Franciscan Priest Visits Bay City St. Mary on Food for the Poor Appeal

Father Bob Karris Translates Ancient Latin at St. Bonaventure University

November 16, 2007
By: Dave Rogers

When Father Robert F. Karris, O.F.M., takes a break from translating ancient Latin at St. Bonaventure University his "hobby" is raising money for food for the poor.

Fr. Karris, 70, recently visited Bay City St. Mary Parish and wowed parishioners with his dynamic style of speaking on behalf of Food For The Poor (FFTP).

"Food For The Poor serves the poorest of the poor in 16 nations throughout the Caribbean and Latin America," he said in an interview. "We work directly with local clergy, missionaries and other church-based social programs of various denominations."

He noted that Forbes Magazine in 2006 awarded FFTP a 97 percent fundraising efficiency rating. More than 96 percent of all donations received in 2006 went directly to programs that help the poor, he said.

Fr. Karris' "regular job" is translating the 13th century writings of St. Bonaventure from ancient Latin into English, the first time this has been done in that language.

"This 13th Century Franciscan Friar, professor at the University of Paris, minister general of the Franciscans, cardinal and esteemed ecclesiastical adviser played a crucial role in shaping the spirituality of the high Middle Ages," wrote religious reviewer Michael Downey. "He created what is arguably the richest synthesis of Christian spirituality of the medieval age? [and] thereby gave direction to the spirituality of Western Christianity for centuries."

Fr. Karris, a member of the research faculty of the Franciscan Institute, is general editor of the Bonaventure Texts in Translation series that provides annotated translations from the Latin originals of the works of St. Bonaventure.

"This series is designed for students and seekers who wish to steep themselves in the rich theological vision of this medieval giant," said Fr. Karris.

A native of Chicago, he joined the junior seminary at age 13 and has mainly been a professor throughout his career.


He has degrees from the Pontificum Atenaeum Antonianum in Rome, Catholic University, Washington, D.C., and a doctorate in theology from Harvard University.

But in recent years he branched out to travel the country raising money for the charitable cause. He is one of a cadre of volunteer priests who help support FFTP. He makes from one to three appeals each month.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy has named Food For The Poor as the second largest international charity in the U.S. Food For The Poor is now ranked as the 10th largest overall charity in the United States and is the largest charity in the state of Florida.

During the fiscal year 2006, Food For The Poor realized total contributions of $861 million. Food For The Poor has continuously maintained a significantly low operating expense, and reported an operating expense ratio of 3.84% for 2006.

Robin Mahfood, president/CEO of Food For The Poor stated, "Our commitment to the poor and hungry of the Caribbean and Latin America intensifies each year. The countless individuals and organizations that share our vision enable us to expand our efforts. Our greatest achievements are the ongoing programs which impact the lives of so many of the destitute by providing the assistance they need in nutritional, housing, medical, water, educational and self-help projects. These projects afford the poor a better opportunity to break free from the bonds of poverty."


"Since 1982, we have provided clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and emergency relief, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor," said Mr. Mahfood. For additional information about FFTP programs, please visit the website at www.foodforthepoor.org.

Father Karris may be contacted at rkarris@sbu.edu.### ###