The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement opened San Damiano Farm, a new life-giving ministry that will serve men in recovery from substance addictions, on October 1. On November 16, the Friars officially blessed the Farm.
San Damiano Farm melds together the unique opportunity of continuing outpatient treatment and optional spiritual direction at St. Christopher’s Inn along with new vocational programs. The men in recovery at St. Christopher’s will now have an option to remain longer at the Holy Mountain to gain experience in farming and retail, thus gaining new marketable vocational skills that will help to facilitate long term recovery and restore a sense of self worth.
The Farm hopes to produce food year round in order to offset the cost of acquiring food for the over 400 people who eat daily on the Holy Mountain. Organic produce, flowers, and Christmas trees will be sold, and the Farm will work with Farm to Table restaurants to provide locally grown organic produce as well as sell produce at the local Farmers Market.