AboutFrancisCorps

Real.  Gospel.  Service.

Mission

The mission of FrancisCorps is Gospel Service. As brothers and sisters to those “in need”, FrancisCorps volunteers share their gifts and talents in a year-long, faith based community in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi.

Vision

FrancisCorps volunteers will apply their experience of service, community and the values of Francis and Clare of Assisi to their careers, relationships and community, and so help build a more just, peaceful and fraternal society.

Values

FrancisCorps is an experience of Gospel life in the Roman Catholic tradition.  Saint Francis of Assisi was so profoundly affected by God’s desire to become one of us, as a little child in Bethlehem and so overwhelmed by Christ’s love for us on the Cross that he realized that he was called to be a brother to all people, and even to Brother Sun, Sister Moon and all creation.  Together with his friend Clare of Assisi and other followers he started the Franciscan movement which forever changed the tiny town of Assisi in Italy. We hold both Francis and Clare of Assisi as models of a community life that is inclusive, simple, peaceful, down-to-earth, respectful, collegial, joyful, fun and responsive to the signs of the times. FrancisCorps is committed to respect all people regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socio-economic status, ability or political beliefs and the protection of minors and vulnerable adults.

History

How do we share the dream, the passion, and the vision of St. Francis of Assisi with the next generation of Catholics? How do we empower lay young-adults to make a difference?  These were the questions the Franciscan Friars prayerfully considered as they gathered in Chapter in 1997. The answer came in the creation of a young adult volunteer service experience based on the spirituality and values of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. On July 1, 1998, FrancisCorps was founded as an official ministry of the Conventual Franciscan Friars. FrancisCorps accepted its first members the following year on August 14, 1999, welcoming the first five volunteers to our home here in Syracuse, NY. Since 1999, FrancisCorps has provided an experience of Gospel life to over 201 volunteers from 33 different states, Canada, and Costa Rica who spent a year of service caring for those in need at 33 different service sites in two countries.  Today, FrancisCorps continues to invite young men and women to this experience of Gospel life in vibrant and diverse but disadvantaged communities in Syracuse, NY and through this experience, pursue the goal of inspiring volunteers to transform a year of service into a lifetime commitment to “preach the Gospel at all time, and if necessary, use words!”