Franciscans of Restored Hope

A community of prayer, presence, and prophetic service

About Us

Our Charism

The Franciscans of Restored Hope (FRH) is a religious order rooted in Christ-like love and prayerful service to all—especially those forced to the margins of society. Founded in the spirit of the Franciscan tradition, our charism is shaped by the life and witness of St. Francis of Assisi, who chose radical humility, simplicity, and boundless compassion for the poor and excluded.

Inspired by his example, we serve in the streets, in shelters, and especially at our home base at the Hotel Cecil on Los Angeles' Skid Row. We believe God is already present among the poor and brokenhearted—and our task is not to bring God, but to meet Christ already there. We strive to be signs of restored hope, offering prayerful presence, compassionate accompaniment, and fearless love.

We are a diverse and inclusive community of Friars, Sisters, and contemplatives, bound by our shared mission to reflect the Gospel’s call to care for “the least among us.” Our work is grounded in daily prayer, acts of mercy, and the radical belief that love—freely given and never withheld—can transform lives.

Our Rule of Life

Our Rule is not one of rigidity, but of devotion—a framework that supports a life of faith, integrity, and service. We embrace:

Simplicity – Choosing lives of intentional minimalism to make space for deeper relationships, inner peace, and humble service.
Fidelity – Remaining faithful to our prayer life, to each other, and to the sacred dignity of every human being.
Obedience – A collaborative obedience that listens for God’s will through community, Church, and personal discernment. Our obedience is not blind—it is responsive and mutual.

We walk a path of formation that includes candidacy, novitiate, and profession of vows. We also welcome lay companions—those who feel called to live our charism within their own life contexts, offering prayer, presence, and love in their daily walk.

We do not use militaristic titles or hierarchical structures. Instead, our leadership is entrusted to senior Friars and Sisters, with spiritual support from a Bishop-Protector who accompanies rather than governs.

Discern With Us

We joyfully welcome all people—regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or life circumstances—to consider joining our journey of restored hope. Whether you are drawn to a contemplative life or hands-on ministry, whether you're unsure or already certain, there's space for your story here.

Our way of life is not always easy, but it is beautiful. It is marked by listening, serving, praying, and building a world where the forgotten are remembered and the rejected are embraced. If your heart stirs as you read this, we invite you to reach out.

Let’s discern together what God may be calling you to.
Let’s restore hope—one life, one prayer, one act of love at a time.

Connect with us

Our Patron

Saint Brother Benno

Our patron, St. Br. Benno, was a Franciscan friar renowned for his humility, compassion, and unwavering dedication to those in need. For 18 years, he served as the gatekeeper of the monastery, welcoming all who came to its doors with warmth and kindness. Beyond his role, Br. Benno tirelessly fed the hungry, comforted the afflicted, and brought hope to the downtrodden. His life of selfless service inspires us to embody the Gospel’s call to radical love and inclusivity. Through his example, we are reminded to see Christ in every person and to serve others with joy and generosity.

St. Br. Benno was declared a saint by the Old Catholic Union of the West on May 15, 2025

Learn more about Br. Benno here!

Our History

The Franciscans of Restored Hope trace their origins to July 2001, when the community was founded in New England as the Order of Franciscans of Mercy. From the beginning, the community sought to live the Franciscan ideals of simplicity, prayer, and compassionate service, particularly among those who had too often been overlooked by society and the Church.

As the community matured, its understanding of Franciscan life continued to deepen. In 2020, it was reorganized as the Companions of Francis, reflecting a renewed emphasis on fraternity, accompaniment, and shared life. The following year marked another important milestone when Friar André Maria made his solemn profession of vows, becoming the community's first solemnly professed friar and helping to establish a foundation for its continued growth.

A new chapter began in 2024 when the community relocated from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Los Angeles, California. The move was more than a change of geography. It brought the community into daily ministry alongside people experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, addiction, mental illness, and profound isolation. Through that work, the community came to recognize that its primary calling was not simply to serve those on the margins, but to restore hope through faithful presence, prayer, and hospitality.

In response to that discernment, the community adopted its present name, the Franciscans of Restored Hope. While remaining firmly rooted in the Franciscan tradition, the community embraced a distinctly hospitaller vocation, inspired by the witness of Saint Br. Benno, whose life of humble hospitality continues to shape the community's spirit and ministry.

Today, the Franciscans of Restored Hope are a community of communal and local but dispersed friars united by a common Rule of Life, the vows of Simplicity, Fidelity, and Obedience, and a shared commitment to restoring hope through prayer, hospitality, and presence. Whether serving in neighborhood ministries, accompanying those experiencing hardship, or gathering around the altar for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the Divine Office, the brothers seek to proclaim the Gospel not only in word, but through lives of faithful service and joyful companionship.