Capuchin spirituality is rooted in the charism of its founding father. St. Francis and his earliest companions lived together in a small community, spending their time in prayer and the praises of God, working with their hands, begging for their bodily sustenance, and preaching penance in the towns and villages surrounding Assisi. It was a desire to return to this simple ideal and original inspiration which gave birth to the Capuchin Reform in 1525. In establishing themselves as an independent branch of the Franciscan family, the early Capuchins sought to return to the original ideals of St. Francis. The friars were reacting, in many ways, to the perceived abuses and relaxations common at the time. In so doing, the Capuchins forged their own unique identity, an identity grounded in traditional Franciscan values, but given fresh, genuine expression through a radical adherence to the strict interpretation of the Rule and Testament.
Pope John Paul II summarized the uniqueness of the Capuchin Franciscan spirituality in his July 7, 2000 Address to the General Chapter. He began by specifying the identity of the Friars Minor is general, stating:
“You should keep in mind two particular aspects: first of all, the priority and centrality of Gospel brotherhood, as St. Francis wished, which distinguishes you as friars and makes you an order of brothers.”
The Holy Father then went on to describe the particular charism by which the Capuchin Franciscans give concrete expression to this identity, stating:
“From this perspective, it will be your task to instill in every aspect of your life what is characteristic of the Franciscan-Capuchin charism: the spirit of prayer, lowliness, simplicity, poverty and austerity, contact with the people, closeness to the needy, zeal for evangelization, joy, and Christian hope.”
This description of the Capuchin charism is nearly identical with that given in the Constitutions of the Capuchin Friars Minor, Chapter 1, 4. The spirituality of the Capuchin can thus be summed up according to the following: Priority of contemplative prayer, radical poverty (both personal and communal), a spirit of minority, austerity and joyful penance, and a love of the Lord’s Cross. One might add to these elements a fervent devotion to the Eucharist and the Immaculate Virgin Mary, both of which permeate the Rule, the Constitutions, and the writings of the Capuchin saints.
This section of the site will outline some of the basic themes of Capuchin spirituality, subdivided according to the aforementioned elements in the right-hand column of this page. This section is a work in progress and will be updated as time permits.
Capuchin Spirituality
The following documents, especially the Rule, Constitutions, and Testament of St. Francis summarize the:
• The Rule of St. Francis
• Constitutions of the Capuchin Friars
• The Testament of St. Francis
• The Rule of St. Francis
• Constitutions of the Capuchin Friars
• The Testament of St. Francis
Official Documents
• Religionis Zelus
The bull by which Pope Clement VII approved the Capuchin Order.
• The Statutes of Albacina
The earliest attempt at an articulation of the Capuchin Reform movement.
The bull by which Pope Clement VII approved the Capuchin Order.
• The Statutes of Albacina
The earliest attempt at an articulation of the Capuchin Reform movement.
Other Important Writings
According to our Rule and Constitutions, the following are important elements of Capuchin Franciscan spirituality:
• Priority of Contemplative Prayer
• Radical Poverty
• Spirit of Minority
• Austerity
• Joyful Penance
• Love of the Cross
• Eucharistic Devotion
• The Immaculate Virgin Mary
• Priority of Contemplative Prayer
• Radical Poverty
• Spirit of Minority
• Austerity
• Joyful Penance
• Love of the Cross
• Eucharistic Devotion
• The Immaculate Virgin Mary
Capuchin Spirituality
Home | Site Map | Contact Us | Blog | Login
© 2010 Capuchin Province of Mid-
