Br. Robert Villamor, OFH says, "Born in Manila, Philippines to a staunchly Catholic family, I was educated by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, the Augustinians and the Dominicans. After spending some time as a pre-novice with the Dominicans, I eventually took up Psychology and Medicine. However, God had different plans for me and I wound up eventually doing work for the international humanitarian community in various places worldwide. I fell away from the Church for a couple of years, but through God’s grace, found my way back. 

St. Francis’ great love for God manifested through his love for all of creation, along with the balanced contemplative lifestyle espoused  by St. Benedict in his Rule and the assiduous and methodical Dominican approach towards explaining the Catholic faith, have all defined me as a Catholic Christian. I find the melding of the contemplative life amid living in the world via the Franciscan charism in the OFH to be a good balance between my spiritual and secular life.

• BrRobertVillamor@FranciscanHermits.org
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Br. Albert Monillas, OFH says, "I was raised Roman Catholic in a  Protestant household.  My mother insisted on a Catholic education. At age 10, before the Blessed Mother, I promised my life to Christ her son but always knew my sinfulness and failures. At LaSalle University, I received my Bachelors in Philosophy, my Masters in Theology and at Nova University, a Doctorate in Education. I taught Religion in a Catholic High School for 15 years; was Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Catholic schools; was Superintendent in various public school districts for 20 years and was Assistant State Commissioner of Education for 5 years. I was a member of Daylesford Abbey where I met my wife of 40+ years; we have two children and five grandchildren; we adopted a boy from the Serbian war - he is married with three children. I have made pilgrimages to Knock, Clonmacnoise and Glendalough in Ireland; to Mount Saint Michel; to Israel and to Rome. I stayed at the Buddhist monastery (El Hadji) in Japan. We have traveled to every continent. My love for Francesco and Chiara began with my attachment to the Franciscan Renewal Center; studied Celano and Bonaventure. I have requested admission to the Franciscan Brothers of the Resurrection."

• BrAlbert@FrancsicanHermits.org
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Sr. Victoria Pendleton, OFH says, "A little about myself... I was born and raised a Catholic in England. Graduated from an all girls Catholic school. I did fall away from the church for a while but returned home to the Catholic faith eventually. I moved to the US, living in Alaska for ten years then moving on to sunny Arizona...which is my current residence :) I have a deep love and respect for Saint Francis and Saint Clare. I was initially drawn to St Francis because of his love of animals, but then discovered there was so much more to him than just that...his charity, humility, love, peace, simplicity and compassion."

• ​SrVictoria@FranciscanHermits.org
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My Dear Brother and Sister Associates and Members of the Order of Franciscan Hermits... HAPPY FEAST DAY!  

St. Francis died on October 3, 1226, but we celebrate his Feast Day liturgically each year on October 4th.  I am FILLED with the emotions of JOY and LOVE for him and I'm grateful for the example he gave us, but more especially this year, because YOU are part of our Franciscan Family!!!  

You are such a WONDERFUL group of people who truly care about one another.  We pray each day for our family and friends and share our struggles, sadness and JOY with one another and have come a long way to learn to focus on what UNITES us as Franciscans and Christians, rather than on what Divides us.  Through this, we have not only learned about living the "Greatest Commandment... To LOVE... God... our Neighbors... Ourselves... Our Enemies," but have also witnessed Miracles in the lives of many people we have prayed for each day.  

THANK YOU LORD for Hearing Our Prayers!

We have grown to 1,505 Associates and Members in over 37 Countries worldwide since our official start 15 months ago. That is an AMAZING accomplishment and is certainly a visible sign of the Holy Spirit working within our Community. Let us continue to pray for all of those who need our prayers and let us be living examples of Christ's LOVE to them, just as Francis was.

Each day we should spend some time enriching our Spiritual Lives by studying our Franciscan History, various prayer techniques and learning about the lives of the Saints as Ongoing Formation.  A great place to start is our OFH Formation page at: http://Formation.FranciscanHermits.org. There you will find many inspiring books, videos, and articles.

I encourage you to "Meet Our Members" by visiting our OFH Directory.  (Note: Associates are only listed in our Facebook Group). Perhaps there is someone who lives in your area that you would like to get to know and meet someday. Because we are so spread out, the web seems to be the most practical (and affordable) solution right now, but if you're interesting having a local fraternity, I encourage you to tell your friends in your church or Diocese about the OFH and invite them to Join Us (http://JoinUs.FranciscanHermits.org).  From there you're welcome to meet one another either 1-on-1 or as a group, but this is NOT mandatory. 

Will you join me in the "Peace Prayer" in honor of St. Francis, praying for World Peace?

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life."
AMEN!

Pax et Bonum Dear Brothers and Sisters... PEACE and GOODNESS...

Br. Paul
Founder and Guardian of the Order of Franciscan Hermits.

Br. Daniel Klementy, SFESR, OFH ​says, "My Hermitage is named after Blessed Jacopa de' Settesoli. I am a priest and semi-hermit monk in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augsburg Confession, and I'm originally from Russia. I've lived in the Holy Land (Israel) for 10 years. Our Church has Apostolic Succession from the Old Catholic Church of Portugal (Sua Eminentia Mons. Antonio Jose de Raposa, Archbishop of Mafra). I was born 15.11.1975 in Chisinau MSSR. In 1991, I immigrated to Israel. 1996-1998 - Institute of RCC Retisbonsky. 1995-2006, I worked in a psycho-geriatric hospice in palliative medicine as a nurse. In 2006, I entered the Ecumenical Fraternity of St. Francis (SFES). From 2006 - 2009, I was a translator in the study of the Pontificate of the Holy Father Pius XII + (dix Pacelli) Sister Margaret Marchionne, PhD, as well as writing for the site of the Vicariate of St. Jacob the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. 2006-2013 I served as assistant rector of the Church of Holy Saint Stephen. 2012 - received a private consecration in the monastic life and in 2014 was ordained a deacon and then a priest ELC for the Ecumenical Fraternity of St. Francis in the Holy Land and the Parish of Blessed Yakkoppy de Settesolli. As a monk in the world, I live a life of prayer and I'm open to receiving prayer requests."

• BrDanielKlementy​@FranciscanHermits.org
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Br. Albert Cioffoletti, OFH says, "I am a 'retired registered nurse' with advanced degrees in (MA) Religious Studies from St. Joseph College-Seminary, Yonkers, NY. Born & raised in the Roman Catholic tradition; I am an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church, New Rochelle, NY. I have been a 'son' of Saint France since High School (joined the SFO 1957; later entered the Franciscan Brothers of the Poor (CFP) as a novice 1968). Returned to 'secular life' in 1968 and entered the 'nursing field' to use my talents is 'caring for the sick' ... recently have become interested in the Franciscan Hermit religious concept."

• albertc1940@aol.com
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Br. Matt Pepple, OFH says, "I was recently ordained a Priest through the Celtic Anabaptist Communion. A life of prayer, preaching and penance is what attracts me to St. Francis. I live in Phoenix, Arizona with my wife of 3 years and am 31 years old. "

• BrMattPepple@FranciscanHermits.org
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Br. ​Gerry Fagan, OFH lives in Ireland. He has spent forty years studying and working in Pastoral Care and in Education. He studied with the Dominican Order and holds qualifications from a number of colleges in Ireland, including Maynooth University, D.C.U. and All Hallows College. He spent two years under the supervision of the famous Dr. Jack Gibson F.R.C.S.I., D.T.M.H., in supervised practice as a clinical hypnotherapist. He has an ongoing interest in the convergence of Christian spirituality, counselling, holistic personal development and mindfulness in Pastoral Care. He is married with four grown children. He plays an active part on the Board of NEWMONASTICISMSIRELAND.COM and is an Associate of Glenstal Abbey (Benedictine).

• BrGerryFagan@FranciscanHermits.org
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Br. Paolo Santos, OFH says, "I am Paolo F. Santos and I live in the Philippines I'm 39 years old. My parish Church is St Anthony Mary Zaccria. I love St. Francis because he loved Christ endlessly, his love of the poor, and he left his riches to serve God."

• ​BrPaolo@FranciscanHermits.org
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Sr. Linda Fawkes, OFH says, "I am a Catholic Convert of 14 years and asked Jesus into my life 40 years ago! I have always been inspired by St. Francis. I went to Assisi on a pilgrimage and spend my time supporting others in Christian groups! I am a wife, mother and Grandmother!

Jesus is FIRST IN MY LIFE and I seek to walk in His ways and take His Gospel wherever I go!"

• SrLindaFawkes@FranciscanHermits.org
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