over a century ago, servant of god father paul wattson, sa, the founder of the franciscan friars of the atonement, was searching for a name for a new religious society. opening the scriptures at random, his eyes fell upon the eleventh verse of the fifth chapter of st. paul’s epistle to the romans: “...we also joy in god, through our lord jesus christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” the last word of the verse stood out with a vividness that was to him overwhelming at-one-ment. and so, the society had found its name. headquartered at graymoor in garrison, new york, the franciscan friars of the atonement are a roman catholic religious community with social, ecumenical, and pastoral ministries in the united states, canada, england, italy, and japan. since its inception in 1898, reconciliation through atonement—the unity of men and women with god and with one another—has been the mission of the friars’ work and ministries to people of every race, religion, and walk of life.