Back in St. Francis of Assisi’s day, minstrels of the Lord were central in society, according to Franciscan Father Isaiah Marie Hofmann. “We [Franciscans] were the original troubadours of God,” said ...

ROME – Pope Francis' namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, founded his order of mendicant friars in the 13th century after receiving a calling from God to "rebuild my church." Some 800 years later, St.

The friars began praying every day in a “perpetual novena” before the statue, a spot known today as “St. Anthony’s corner.” They dedicate their prayers to the petitions they receive from the faithful.