Since the day of his death almost 800 years ago, the story of St. Francis of Assisi has captured the imagination of artists, theologians, musicians, and people of every faith. In our own time, the story of St. Francis continues to inspire Catholic men to religious life as Friars Minor (Lesser Brothers), as they place their hands in the hands of their Provincial Minister and profess their vows.

The Rule and life of the Friars Minor is this, namely, to observe the Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by living in obedience, without anything of one's own, and in chastity.

The organizational center for the Order of Friars Minor in the Western United States is the Province of Saint Barbara. As part of the global Order of Friars Minor we are lead by our General Minister based in Rome, the 120th successor of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The friars of the Province of St. Barbara live and serve in California, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington, with communities whose profiles cross ethnic, cultural and economic boundaries. We serve in the Holy Land, Mexico, Russia, and in Native American nations of the southwestern United States.

The Values We Strive to Live Out

Prayer: Grounded in the Eucharist and in both communal and individual experiences of God, the friars of the Saint Barbara Province embrace prayer as an integral element of our Franciscan calling. We seek loving union with God and each other through Jesus Christ.

Fraternity: As brothers who love and rely on one another, the friars of the Province of Saint Barbara celebrate bonds that transcend family ties, national origin, and culture. Our vocation of fraternity extends beyond our own community, recognizing as brother and sister all of God’s people and all of God’s creation.

Joy: …that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete (Jn. 15:11). As disciples of Christ in the tradition of the joyful poor man of Assisi, the friars of the Saint Barbara Province are called by joy in gratitude for God’s never-ending abundance.

Service: Transformed and inspired by the Gospel, the friars of the Saint Barbara Province dedicate themselves to loving service. We strive to respond to all we meet with care, justice, compassion, and humility.