POOR BROTHERS OF ST FRANCIS SERAPHIC. – They were founded by Fr. Giovanni Hover (1816–64) at Aachen in 1861 under the influence of the ven. Francesca Schervier, for the education and care of orphans and the poor.
When the Institute began to develop, it was forced by the Kulturkampf to leave Germany, and found
FRAT. POVERI DI S. FRANCESCO SERAFICO - FRATICELLI
a refuge in Holland where (1876–77) he founded the house of Bleverheide, which is the mother house. Since 1866 it has been present in the United States, since 1900 in Belgium, and since 1931 in Japan. In 1907 it was affiliated with the Franciscan Order. It currently has 17 houses with 302 brothers.
BIBL.: M. Heimbucher, Die Orden und Konaregationen der katholischen Kirche, II, 3rd ed., Paderborn 1934, pp. 18–19.
Cesario van Hulst