What is Franciscan Hermitage Foundation
The Franciscan Hermitage Foundation is coordinated and run by lay people committed to the life and ministry of the Franciscans. The Foundation was begun with the express intention of assisting the life and ministry of the Friars of Holy Crucifixion Friary. All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to the needs of the Franciscans—such as property insurance, utility bills, gas for travel, building maintenance, sacristy supplies, and medical needs.
As authentic Franciscans, the Friars of Holy Crucifixion Friary seek to live a life of poverty, relying on Divine Providence. While the Friars beg for their daily sustenance and needs, we as a Foundation care for those needs that cannot be provided through traditional means of begging for daily necessities.
We ask you to consider becoming a benefactor of the Franciscan Hermitage Foundation and help us provide the support that allows the Friars the freedom to live their Franciscan vocation with authenticity and joy.
In return for your financial generosity, the Friars will pray daily for you, and you will be included in a weekly Mass offered for their benefactors.
About The Friars
The Franciscan Hermits live an authentic and faithful observance of the charism of Saint Francis. They live the Rule of Saint Francis sine glossa (“without gloss”), according to the earliest Capuchin-Franciscan Reform.
As Franciscan Hermits, the Friars live a life of prayer and penance, observing:
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The Divine Office prayed seven times a day
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The Daily Rosary
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Two daily Eucharistic Holy Hours
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Other traditional Franciscan devotions
The Friars profess the three evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity, obedience) and a Marian Vow of Total Consecration to the Immaculate. This Marian Vow is the crowning jewel of their vocation, and the Friars do all they can to promote devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Even though the Friars live a life of prayer and recollection, like Saint Francis, they are also preachers of the Holy Gospel. They preach:
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Parish Missions
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Youth and Young Adult Retreats
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Men’s and Women’s Conferences
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Other preaching engagements as invited
In strict observance of the Rule of Saint Francis, the Friars do not own, use, or keep money in any form. For this reason, the Franciscan Hermitage Foundation was established. The Foundation’s mission is to support the life and apostolate of the Friars, allowing them the freedom to live their Franciscan vocation and maintain their vow of poverty.
The Franciscan Hermits are loyal sons of the Church, and they remain faithful to all the Magisterial Teachings and Sacred Traditions that define and sustain the Catholic Church. There is no room in their life for dissent from authentic Church teaching.
Book A Parish Mission
A Parish Mission is a parish retreat program that became popular for Catholic Parishes during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars. Saint John Neumann, when he was the Bishop of Philadelphia, popularized parish missions throughout his archdiocese and throughout the United States.
A Parish Mission is designed to meet the needs of each individual parish. Topics for conferences, social events, and the liturgical setting for the mission is determined by the Parish Priest and the Missionary Preacher.
The Parish Mission can be as simple as three evening conferences or as involved as the missionary preacher speaking to the Catholic School children, youth group, parish groups, and offering confession times during the days of the mission.
Fr. David Mary presents his conferences with a fresh and unique way of making the deep concepts of theology easily understandable and relatable to everyday life. He calls his preaching the “Incarnational Approach,” coming down to the level of the congregation and lifting them up, just as Jesus did for us.
Become A Spiritual Friend
Another way to help the Franciscans is by becoming a “Spiritual Friend.”
A Spiritual Friend of the Friars is a person who donates particular items on either a regular basis or by a larger donation of an item only needed at certain times.
A Spiritual Friend who helps on a regular basis would make a donation of certain item(s) needed for regular use. Such items would be:
Liturgical Needs:
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Candles for Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration
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Hosts and Altar Wine for Holy Mass
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Incense and Charcoal for Adoration and Holy Mass
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Sanctuary Lamp Candles
Household Needs:
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Cleaning supplies
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Paper towels
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Toilet paper
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Soap
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Shampoo
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Deodorant
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Toothpaste
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Toothbrushes
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And similar items
Food:
Since the Friars beg for their food, any food is welcomed.
There are staples such as:
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Salt and pepper
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Sugar
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Olive oil
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Coffee
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Tea
These are always needed.
Keep in mind that what the Friars cannot use for themselves, they will distribute to the poor of their neighborhood.
BEFORE MAKING A DONATION OF ITEMS ON A REGULAR BASIS, PLEASE CONTACT FR. DAVID MARY TO MAKE SURE THAT EFFORTS ARE NOT BEING DOUBLED.
Items or food can be either mailed to or delivered to:
Holy Crucifixion Friary
696 Hale Brook Road
Newport, Tennessee 37821
A larger donation needed on a regular basis that would be of greater cost would be items such as:
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Wool for Habits
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Paying the Monthly Utilities Bill
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Paying the monthly property insurance
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Car insurance
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Paying the Friars' phone bill
Please contact the Franciscan Hermitage Foundation if you would like to be a Spiritual Friend making the larger, regular donations.
Thank you for your support!
Please consider donating, or becoming a monthly benefactor by offering monthly donations. May God Bless you and Mary Keep you!
Donate By Mail
Checks can be made payable to:
Franciscan Hermitage Foundation
3906 Island View rd
Sevierville, TN 37876