Franciscan Mission Service

About Franciscan Mission Service

Inspired by the examples of St. Francis and St. Clare, Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) shares and receives God's unconditional love across borders through a way of life that centers marginalized voices and focuses on living out the Gospel values of intercultural encounter, radical inclusion, authentic humility and transformative justice.

Our Approach to Mission

With a Franciscan posture of humility, our missioners enter as guests in another community as they seek to know and learn from those they serve alongside. Missioners cultivate authentic cross-cultural relationships based on mutuality and compassionate presence. Our missioners share God’s love through supporting locally-run ministries as they live in intentional Christian communities rooted in simplicity, reflection, and solidarity.

Our Core Statements

• We have faith in the transforming power of Christ's love in the world.
• We believe the world is a grace place.
• We believe in the absolute and fundamental dignity of each individual and creation.
• We embrace Catholic Social Teaching as central to our faith and service.
• We have confidence in the wisdom of poor communities.
• We engage in a mission of presence, accompaniment, and advocacy.
• We believe strong theological and cross-cultural training leads to respectful and effective mission service.

International Missioner Program

International missioners, ages 22-65+, offer their presence and skills as they accompany: individuals with disabilities, children in group homes, inmates, the elderly, students struggling with academics, migrants and refugees, individuals recovering from substance abuse, young mothers, and many more communities in need. Missioners live together as they strive to live simply in solidarity with their local community for 2 years of service; renewable up to 6 years.

A 3-month orientation and formation program at FMS headquarters in Washington, DC includes mission theology, scripture, Catholic social teaching, cross-cultural skills, power and privilege dynamics in ministry, the Franciscan tradition and more. As-needed language training follows in host country.

Mission is a way of life that our missioners continue to live out after their time abroad. Our two-week Re-Entry Retreat helps returned missioners process their experiences and integrate mission lessons into their daily lives where they, along with over 250 lifelong missioners, focus on transforming home communities with peace, justice, reconciliation and care of creation.

DC Service Corps Program 

The DC Service Corps (DCSC) Program offers young professionals (21-35 years old) opportunities to learn about systemic injustices, deepen their commitment to service, grow in faith, and live out the Franciscan values on a daily basis. DCSC members serve for a year in various ministry placements, cultivating relationships of inclusion and justice as they gain hands-on experience at local DC nonprofits.                        

Ministry placements may include more direct ministry such as accompanying individuals experiencing homelessness, providing resources to asylum seekers, facilitating peace-building skills to youth or accompanying high schools at a Catholic school. Other ministry placements include learning behind-the-scenes nonprofit management skills through roles focused on communications, program support, event planning, fundraising, donor cultivation, etc.

This transformative experience is enriched by an intentional Christian community, in which DCSC members focus on simple living, prayer, reflection, and fellowship in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. The DCSC Program also provides servant-leadership training, professional development, mentoring, faith formation, and educational seminars rooted in peace, justice and integrity for all creation.