Journeys of Hope | a Pilgrim Center of Hope podcast
Aug 20, 2026 · 57 min · 14 segments
Ever wondered what life is like for a Franciscan Friar? Mary Jane Fox welcomes Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM, who shares his unique journey, the significance of the Franciscan habit, and his experiences in the…
Alex KratzGuest
Mary Jane FoxHostJourneys of Hope.
Life is a journey, and this is your spiritual passport.
Where will the journey take us today? Let's walk together as we learn to become people of faith and hope.

I serve as co-director for Pilgrim Center of Hope, where we are recording at St. Joseph's Studio.

Pilgrim Center of Hope, producer of this weekly radio and podcast program, is a nonprofit ministry founded in 1993 with the mission of guiding people to walk in hope with Christ and the Church.

When we see Franciscan friars at a church or at airports during our travels or when we're visiting specific shrines, their long brown robes and what looks like a white robe with knots tied around their waist attract attention, doesn't it? How many of us wonder what their life is like? Why are they called Franciscan friars? Today on our journey, we will meet a Franciscan friar.

Father Alex Kratz is a longtime friend of my husband Tom and I, and a friend of our Ministry Pilgrim Center of Hope.




What drew you specifically to St. Francis and the Franciscan rather than another religious order?
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Journeys of Hope.
Life is a journey, and this is your spiritual passport.
Where will the journey take us today? Let's walk together as we learn to become people of faith and hope.

I serve as co-director for Pilgrim Center of Hope, where we are recording at St. Joseph's Studio.

Pilgrim Center of Hope, producer of this weekly radio and podcast program, is a nonprofit ministry founded in 1993 with the mission of guiding people to walk in hope with Christ and the Church.

When we see Franciscan friars at a church or at airports during our travels or when we're visiting specific shrines, their long brown robes and what looks like a white robe with knots tied around their waist attract attention, doesn't it? How many of us wonder what their life is like? Why are they called Franciscan friars? Today on our journey, we will meet a Franciscan friar.

Father Alex Kratz is a longtime friend of my husband Tom and I, and a friend of our Ministry Pilgrim Center of Hope.




What drew you specifically to St. Francis and the Franciscan rather than another religious order?