Little Brothers of St Francis
Encyclopedia
The Little Brothers of St Francis were founded in the Archdiocese of Boston in 1970. They follow an adaptation of the Rule for Hermits written by Saint Francis of Assisi
and live the contemplative life among the poorest of the poor. The congregation was founded by Brother James Curran.
Brother James, who was then employed by the Opera Company of Boston
, felt called to follow a life of prayer and service among the poor. In this goal, he was guided by the Franciscan friars who provided him counseling and spiritual direction
. The first home of the community was Brother James' apartment on Beacon Hill in downtown Boston. He eventually gained the blessing of the archbishop
, Cardinal
Humberto Medeiros, who was himself a member of the Secular Franciscan Order
. The cardinal allowed him to take religious vows
and to wear a Franciscan habit
, even though he was alone at that point. He soon adopted a habit made of denim
, which quickly became the distinguishing mark of the community, earning them the nickname
of the "Bluejean Franciscans."
His way of life was to keep working at his secular job, while spending several hours of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
. He then would go out among the homeless who would congregate in downtown Boston, especially around the Boston Common
, and distribute food and coffee, as well as other necessities of life.
As other men came to join him, the community eventually relocated to a house in the Mission Hill section of Boston, which is where it is still based.
Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
and live the contemplative life among the poorest of the poor. The congregation was founded by Brother James Curran.
Brother James, who was then employed by the Opera Company of Boston
Opera Company of Boston
The Opera Company of Boston was an American opera company located in Boston, Massachusetts that was active during the late 1950s through the early 1990s. The company was founded by American conductor Sarah Caldwell in 1958 under the name Boston Opera Group. At one time, the touring arm of the...
, felt called to follow a life of prayer and service among the poor. In this goal, he was guided by the Franciscan friars who provided him counseling and spiritual direction
Spiritual direction
Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. The person seeking direction shares stories of his or her encounters of the divine, or how he or she is experiencing...
. The first home of the community was Brother James' apartment on Beacon Hill in downtown Boston. He eventually gained the blessing of the archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
, Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Humberto Medeiros, who was himself a member of the Secular Franciscan Order
Secular Franciscan Order
thumb|rigth|Lapel pin of Secular Franciscan Order.The Secular Franciscan Order is a community of Catholic men and women, of any of the Rites in communion with Rome , in the world who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Secular Franciscans are...
. The cardinal allowed him to take religious vows
Religious vows
Religious vows are the public vows made by the members of religious communities pertaining to their conduct, practices and views.In the Buddhist tradition, in particular within the Mahayana and Vajrayana tradition, many different kinds of religious vows are taken by the lay community as well as by...
and to wear a Franciscan habit
Religious habit
A religious habit is a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a religious order. Traditionally some plain garb recognisable as a religious habit has also been worn by those leading the religious eremitic and anachoritic life, although in their case without conformity to a particular uniform...
, even though he was alone at that point. He soon adopted a habit made of denim
Denim
Denim is a rugged cotton twill textile, in which the weft passes under two or more warp threads. This produces the familiar diagonal ribbing identifiable on the reverse of the fabric, which distinguishes denim from cotton duck. Denim has been in American usage since the late 18th century...
, which quickly became the distinguishing mark of the community, earning them the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
of the "Bluejean Franciscans."
His way of life was to keep working at his secular job, while spending several hours of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Blessed Sacrament
The Blessed Sacrament, or the Body and Blood of Christ, is a devotional name used in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Old Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, to refer to the Host after it has been consecrated in the sacrament of the Eucharist...
. He then would go out among the homeless who would congregate in downtown Boston, especially around the Boston Common
Boston Common
Boston Common is a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Boston Commons". Dating from 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States. The Boston Common consists of of land bounded by Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street,...
, and distribute food and coffee, as well as other necessities of life.
As other men came to join him, the community eventually relocated to a house in the Mission Hill section of Boston, which is where it is still based.