Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana
Mother Province: The Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy)
In 1977, two different Jurisdictions founded their own missionary presence in Ghana: the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua and the Province of St. Anthony of Padua in the USA. In 1994, these two missions were unified into one Provincial Custody under the Italian Province of St. Anthony. From the beginning, this mission spearheaded intensive social and educational promotion. The friars have opened several houses for doing pastoral ministry and printing. They also take care of the formation and spiritual guidance of religious and lay people.
Currently, the Custody of Ghana has fifty solemnly professed friars, thirty-two simply professed friars and six friaries.
Accra: St. Bonaventure Friary, St. Francis of Assisi Parish and St. Clare of Assisi Parish
The friary opened in 1990. Today it functions as a common house of formation for the African Federation of Conventual Franciscans (AFCOF) for post-novices enrolled in philosophy studies. The post-novices (coming from Ghana, Burkina Faso and Kenya) attend the nearby diocesan seminary. Together, they serve in the parish entrusted to the care of the friars of the community. From the very start of the friars’ presence in Accra, they have carried out charitable activities for the poor and needy and performed pastoral ministry in the suburbs of the capitol.
Awoshie-Anyaa (Accra): Our Lady of the Angels – Portiuncola Friary
Today the Christian community of St. Francis in Awoshie-Anyaa has become a (quasi) parish and the friars carry out pastoral ministry there. The friary currently serves as the curia of the Custody.
Elmina: St. Anthony of Padua Friary and St. Francis of Assisi Parish
The friary opened in 2015. The friars carry out pastoral ministry in the parish.
Saltpond: St. Francis of Assisi Friary
Saltpond is located in a beautiful valley close to the ocean. It is known for its verdant vegetation and silence. Saltpond provides hospitality to priests, religious, catechists and laypersons who seek spirituality through prayer and silence. The friary opened in 1978. The friars welcome and guide various groups on their spiritual journey. This friary functions as a novitiate for the Custody of Ghana and the Delegation in Burkina Faso (AFCOF).
Takoradi: St. Francis of Assisi Friary and Christ the King Parish
The friars arrived in 1979, and immediately began pastoral and charitable service. Today they serve in the parish. Supported by the dynamic Messenger of St. Anthony of Padua publication, they founded their own printing house and began publishing the Catholic Messenger magazine. Today it is the most widely circulated Catholic magazine in Ghana. The friars also coordinate social efforts for the fight against leprosy and their service is nationally recognized.
Sunyani: St. Anthony of Padua Friary and Sacred Heart Parish
The friary opened in 1990. The friars carry out pastoral ministry at the parish. This friary functions as a postulancy house. There are currently six friars providing service to the community.
Franciscan Missionary Center
General Secretariat for Mission Animation