Since 1949, Carmelite friars have served the people of Peru, centered in the Miraflores section of the capitol, Lima and expanding to the Prelature of Sicuani. Since 1949, we have shared the hardships and poverty of the people among whom we live and work. More recently, friars have begun a huge ministry in José Gálvez in the new Diocese of Lurín. There is unspeakable poverty. Thousands of people appear overnight, moving into the city in a desperate search for jobs and food. Here the Carmelites run three parishes; a school that serves 1,800 pre-school, grade school, high school and special education students; soup kitchens that serve breakfast to hundreds of children and lunch to those who would otherwise go hungry; a clinic and sewing co-op. There seems to be a mobile give and take among friars in the United States and their missionaries in Peru. Every year when he returns to the United States, José Lucchesi, O.Carm, seeks out his friars in Chicago-area parishes. Every year, they send tons of unusable items from their churches and chapels. In José Gálvez these items are repaired and turned into goods that have helped to start up 200 parishes in Peru. Local artisans have even made molds of donated statues and they now can cast statues of St. Thérčse and other figures for local parishes. Carmelite friars also run the St. Joseph Bakery, which helps rehabilitate 30 men at a time and trains them as bakers over an 18-month period. The men are often literally taken off the streets and sometimes need drug or alcohol counseling as well. Over 10 years, close to 1,000 men have participated in the program, which is supported in part by bread sales. Because of our presence, local men have started to join the Carmelites. There is now a formation program in Peru with seven men studying to be friars.