The Capuchin Friars, or Capuchins, are members of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, an order of friars within the Roman Catholic Church, and one of the chief offshoots of the Franciscan Order. The Capuchins were formed in 1520 when Matteo da Bascio, an Observant Franciscan friar, said that he had been inspired by God to realize that the manner of life led by the friars of his day was not the one that their founder, Saint Francis of Assisi, had intended. He sought to return to the more primitive way of life of solitude and penance that was practiced under the original Rule of Saint Francis. His superiors tried to suppress these innovations, and Church authorities sought to arrest Matteo and his followers for having abandoned their religious duties. They were given refuge by Camaldolese monks and, in gratitude, they later adopted the hood (cappuchio) of that Order and the practice of wearing a beard. Friar Matteo gained the approval of Pope Clement VII in 1528, for himself and for those who followed him. Originally a branch of the Conventual Francisans, they were known as the Hermit Friars Minor. The Observants, the other branch of the Franciscan Order at that time, opposed the movement. By 1529, there were four houses, and they had abandoned their hermit characteristics. Still, life was to be one of extreme austerity. Neither the monasteries or the Province could possess anything, nor were there any loopholes for evading this rule. Friars were not permitted to touch money. The Capuchins wore a brown habit of a simple form, girdled by the traditional woolen cord. The Capuchin monkey and the cappuccino style of coffee are both named for the shade of brown used in their habit. Today, the Capuchins have kept up their missionary work, most notably in India, Ethiopia, and parts of the former Turkish Empire, but they have a presence in several countries. The Capuchin Poor Clares are cloistered nuns of the Order of Saint Clare, the female branch of the Capuchin Order.
Recommended Resources
Located in Washington, DC, the Roman Catholic seminary is owned and administered by the priests and brothers of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Constructed in the early 1900s, the college serves as a house of Post-Novitiate training. Its charism is defined, along with a history of the Franciscans and Capuchin reform, and friars in formation are identified and introduced. A calendar of events and an blog are included.
http://capuchincollege.com/
Three centuries after Saint Francis of Assisi, a group of Franciscan friars wanted to live as their founder envisioned, observing the original Rule of Saint Francis. In 1528, Pope Clement VII gave them permission to form a new community of Franciscan friars, who soon became known as Capuchins or, more properly, the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Information about becoming a friar is put forth, including its formation process.
http://www.capuchin.com/
Capuchin Franciscan Friars, Province of the Sacred Stigmata of Saint Francis
The Capuchin Franciscan Order was founded in central Italy as a reform movement within the Observants, led by Mateo di Bascio, and is now one of the largest Franciscan Orders. A history of the Franciscans, the Capuchins, and its work in the New England area of the United States are discussed, along with a liturgical calendar, information on becoming a friar, the stages of formation, and contacts.
https://www.capuchinfriars.org/
Capuchin Franciscan Province of Saint Conrad
The Capuchin brothers, priest and lay, live and pray together while serving the poor and marginalized in Colorado, Kansas, Texas, and its foreign missions. A history and profile of the Franciscans, the Order of Friars Minor, and the Order of Friars Capuchin are put forth, along with a liturgical calendar, an overview of its programs and ministries, and access to various publications are included.
https://capuchins.org/
Capuchin Franciscan Province of Saint Joseph
The Saint Joseph Province is a religious community of friars inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi who are headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Its mission, ministries, preaching, and evangelization are highlighted, with an overview of its vocations, the levels of formation, and other details, including vocation stories. A history of the Franciscan Order and the Capuchins are included. A blog is included.
http://www.thecapuchins.org/
Capuchin Franciscans, Province of Saint Mary
Serving the Northeastern United States, the Province of Saint Mary is one of eight Capuchin provinces in North America. Its location, parish, preaching and mission ministries, chaplaincies, and outreach services are discussed, along with Capuchin vocations, it formation process, and a calendar of events. The General Curia, Secular Franciscan Order, Capuchin history and origins are included.
http://www.capuchin.org/
Curia Generalis Ordinis Fratrum Minorum Capuccinorum
The Fraternity, General Minister and Councilors, offices and services of the controlling entity of the Order of Friars Capuchin are identified, along with its projects and institutions. Other resources include the Rule of Saint Francis, the Constitutions of the Capuchins, primary councils, liturgical calendar, and formation processes. Access to various documents, news items, and video are included.
https://www.ofmcap.org/en/
