Prayer · Fraternity · Joy · Service

The Franciscans Friars have been at Mission Santa Barbara since its founding in 1786 and it continues to be home to the Friars, as well as a spiritual home for many, and a place for study. The Friar community at Old Mission Santa Barbara consists of both professed Friars who have taken vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty and novices who are Friars in training.

The Friars engage in a variety of ministries. Some work in the fields of education or medicine. Others serve as Parish priests. Some Franciscans participate in social justice movements. Above all, Friars strive to follow the examples of St. Francis and St. Clare to walk with people and minister to their physical and spiritual needs. In keeping with this, the Friars of Old Mission Santa Barbara have established a collaborative ministry with the Daughters of Charity at St. Vincent’s, the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center, to provide a place of welcome and support for the human and spiritual well-being for our sisters and brothers in need.