then she said, "my husband has just asked for a divorce. He is already living with another woman."

In shock, heartbroken for her, I did the only helpful thing I knew to do as her Brother. I led a raw prayer standing there outside the car. After ending with the Our Father together, she looked at me and said thank-you. She was grateful to be heard and to be reminded that somehow, the power of Jesus will help her through this painful time.

A few weeks later during a busy Food Shelf operation, we saw her again. She waited her turn patiently. We strive to give each person our full attention, the dignity and respect that each deserve as beloved children of God, though, often with several parties awaiting help at our door, this can take time. 

I was eager to check in and see how she was doing. She said, "He will not help raise our children! He will not help pay for our house! The divorce is being finalized. I have asked my mother to come from Nigeria to help me with the children, so I can continue my work to provide for us and somehow pay rent on this new home. The university has suspended me because my studies were incomplete. Please pray that they will give me another chance to be a nurse!"

And this all came out at once in an emotional agony!

This time we were near the friary chapel, so I suggested we step in and say a prayer to Jesus directly. She agreed. We stood, facing Jesus in the tabernacle. As I began to pray, she made the familiar Sign of the Cross....the only Cross with the Power to lighten her own heavy cross. I led a humble short prayer, for this situation that was beyond words. 

After the Our Father, she breathed deeply, and this time looked upward with confidence. I believe she received a renewed hope and strength from the Holy Spirit. We brought her items to her car. 

We are Patricia's Brothers. We are here to lift her up, remind her of her dignity, so she can thrive. We are inspired by this mother who will soon, God willing, be a Registered Nurse. We intend to keep helping Patricia with diapers, food, hygiene items, and our prayers. The material help comes from you. 

There are many food shelves in the metro area, but we, the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, focus on bodies AND souls. Our food shelf operation receives zero government funding, but, due to the impending cessation of SNAP benefits, our clientele requests have recently increased by 30 percent. 

There are many more Patricias coming to our door. 

Will you please help us help them?