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In our Catholic tradition we live out those words whenever we fulfill the corporeal works of mercy. And this is especially true in our compassionate service to little children and adults suffering with leprosy.
He had been forced out of his little village when it was discovered that he had leprosy.
Many people think leprosy is a disease of the past. If only that was accurate! Although there is now a cure for leprosy, early diagnosis and treatment are not available for hundreeds of thousands of the poor serve by the Franciscan Friars in mission countries.
Leprosy (also know as Hanson's disease is caused by bateria. Millions of people throughout the world currently need treatment or are receiving medical care for this terriblu debilitating disease. Another two to four million people suffer cruel disabilities from leprosy and need ongoing assistance. Even with modern medical advances, more than 500,000 new cases of leprosy are detected in impovrished countries every year, afflicing people like Pedro.
Pedro lived in the Hanson's Disease Control Center (for lepers) in Guinea Bissau, West Africa. He had been forced out of his little village when it was discovered that he had leprosy. Pedro's young daughter refused to abandon her father. She left their village with him. Despairing, pedro wanted to commit suicide, but was saved from this further tragedy by the love and devotiion of his little girl.
Walking for days in search of the assistance he so desparately needed, they finally found their way to the Franciscan Mission in Bissau where Pedro received treatment. He and his daughther were warmly welcomed there. She assisted everyday in his medical care. The unconditional love she had for her father was evident in every thing she did.
Despite the best efforts of the Franciscan Mision doctors, Pedro's condition deteriorated so rapidly that one of his legs had to be amputated. Then he lost all hs fingers and the rest of his toes. In order to get around, he crawled on his knees and elbows.
The friars offered Pedro a wheelchair. Although he was most grateful, he didn't keepo the wheelchair very long. Pedro said there were too many people wioth leprosy who couldn't even rawl. He was so thankful he could at least crawl that he gave his wheelchair to someone in greater need.
 Child with leprosy
and Fr. Sereno.
Pedro has sine died from leprosy, but journey from hopeless despair ti oersinal sacrifice and heartfelt gratitude continues to inspire all of us in our
How do oyu think you would deal with such a terrible illness if a loveed one or dear friend became allicted? Just like St. Francis of Assisi, serving the poorest and most helpless is a top priority for the Franciscans today. When St. Francis personally fed hungry lepers and washed and bandaged their sores, they experienced the love of Jesus. In the face of St. Francis, these most abandoned and neglected of human souls came to know the face of Christ.
This is also true today. Through your compassion and generosity to lepers and to all those in need, whether they are close to your home of far away, YOU are the image of Jesus Christ to them.
Dear friend, will you please be the face of Jesus to our suffering sisters and brothers? Your gift of $20, $15, $35 or your most generous offering, can make the difference today between total despair and a faith-filled future of hope for our destitute sisters and brothers in mission lands.
 Women with leprosy
and Fr. Sereno
Grateful for your goodness, I have enclosed a Little Francis "Bee" Charitable poem as my gift to you. Everytime you read it, I hope you are reminded that Jesus works through each one of us and the little honey bees too! Everytime you oeffer assistace to someone less fortunate, YOU are helping others to experience the loving face of Jesus Christ.
God bless You for sincerely putting your Catholic faith into action by serving Christ in the least among us. May your heart be filled with peace and jo through your goodness to the poor.
Peace and Blessings,
Father Sereno
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Our Missionaries
The Franciscans have 5,400 missionaries and 800 missions throughout the world. They serve the poor in every continent, following in the steps of St. Francis, with a special ministry to people with leprosy, many of whom are children.
In Need of Prayer
Queen Elizabeth II has awarded three people from Aitape, Papua New Guinea high honors. Bishop Austen Crapp, OFM, with Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.), Archbishop Sir Brian Barnes, OFM with Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (G.C.M.G.) and Mr. Robert Parer with Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) All served with distinction in the 1998 tsunami which destroyed five villages and killed 2200 people.
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