St. Anthony bread is a term used for offerings made in thanksgiving to God for blessings received through the prayers of St. Anthony. Sometimes the alms are given for the education of priests. In some places parents also make a gift for the poor after placing a newborn child under the protection of St. Anthony. It is a practice in some churches to bless small loaves of bread on the feast of St. Anthony and give them to those who want them. Learn more »

The Shrine Society was formed in 1928 as society dedicated to maintaining the Shrine and furthering devotion to St. Anthony. Today the Shrine Society is an association that supports the work of the Franciscans, especially among the poor.

Shrine Society members are remembered in daily Masses and prayers of the friars, are remembered each Tuesday at the Shrine Mass honoring St. Anthony and are listed in the St. Anthony Shrine Society Register which is maintained at the Shrine.

A statue of St. Anthony is offered for any gift of $35.00 or more to the Shrine Society.

Taking the Gospel “on the road” to other places has been an essential part of our ministry from the beginning. Our province’s missionary work began in 1898 at St. Michaels Mission, Arizona, ministering to the Navajo People. We are in inner-cities in the mid-West and South, in the Appalachian areas of Southeastern Kentucky and Southern Pennsylvania and on the U.S. – Mexican Border. We are in the Philippines, Japan, Kenya, Jamaica, Mexico, and have a twinning relationship with the friars in Pakistan. We support the missionary work of the Order which touches every continent. Generally, the friars in the missions are working among the poor in poor circumstances and require assistance. The support of friends and benefactors is essential to this work.

Formation describes the process of “forming” men who are discerning a Franciscan vocation. Once a young man comes to us we assume the complete cost of his care; room, board, health care, education, etc. A young man will be in formation for a minimum of five years; postulancy, novitiate, and 3 years in temporary vows. After five years it is possible to make solemn profession, a permanent commitment to the Franciscans. After solemn profession the men typically are still in studies in preparation for ministry. The formation process is very costly and we rely on financial support from our benefactors.

“All the brothers should serve their brothers who are weak, sick or elderly, just as ‘they would wish to be served themselves.’ All brothers…should show loving concern for them, visit them and suitably help them in their spiritual and temporal needs, and express thankful appreciation to them.” (Article 44 of the General Constitutions of the Order) We have an obligation to our senior and infirm brothers. The expenses associated with retirement and health care are substantial so we confidently turn to our friends and benefactors to assist in their care.