The Franciscans of the Immaculate were founded by two Franciscan friars, Fr. Stefano Maria Manelli and Fr. Gabriel Maria Pellettieri. Together they outlined a form of life for the friars, sisters and the laity after the example of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, giving the fullest expression to the Marian dimension of St. Francis' ideal and Rule.
The Franciscans of the Immaculate was established by Pope John Paul II in 1990 as a diocesan institute. The Institute was erected as a pontifical institute of religious life by His Holiness John Paul II on January 1, 1998, Solemnity of the Mother of God.
A community life of prayer, of poverty, of penance, in the spirit of total consecration to the Immaculate Virgin, so that she may transform us, like St. Francis, into Jesus Crucified, and make us her instruments for the conquest of all souls for God. This is the form of life of a Marian Friary, in which religious observance on the model of primitive Franciscan communities and the example of St. Maximilian is the norm.
By virtue of our vow of unlimited consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is our mission and duty to give Mary to souls, to cause them to discover and know her, to make all hearts love her, using every means in order that she may bring souls to Jesus and transform them into other Christs "in the swiftest, surest, most beautiful way." (St. Maximilian)
On the web: www.marymediatrix.com.