Dar Frate Jacoba

Dar Frate Jacoba is a Franciscan-inspired community dedicated to promoting human dignity, sustainable living and spiritual growth. Established in 2007 through the Youth Alive Foundation, the centre brings together Franciscan friars, lay people and volunteers in a shared mission of welcoming, supporting and accompanying young people facing social and personal difficulties.

Inspired by the values of St Francis of Assisi, Dar Frate Jacoba seeks to create an environment where individuals can rediscover their dignity, develop their potential and experience a sense of belonging. Its mission is built around three essential pillars: hospitality and social inclusion, care for creation, and prayer and spirituality.

At the heart of Dar Frate Jacoba is the belief that every person deserves to be welcomed, respected and given the opportunity to grow. The centre offers a supportive, family-like environment where young people from challenging backgrounds can experience the importance of community life, mutual responsibility and meaningful work.

Through daily activities, education, practical skills and personal accompaniment, residents are encouraged to develop confidence, independence and stronger social relationships. Community living plays a central role, helping individuals learn cooperation, responsibility and respect for themselves and others.

One of the centre's distinguishing features is its commitment to permaculture, an environmentally responsible approach to agriculture and sustainable living.

The surrounding agricultural land has been transformed into a productive green environment, incorporating the cultivation of crops, fruit trees and indigenous plants. Residents and volunteers participate in practical activities that encourage teamwork, environmental awareness and the responsible use of natural resources.

Inspired by the Franciscan understanding of creation as a gift from God, these activities are more than agricultural work. They offer opportunities for personal development, learning and well-being while fostering a deeper appreciation of the relationship between humanity and nature.

Prayer forms an essential part of life at Dar Frate Jacoba. The centre includes a chapel that provides a peaceful setting for personal reflection, community prayer, the celebration of the Eucharist and Lectio Divina, the prayerful reading and meditation of Sacred Scripture.

Rooted in Franciscan spirituality, the community seeks to unite contemplation with action, recognising the presence of God in everyday life, in relationships with others and in the beauty of creation.

The centre also provides a welcoming environment for visitors and groups seeking opportunities for reflection, spiritual renewal and a deeper understanding of Franciscan values.

Education and practical formation are important aspects of the centre's mission. Through the Frate Jacoba Educational Institute, residents are encouraged to acquire practical and social skills that can improve their personal development and future employment opportunities.

The centre is supported by volunteers and benefactors who contribute their time, abilities and resources. This collaboration between religious and lay people reflects the Franciscan spirit of fraternity, solidarity and service.

Dar Frate Jacoba continues to offer a living example of how faith, social responsibility and care for creation can come together, bringing hope and new opportunities to those who need them most.