The Conventual Franciscans began ministry in Canada in 1920. The initial impetus for friars going to Canada was for ministry to the large number of immigrants then flooding into the country, especially in the Montreal area. They opened and staffed parishes and reception centers, even traveled to lumber camps to meet the needs of the various ethnic groups working in Northern Canada. At one time there were twelve parishes in the Montreal area, the largest concentration in the Conventual world.
As needs changed, these parishes were handed over to the dioceses. The friars are now involved in two parishes in the Toronto area, in Don Mills and in Burlington, with Tobias House, a three hundred unit housing complex with attendant care for sixty adults with disabilities, a residence in downtown Toronto and they are in the preparatory phase with Saint Francis Inn, a residence for women. In addition, they operate The Franciscan Center which provides a variety of services on a number of spiritual and administrative levels.
Our Lady of Angels Custody in Costa Rica was established in 1946. For the past five years, under the leadership of Custos Victor Mora, the friars have focused their efforts on stabilizing the Franciscan presence and identity of St. Francis College in Moravia. Without fear of exaggerating, the College represents the finest in curriculum, faculty and facilities of any school in Central America and would compare favorably with any institution of learning in the United States.
What has been achieved in improving, renovating and renewing the property in Alajuela stretches description. The Friars have developed a pastoral center that will serve their needs and those of the Diocese. Besides the functional design, the appointments and landscaping project a strong sense of Franciscan tradition. With similar creative energy, they have managed to convert what was the old wood factory into a first rate novitiate complex with adjoining facilities for youth retreats.
The Custody of Our Lady of the Angels enters this new millennium with a creative vision.
Friars from the Province opened a mission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1946. They became a Custody in 1969. The friars now have friaries and parishes in Rio de Janeiro, Araruama, Paraiba do sul, and Juiz de Fora. There are houses of formation in Rio de Janeiro, Petropolis and Andrelandia. Presently there are 29 friars in solemn vows, 4 in first vows and 18 candidates in the Custody. They are working toward achieving Province status in the near future.
