Franciscan Brothers of Peace

The Franciscan Brothers of Peace is a Roman Catholic, Franciscan association for men. It was founded in 1982 by Michael Gaworski. It was recognized as a public association of the faithful in 1994 by Archbishop Roach. The mother house of the order is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. As of January 2020 they were 11 brothers.[1] In keeping with their pro-life charism, the Brothers advocate for the unborn, the handicapped, the elderly and the poor.

Founders

Michael Gaworski was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma July 31, 1958, and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. Active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement, he became attracted to Franciscan spirituality after reading the Little Flowers of Saint Francis (Fioretti). He graduated from Saint Thomas Academy in 1977.[2]

The son of Charles and Mary Kaye O'Donnell, Paul Joseph O'Donnell was born December 15, 1959. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1982. In 1986 O'Donnell and Gaworski founded P.E.A.C.E (renamed in 1986 Pro-Life Action Ministries). O'Donnell participated in thousands of prayer vigils and rallies at abortion facilities, and became a spokesperson for the fight against active euthanasia.[3]

Beginnings

After attending the National Charismatic Renewal Conference held at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana, in May 1982, Gawaorski, along with O'Donnell founded the Franciscan Brothers of Peace. In 1986, the Brotherhood was given canonical status as a Private Association of the Faithful.[2]

In 1991 Gaworski contracted a bacterial pneumonia which left him profoundly disabled. The Brothers assumed his 24-hour care. This experience led them to expand their ministry to advocate for brain injured persons.

On January 1, 1994, Archbishop John R. Roach, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis designated the Brotherhood a Public Association of the Faithful. Michael Gaworski died August 28, 2003.[2]

Paul Joseph O'Donnell, longtime guardian (superior) of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace was also a founding board member of Human Life Alliance. O'Donnell died February 20, 2015, at the age of 55.[4]

Apostolate

In November 2009 the Brothers conducted a holiday grocery drive which provided both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to 575 families.[5] In spring 2011 over 800 pounds of canned food was delivered to the Brothers "food shelf" program through the "Food for Fines" program of the University of St. Thomas library.[6]

The Brothers work with the Center For Victims of Torture to provide for the temporary housing, transportation and clothing, nutritional, communication, etc., needs of international victims of torture.

The Queen of Peace Friary is located in St. Paul, Minnesota.[7]

Notes
  1. "Meet the Brothers". Franciscan Brothers of Peace. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  2. "Our History". Franciscan Brothers of Peace. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  3. "RIP Brother Paul O'Donnell". Pro-Life Action Ministries. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  4. Tschanz, Anne (23 February 2015). "Br. Paul Joseph O'Donnell, FBP – RIP". Vocation Blog. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  5. "Franciscan Brothers of Peace Holiday Outreach". Chesterton Academy. 20 November 2009. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
  6. jakimlinger (3 June 2011). "UST Libraries' Food For Fines program helps Franciscan Brothers of Peace". UST Libraries Blog. University of St. Thomas. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  7. "Year of Consecrated Life Religious Open House" (PDF). Vocation office, Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
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