Conventual Franciscan
Friars is international religious order in the Catholic Church. In Kenya, We are only a
small part of a large community all over the world, known as the Order of Friars Minor
Conventual, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in Italy in XIII century. Such a humble
beginning in Assisi and Saint Francis has continued to attract faithful disciples from all
corners of the world throughout the years. In Africa alone, we are present in six
countries, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Burkina Faso.
Our presence in Kenya began in Ruiri, Meru
Diocese, in 1984. Our Mission in Kenya belongs to the Province of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe in Gdansk,
Poland. God has been good to us by answering our prayers for vocations and through His
love we have grown steadily in number. In the year 2004, we became a separate
jurisdiction, called a Provincial Custody (or Vice Province) of St. Francis of Assisi in
Kenya.
Currently we have five friaries in Nairobi, Limuru, Ruiri and Subukia. In
Kenya we serve the people through different ways of apostolate ranging from, working in
the parishes, formation houses, spiritual centre, printing press, dispensaries, children's
homes, and publishing the magazine of Messenger of Mary Immaculate.
We live a fraternal life irrespective of our colour, race or countries of origin, sharing
the love of God as true witnesses of the Gospel life. Besides our apostolate, we witness
the risen Lord by our way of life. Just like the poor and humble Christ, and sons of Saint
Francis, our aim is to be close to the people of God radiating God’s love to all those
whom we serve.
We fulfill the command of Christ, who by word and deed taught his disciples to pray
always. By loving God, the highest good, we friars are earnestly moved by the example and
words of our Seraphic Father to direct our hearts to the Father, who “created and formed
us in the flesh according to the image of His beloved Son and in the spirit according to
His likeness”, and to pray to the same Father. In this respect, our life is centered on
prayer. We begin each day by participating communally in the Holy Eucharist where we draw
the strength to live each day meditating on the Holy mysteries of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, and the love of our Mother, Mary Immaculate.
Saint Francis of Assisi is the Patron of our Custody. By his holy life, he has inspired us
to live authentic life following Christ in his footsteps. That is, to observe the holy
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, without anything of our own and in
chastity. This is what he wrote in the rule of life. This is our life.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His
countenance upon you, and give you peace.
(Num 6, 24-26)
Conventual Franciscan
Friars is international religious order in the Catholic Church. In Kenya, We are only a
small part of a large community all over the world, known as the Order of Friars Minor
Conventual, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in Italy in XIII century. Such a humble
beginning in Assisi and Saint Francis has continued to attract faithful disciples from all
corners of the world throughout the years. In Africa alone, we are present in six
countries, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Burkina Faso. 
