Over a century ago, Fr. Paul Wattson, the founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, was searching for a name for a new religious society. Opening the Scriptures at random, his eyes fell upon the eleventh verse of the fifth chapter of St. Paul's epistle to the Romans: "... we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." The last word of the verse stood out with a vividness that was to him overwhelming at-one-ment. And so, the Society had found its name.

Headquarterd at Graymoor in Garrison, New York, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are a Roman Catholic religious community with social, ecumenical and pastoral ministries in the United States, Canada, England, Italy, and Japan.

Since its inception in 1898, reconciliation and healing through atonement — the unity of men and women with God and one another — has been the mission of the Friars' work and ministries to people of every race, religion, and walk of life.

The social ministries of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement serve the poor, the needy, and the homeless, people living with HIV/AIDS, those in hospitals and prisons, and people seeking recovery from alcoholism and chemical dependency. The ecumenical work makes them leaders of the international movement to heal the divisions within Christianity, and among all faiths. Finally, their pastoral ministry is the vigorous outreach that brings atonement to diverse peoples worldwide.

The good works of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are supported by charitable contributions.

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