Religious Life
Men's Congregations in the Diocese of Syracuse
Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FI)
Like the Seraphic Father St. Francis, the Franciscans of the Immaculate strive to be perfectly conformed to the poor, humble, crucified Jesus through a life of charity, supernatural obedience and poverty. They are totally consecrated to the Immaculate Virgin after the recent example offered by St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe.
The Franciscans of the Immaculate were founded by the two Franciscan friars, Fr. Stefano Maria Manelli and Fr. Gabriel Maria Pellettieri. Together they outlined a form of life for the friars, sisters and the laity after the example of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, giving the fullest expression to the Marian dimension of St. Francis’ ideal and Rule. The Franciscans of the Immaculate was established by Pope John Paul II in 1990 as a diocesan institute. The Institute was erected as a pontifical institute of religious life by His Holiness John Paul II in January 1, 1998, Solemnity of the Mother of God.
“For Her let us live, toil, suffer, and long to die.” – St. Maximilian
By virtue of our vow of unlimited and total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is our mission and duty to give Mary to souls, to cause them to discover and know Her, to make all hearts love Her, using every means in order that She may bring souls to Jesus and transform them into other Christs “in the swiftest, surest, most beautiful way.” (St. Maximilian)
To learn more, visit our website.
Brothers of the Christian Schools, De La Salle (FSC)
The Brothers and their Lasallian partners work together and in association to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor, according to the ministry entrusted to them by the church.
Inspired by the life and vision of John Baptist de La Salle, the Patron Saint of Teachers, the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is an international Roman Catholic order of lay Religious Brothers.
Since the Institute’s beginning at one parish school in Rheims, France, in 1680, it’s educational ministry has grown into a worldwide network of students, educators, parents, benefactors, and alumni. In God’s Providence, De La Salle and the first Brothers established the Christian and Gratuitous Schools (now called Lasallian Schools) as a visible instrument of the reign of God, making education accessible to the young, especially those who are impoverished and marginalized.
Comprised of 5 geographic Regions, containing a collective of over 35 Districts, there are close to 1,000 schools and educational centers at every level, as well as children and family services programs in 80 countries educating nearly 1 million students. The Brothers of the Christian Schools is the largest religious order of Brothers in the church dedicated solely to the mission of Christian education.
To learn more, visit our website or check out our discernment resources.
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Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.)
We are Friars. By our religious profession, we dedicate ourselves totally to God, Who is loved above all else. Indeed, the life of union with God through prayer is the foundation of our fraternity; it composes the rhythm of our life. Francis of Assisi experienced God’s call in his life as a summons to conform himself ever more closely to Jesus Christ. Conventual Franciscans, men who strive to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the example and Rule of Life of Saint Francis, continue to live out that summons. Simply. Authentically.
We are Friars Minor. Minoritas is our characteristic way of following the poor and humble Christ. We foster fraternities whose friars live without anything of our own: shunning status, being subject to all, and serving one another. We strive toward both internal and external self-emptying, such that our fraternal simplicity will be a sign to those with and to whom we minister. We practice good stewardship, while rejecting the temptations of consumerism and materialism. We divest of anything that replaces God as the center and source of our meaning.
We are Friars Minor Conventual. This dimension of our identity, in the context of the larger Franciscan tradition, adds a distinct flavor to how we live in fraternity and undertake the work of rebuilding the Church. We seek to bring a sense of brotherhood to all we meet, by being truly inclusive and collaborative in all of our interactions.
We, as lesser brothers, walk with the People of God, with a special mandate to accompany the
poor and most vulnerable of our society. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are involved in a
community-based approach to the works of evangelization and service to humanity.
To learn more, visit our website and check out this great resource!
You can also visit our local provincial website and our shrine.
Society of Jesus (SJ)
We are the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers founded in 1540 by the soldier-turned-priest, Saint Ignatius Loyola.
In the vision of our founder, we seek to “Find God in All Things” and commit ourselves to the “Greater Glory of God.” The Jesuit mission has long been dedicated to:
- Spreading the Gospel
- Reaching out to those on the margins
- Educating men and women for others
With close to 17,000 priests and brothers worldwide, we are the largest male religious order in the Catholic Church. We are pastors, teachers, and chaplains. We are also doctors, lawyers, and astronomers, among many other roles in the Church and society. In our varied ministries, we care for the whole person—body, mind, and soul.
Jesuits draw on the rich tradition of Ignatian Spirituality and reflection. We offer resources to all who want to discern God’s presence in their lives. Through this lens, we work tirelessly to advance social justice and peace. Wherever there are those who are less fortunate and seemingly forgotten in our cities, rural areas and throughout the world, you will find the Jesuits advocating on their behalf.
To learn more, visit our website.