Finnian is a Franciscan Friar (not a monk!)

To understand the difference we might benefit from seeking clarity from Br Casey!

Finnian is a brother in the Society of St Francis, a community of Anglican Franciscans. There are Anglican Franciscan brothers in several countries. Finnian is currently based in Plaistow, east London, and is part of the European Province of the Society of Saint Francis. This is his 4th house as a brother. Since joining the Community he has lived in Alnmouth friary, Glasshampton monastery, Leeds and Plastow. The brothers house homeless adults in Leeds and in Plaistow.

You might be surprised to learn where our brothers are located. I always assumed Anglican Religious would only be in the UK. Check out our Youtube channel to learn more about us! https://www.youtube.com/user/AnglicanFranciscan

Finnian lives ‘in community’. ‘Professed’ members of the community live under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, following Christ in the way of St Francis of Assisi. Novice members of the community are in ‘initial formation’ and are exploring if this way of life is for them over the longer term. Finnian entered the ‘noviciate’ in December 2016. He entered the Postulancy in July 2016. To read more about us check out our website: http://www.franciscans.org.uk/

At the end of Morning Prayer we have a reading from the Community’s Principles.

Franciscans seek to follow Christ in the way of St Francis. St Francis’ way is simply to live out the Gospel. It isn’t a ‘strange’ way of life, but the Christian life lived out with a deep connection to Christ Crucified.

Finnian lives in Plaistow, east London, in a community of 5 brothers, a live-in volunteer and around 8 homeless adults

The brothers take turns cooking. Each week we make a cooking rota. We don’t employ any staff, all the cooking and cleaning is done by the brothers and our resident-guests.

We make an effort to eat together once a day, to share life together. This normally happens at 6pm. We try to have fun and to live a ‘family life’.

We collect food donations from a market stall, 2 Gregs, 1 Pret a Manger and 1 Eat; each day. This food is then given out at our front door to between 50-70 people each weekday. The brothers also live off donated food.

The people who come to our front door for food receive a few sandwiches, fruit and doughnuts. The people are from all sorts of backgrounds. We regularly put fruit, veg and clothes in our front yard for people to take. Members of the local community also regularly make small donations of food and clothing to the friary, as they know we help people in the community.

Finnian recently went to a media training day at St Melitus

On Mondays Finnian volunteers at Bow Church foodbank, in Tower Hamlets

On Tuesdays Finnian volunteers with the Friars of the Renewal

The Friars of the Renewal are a Roman Catholic community of Franciscan brothers who live in Canning Town. This is a 15 minute walk away from where I live. I go to their community lunch / soup kitchen. I enjoy going! I help prepare the room, then offer hospitality to the guys who come for cups of tea and coffee and a cooked meal. I then help to clear up, and sometimes say midday prayer with the brothers and volunteers.

I now regularly go to Adoration during the soup kitchen / community lunch. I enjoy going from service, into 30 minutes of Adoration, and then going back into service. I think there’s great wisdom in doing this.

On Wednesdays Finnian volunteers at Bonnie Downs foodbank in East Ham

Finnian enjoys spending time in the chapel , especially in the early morning.

I say the Scriptural Rosary and the Litany of the Sacred Heart before morning prayer. I find this really helps me enter into contemplation and my personal pursuit of the sanctification of daily life.

I find praying through Litanies helps me to engage in intercessory prayer.