Return to Previous Page
Return to Main Directory Page
Print this Listing
Contact us to add your community to this Directory
Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
 |  |
Are you passionate about reconciling the divisions that shape our faith and our world?
Do you want to offer respite and hope to those in need of spiritual renewal?
Are you seeking challenge and purpose in active social, ecumenical and pastoral service?
If you answered yes, then our mission may be yours.
The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are a distinct religious community within the Franciscan Family. Established in 1898, at Graymoor, Garrison, New York, our foundational charism reflects the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi and Father Paul Wattson, our founder: simplicity, poverty and peacemaking.
We are dedicated to bringing a reconciling spirit to the world by working for Christian unity and creating opportunities for Interreligious dialogue through the Ecumenical Movement. The Order began an annual prayer movement in 1908 that developed into the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Week of Prayer is now celebrated by the universal Church.
Today, we direct thriving social, ecumenical and pastoral ministries spanning three continents. The Centro Pro Unione, the Friars' ecumenical research and documentation center, is located in Rome. Our center in New York City - the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute - promotes unity and understanding among peoples of all faiths.
Equally important, we bring witness to the Gospel values by living and working with the poor and marginalized throughout the world. Our social service includes operating a shelter for homeless and addicted men and a center providing inpatient and outpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment for men and women. We also run an HIV/AIDS ministry that provides support groups, pastoral care, and counseling for the afflicted, their families and friends.
Our social services, along with prison and hospital pastoral care ministries and military and university chaplaincies, are found throughout the United States and Canada. Parish locations carry our mission to peoples worldwide.
Hosted throughout the year at various international locations, our "Discernment Retreat Weekends" of hospitality, prayer and fraternity enable an aspirant to come and observe how we live and minister. We greet men from all walks of life: College graduate Kevin was interested in our pastoral care ministries; Lucas, a recent convert to the Catholic Church, sought ordination with an inter-religious dialogue ministry; Mark was still unsure about his vocation interest, although he thinks it's "a beautiful way of life." For some, the connection is almost immediate, for others it takes several visits. Opportunities to experience meaningful, reflective discussions (both individual and group), as well as an actual visit to a shelter or rehab facility to witness first-hand the work we do, are designed to reveal to aspirants and to our friar community whether the aspirant should continue in the application process. We don't expect anyone to make a decision overnight... and we want individuals who truly want to share and grow in our way of life.
If you are a single Catholic man between 18 and 40, in good health, psychologically mature and free of substantial debt, we invite you to discover what "at-one-ment" can mean for you. For more information, or to meet the Atonement Friars at one of our Discernment Retreat Weekends, call 800-338-2620, ext 2126.
Will you be sharing the spirit in your life as a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement?
Contact
Bro. John O'Hara, SA, Vocation Director
Telephone: 800 338 2620 ext 2126 (toll free)
www.atonementfriarsvocations.org
Last updated:2010-06-29
Return to Previous Page
Return to Main Directory Page
Print this Listing
Contact us to add your community to this Directory