Fr. Pio Jackson, O.F.M. is an ordained member of the worldwide Religious Order of Friars Minor (Franciscan) of the Province of the Sacred Heart of 7 United States Provinces.  He has had extensive international experience and living even prior to entering his Order having lived in Asia and the Middle East, and service as a lay volunteer in a number of countries.   His scholastic seminary training was from the Pontifical affiliated and designated theological schools in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Israel.  He was in mission to the Holy Land for about 10 years.  State side he served as Chaplain to the Franciscans of Mary for several years,  assisted in the direction of an agency for the poor sponsored by his Province for several years, was Director of His Province’s Office of Justice and Peace after being Assistant Pastor of an African-American parish in Nashville, Tennessee for nearly ten years offering varied pastoral assistance.  He is also a regional spiritual assistant with the  worldwide Order of Franciscans Secular and provides spiritual direction and spiritual counseling with extensive experience for over 25 years along with currently directing his community as superior.