History

In January 1995, six Friars left the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in New York to found a new Community. They were received by Bishop Sean O’Malley of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts. Their desire was to live a strict observance of the Rule of St. Francis and hence took the name “Franciscans of Primitive Observance”. After Sean O’Malley became the Archbishop of Boston, the Community transferred to the Archdiocese in 2005. The first friary in the Archdiocese of Boston was located in the city of Lawrence, MA. 

Over the years we have had periods of growth and decline. We have experienced tremendous blessings and joys but difficulties and challenges as well. In all things, we continued to surrender ourselves into the hands of Our Blessed Mother as her devoted sons. At times, we had established friaries in Maryland, Vermont and Nicaragua. Currently, we are blessed to work in Lawrence, MA. 

After a lengthy discernment, in 2021 Cardinal O’Malley asked us to take responsibility for Holy Rosary Shrine in Lawrence. This beautiful Shrine is now a center of evangelization to build up God’s Kingdom. Prompted by this development in our identity and mission, we have changed our name to The Franciscans of the Poor Christ. We continue to offer retreats and parish missions, mostly in the Northeast. Like the early Capuchins, and similar reform movements, our challenge is to maintain fidelity to Lady Poverty while serving the present needs of the Church in the actual circumstances of our time. 

At Holy Rosary Shrine, we especially strive to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in a reverent and beautiful manner. We offer extended times for the Sacrament of Confession as well as adult faith formation in English and Spanish. A variety of ethnic groups and communities call the Shrine home.  The Friars have joined with lay members of the Shrine Community to establish St. Joseph’s Home for pregnant mothers and newborn infants. (stjosephshome.life)