Capuchin Franciscans (religious order)
Capuchin Franciscans are a reform branch of the larger Franciscan order within the Roman Catholic Church, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century. Established in 1525 by Matteo da Bascio, the Capuchins sought to return to the original ideals of poverty and simplicity, distancing themselves from the more affluent practices that had emerged within the Franciscans. Recognizable by their distinctive brown robes with pointed hoods, Capuchins emphasize living and serving among the people, especially the marginalized and needy.
Their mission includes preaching, education, and humanitarian work, reflecting a commitment to the values of fraternity, prayer, and action. Capuchins view themselves as "contemplatives in action," believing that true contemplation leads to active service. With a global membership of about 10,000 in 2024, they continue to adapt to contemporary challenges while remaining rooted in the Franciscan tradition of promoting justice and equality. The Capuchins maintain a communal lifestyle and take vows of poverty, embodying principles of humility and service that resonate with their foundational beliefs.
Capuchin Franciscans (religious order)
Formation: 1525
Founder: Matteo da Bascio
Capuchin Franciscans are a branch of the Franciscan order. The Franciscans are the largest religious order in the Roman Catholic Church. Founded by St. Francis of Assisi during the early thirteenth century, Franciscans took a vow of poverty and could own no property, including money. Franciscan friars devoted themselves to the common people, living among them and supporting themselves by begging or by working for food, clothing, and shelter. Traveling preachers, they helped the sick and the poor.
During the next few centuries after their founding, some Franciscans worried that their members had strayed too far from the example set by St. Francis. Many had abandoned their vows of poverty, serving as university professors or papal servants charged with rooting out heretics and turning them over to the courts. Franciscans had participated in the repressive Inquisition and in anti-Jewish campaigns. In 1525, disillusioned with the current state of the Franciscans, Friar Matteo da Bascio led a movement to reform the order. Advocating a return to a life of simplicity, contemplation, and service, the reformers abandoned their religious habits (uniforms), adopting instead the type of robe St. Francis was believed to have worn. These plain brown robes had a long pointed hood, or capuche. This word is the origin of Capuchin, the name of the order. In modern times, Capuchins are recognized by these same robes.
In 2023, it was announced that the Franciscan Community of Brisbane would be closing its doors by the end of the year. The closure was the result of the advanced age of its residents and a significant decline in new members. By 2024, the Capuchin order estimated its membership to be about 10,000 worldwide.
History
St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order amid conditions of thirteenth-century Europe that troubled the Catholic hierarchy. Church leaders believed that a large segment of the population had either strayed from a spiritual path or engaged in outright heresy. Within the Church, movements arose to address what was perceived as an age of spiritual decline. St. Francis envisioned a new role for mendicant (begging) monks. Instead of cloistering themselves away in monasteries, these friars lived among the people, preaching in communities and working to assist those in need. Pope Innocent III formally endorsed St. Francis’s new order in 1210.
Soon after its founding, conflict arose within the Franciscan order—especially over the issue of poverty. St. Francis believed that his friars should own neither property nor money, and could not even come into contact with the latter. Factions arose, with Church officials often stepping in to mediate disputes and offer compromises. In 1517, disagreements among various factions had become so unmanageable that Pope Leo X officially separated the Franciscan Order into two branches—the strict Observants and the more moderate Conventuals. Soon, disputes arose within the Observants, and Matteo da Bascio formed the Capuchins to reestablish the original teachings and practices of St. Francis.
In the next few decades, Capuchins were treated harshly by the established Franciscan Order. The pope forbade the Capuchins to expand outside Italy. However, the common people—well served by the Capuchins—embraced them. The number of Capuchin friars grew steadily. By 1571, the Order had about 17,000 members, and three years later was permitted by the Church to expand freely. It was officially recognized as an independent order in 1619.
Beliefs and Practices
In the seventeenth century, Capuchins were among the first Catholic missionaries to arrive in the United States, traveling along the Mississippi River. Capuchin friars became recognized not simply for their brown, hooded robes, but for their role as peacemakers who lived simply among the settlers to whom they ministered. Over the course of the next few centuries, although Capuchins may have adapted to the times, their philosophy and way of life remain unchanged. In the United States, Capuchins are organized into seven regional jurisdictions, usually based in the areas within cities and towns where people’s needs are greatest.
One of the Capuchins’ basic foundations is fraternity. They live together with their fellow brothers—a way of life based on a story described in the Bible, in which Jesus washes his disciples’ feet and then bids them to go out and do the same for others. Capuchins believe that living simply among a fraternity of brothers is especially important in the modern era, in which people are often isolated from one another and alienated from society. Fraternity helps enhance prayer—the other essential foundation of the Capuchin ministry. Capuchins believe personal prayer, as well as prayer among the fraternity, strengthens an individual’s relationship with God and his fellow brothers. This allows Capuchins to give fully of themselves to others.
Although all branches of Franciscans view themselves as contemplatives, Capuchins distinguish themselves as "contemplatives in action." Capuchins do not see prayer and reflection as ends in themselves, but as an inspiration to action. Although each individual friar may be called to act in a different vocation, all direct their efforts to serve others. Capuchin brothers may serve as preachers and professors, work in soup kitchens, schools, or hospitals, or utilize specialized skills as artists, writers, farmers, or mechanics. Capuchins still take vows of poverty, living a simple, communal lifestyle that provides them what they need to sustain a healthy life. They believe that a friar must care adequately for himself so he can serve others.
Capuchin beliefs are based on the Franciscan philosophy of providing for the poor, advocating justice, and promoting equality. They try to live lives that reflect the Beatitudes, which come from a story in the Bible that describes Jesus delivering his Sermon on the Mount. Noted in the sermon’s opening verses, the Beatitudes (blessings) express human qualities essential to a happy, fulfilling life. Appearing in the Gospel of Matthew (5:3–12), the Beatitudes include, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (verse 3); "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill" (verse 6); and "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (verse 9).
Bibliography
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