Friar Andrzej Brzezinski (center of photo)

One could assume that the early Franciscan friars stayed confined to the Italian peninsula. In the 13th century, transportation along even a short distance was an activity fraught with danger. One could get robbed or murdered. Even relatively minor trips could take many days. So travelling from Assisi to far flung places like London (which is about one thousand miles away) might have seemed almost impossible. But, nevertheless, the friars from Francis’ time did leave Italy; they spread throughout Europe on missions of conversion.

 Uzbekistan in Central Asia

Today in the 21st century, Franciscan friars are still on the move, providing pastoral care and helping the needy all around the world. One such friar is Andrzej Brzezinski. A native of Poland, Friar Andrzej spent the last five years of his life working in the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan. Currently, however, he is in the midst of a six month stay at St. Peter Church in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey where he is learning English.

Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

A friar's life is an adventure indeed. From Uzbekistan to Point Pleasant Beach and all points in between, friars invigorated by the spirit of St. Francis do their best to create a better world for us all.