A prayerful life of spiritual development is the particular goal of each Franciscan. Through such a life, each member reaches out to other men and women with a powerful example of what is possible even in a materialistic, hectic, sometimes despairing world.

Each Friary offers a different aspect of our life and ministry. San Damiano Friary, located in San Francisco, is our formation house. Brothers come to discover what it means to be a Franciscan. Postulants, those brothers in their first months, and Novices, clothed in the traditional habit (robe, rope, hood), learn about service and prayer in an urban ministry. They also learn from brothers about the writings and life of Francis and what it means to be a brother in contemporary America.

This Spring, we opened a Berkeley annex to our San Francisco house. We are blessed to have many new men joining the way of the lesser brothers. To welcome more brothers we will be using the former Holy Cross Monastery in the hills of Berkeley near the Berkeley Theological Union.

Little Portion Friary (right), Mt. Sinai, New York, is our Friary focused on Hospitality Ministry. We have groups and individuals visit all throughout the year. We offer a place of solace and community. Guests come for vestry retreats, workshops and retreats offered by the brothers, labyrinth walks and potluck dinners. Our bakery is open year round for our loyal customers and guests.

Each of our houses has daily prayer and Eucharist services open to the public.

There are nineteen friars in the Province of the Americas and five friars of the Order of St. Francis in Brazil soon to become part of the Society of St. Francis. Each house gives new opportunities for brothers to explore their specific gifts and tryout new ways of experiencing God's call.