About Us
"Saint Anthony of Padua Mission Aid (SAPMA) was founded in 1990 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a Canadian Registered Charity # 12534-5744-RR0001 affiliated with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Canada (Our Lady of the Angels Province) and of the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Italy. The Association works with the Franciscan Friars Conventual to promote St. Anthony of Padua’s legacy of ministry which integrates Gospel and Charity."
Promoting devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua in Canada and aiding the Saint’s mission of charity to the most vulnerable in the world
Our Priorities
SAPMA will give priority to projects:
Sponsored by the Franciscan Friars Conventual or projects where a friar is engaged in the project.
Sponsored by Franciscan Friars, Sisters, Brothers or Secular Franciscans.
Sponsored by a Catholic charitable organization.
Sponsored by a faith-based group.
Our Franciscan Values
SAPMA seeks to reflect the following Franciscan values in the projects it supports:
Poverty: St. Anthony of Padua, like his founder St. Francis lived a poor life in imitation of Christ. This motivated him to serve the poor among us. The projects supported by SAPMA are ones that especially respond to the needs of:
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The poor or marginalized
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Women and children at risk
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Frail elderly
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People with disabilities
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People with addictions and/or mental health issues
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Those deprived of adequate housing or water
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Care of God’s Creation
Simplicity: The Franciscan tradition is one that avoids grandeur and focuses on being “small” and “simple”. Accordingly, SAPMA will especially support projects which:
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Are not primarily government funded
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Are “grassroots” and locally governed
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Are small and sustainable
Community: Franciscans are ultimately sisters and brothers to one another, to creation and Christ himself. SAPMA seeks to support projects that promote community, interdependence and relationships. Priority will be given to requests which:
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Involve the setting up of micro-enterprises to empower people
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Assist with development rather than assistance
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Promote collaboration with other groups which share our Franciscan values
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Assist people to live in community
Board of Directors
Friar Giancarlo Zamengo, OFM Conv. (President)
Padua, Italy
Friar Richard Riccioli, OFM Conv. (Vice President)
Brooklyn, NY
Friar Peter Knaapen, OFM Conv. (Treasurer)
Toronto, ON
Friar Mario Conte OFM Conv.
Padua, Italy
Friar Maurice Richard, OFM Conv.
Ottawa, ON
Friar Massimiliano Patassini, OFM Conv.
Padua, Italy
Friar Tom Reist, OFM Conv.
Toronto, ON
Friar Reto Davatz, OFM Conv.
Kingston, ON
Ms. Adelina Gagliardi
Toronto, ON
Ms. Giorgia Sartori
Padua, Italy