if you can't see Jesus in the eucharist, you can't see him in the poor

ABOUT US

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Our History

In 2005, Father (now Bishop) Bob Lombardo came to Chicago in response to the invitation of the late Francis Cardinal George, then the Archbishop of Chicago. The Cardinal wanted Fr. Bob to start a mission to serve the poor, evangelize and maintain a Catholic presence in one of Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods.

Our Community

The Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago are a Catholic religious community living and serving among the poor in Chicago’s West Humboldt Park neighborhood with branches for men and women. Our life centers upon our relationship with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Our Charism

Every religious community has a unique charism. A charism is a gift from the Holy Spirit, which gives the community its identity. You can’t pinpoint a charism in one word: the unique way of life of each community is their charism. It includes their life of prayer, their spirituality, their communal life and their apostolic works.

“Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally.”
— St. Francis, Letter to the Order

OUR LIFE

Prayer Life

Our life of prayer is at the heart of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ, and it is essential for us as Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. Prayer fosters our life of ongoing conversion to Jesus Christ, following the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi. As Franciscans of the Eucharist, the center of our life of prayer and our service to the Church is the Eucharist.

Fraternal Life

Our fraternal life (communal life) is so essential because it is where we learn how to serve with unconditional charity, bearing with one another patiently. When we strive to grow as brothers and sisters in Christ in community, it bears great fruit among us, and also in all we do to serve those outside our community through our apostolates.

Eucharistic adoration

Over 800 years later, we still follow this example which St. Francis gave us, and strive to keep Christ in the Eucharist as the source of our strength and the center of our lives. Daily Mass is essential.

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40

Apostolate

APOSTOLATE

Service to the poor

The very first friary (religious house) that St. Francis and the early Franciscans was adjacent to the leper community: they literally lived among the poor they served. We also choose to live among the poor we are called to serve.

Evangelization

Evangelization means sharing the Good News of what Jesus has done for us, so that we can help others get to Heaven. It is as simple as that. St. John Paul II often said that we don’t need new teachings, we need reminders. Today more than ever, we need to remind God’s people of His love and mercy and the treasures that await them in the Catholic Church.

Teaching

Our community’s focus in teaching is to help our schools continue to build up a strong Catholic identity, grow in appreciation for the many treasures of the Catholic faith, and to try to help students, parents, and school staff alike to have a renewed encounter with Jesus and all develop a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

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"Come and see.” John 1:39

Vocations

VOCATIONS

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St. Francis of Assisi

For Franciscans, the person of St. Francis of Assisi is very important. We look to the life of St. Francis as our model for how to follow Jesus faithfully. This is one of the reasons why a test of a Franciscan vocation is if a person is attracted to St. Francis and his witness.

Discernment

Each person is called by God to make a gift of him or herself for God’s glory and the salvation of souls. Open your heart to what God desires for you, and strive to unite your will to the will of our Heavenly Father. Remember, your vocation is your path to holiness.

Formation Process

Formation is a lifelong process of helping the religious conform his or her life to that of Jesus Christ. The first years of religions life are known as initial formation, and culminate, God-willing, in profession of Final Vows.

Have you heard the Lord speak to you in the silence of your own heart? When you visit the pages of our community website are you attracted to what you see and read? To our way of life and service to our brothers and sisters in need?

Men's Vocation Contact

Women's Vocation Contact

St. Hyacinth Convent renovation project

The arduous journey of the St. Hyacinth convent project has recently made some very exciting progress! After many months of paperwork, inspections, and meetings, we finally signed the contract for the official purchase of the building. In order for work to begin, we now just need the purchase to be finalized and to obtain a City of Chicago permit for the construction. One step at a time! The total estimated cost of this project is $2.7 million. Please email Sr. Stephanie at olamission@gmail.com if you are interested in getting involved or helping with the project.

St. Hyacinth Project Updates

if you can't see Jesus in the eucharist, you can't see him in the poor

ABOUT US

“Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally.”
— St. Francis, Letter to the Order

OUR LIFE

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40

APOSTOLATE

"Come and see.” John 1:39

VOCATIONS

St. Hyacinth Convent renovation project

Come see what’s happening in our community.

Stay in touch

Prayer for Vocations

if you can't see Jesus in the eucharist, you can't see him in the poor

ABOUT US

“Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally.” — St. Francis, Letter to the Order

OUR LIFE

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

APOSTOLATE

"Come and see.” John 1:39

VOCATIONS

St. Hyacinth Convent renovation project

Come see what’s happening in our community.

Stay in touch

Prayer for Vocations

“Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally.”
— St. Francis, Letter to the Order

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40