WHO WE ARE
Capuchin History
![Caps](https://capuchinfranciscans.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Caps.jpg)
The Capuchins trace their origins back to St. Francis of Assisi (d.1226) and St. Clare of Assisi (d. 1253). They began as a reform of the Franciscan Order in 1528, trying to live Franciscan ideals that they felt had gotten lost in the years after his death. The early Capuchins strove to live more simply, serve the poor, practice a contemplative prayer life, and preach the Word of God as St. Francis had done. The Capuchin Order began in Italy, but has spread to nearly every region of the world, today numbering approximately 10,500 members, making it one of the largest religious orders in existence in the Catholic Church.
![cap2](https://capuchinfranciscans.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cap2.png)
In 1856, two diocesan priests from Switzerland – Francis Haas and Bonaventure Frey – admired the Capuchins so much in their homeland that they desired to establish the Capuchin Order elsewhere. Looking for a home that resembled their native Switzerland, Francis and Bonaventure settled in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, which became the founding site of the Capuchin Order in the United States.
The first few years were rocky, but eventually the small community grew with new members. There in Mt. Calvary, Francis and Bonaventure built not only a friary, but eventually a seminary for the religious training of new members. St. Lawrence Seminary was opened in 1860 as “The Convent Latin School” and continues in existence today as the largest residential high school seminary in the United States. For more information on St. Lawrence Seminary, click on www.stlawrence.edu.
The Capuchin Order grew rapidly in the United States to the point where it became necessary to divide the friars into different regions or “provinces”.
Today, there are six Capuchin provinces in the United States. The Province of St. Joseph covers the upper Midwest and numerically is the largest province in America with approximately 170 friars who serve in communities from Detroit to Montana. www.thecapuchins.org
![cap1](https://capuchinfranciscans.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cap1.png)
ARE YOU READY TO
Become a Capuchin
LEARN ABOUT
Capuchin Ministries
Every religious order has its own charism or mission. The Capuchin-Franciscan charism is to build up relationships, inspired by Jesus’ gospel and Francis of Assisi’s example, as often as and wherever possible. This leads Capuchins to be involved in a great diversity of ministries, since every area of church life and ministry needs the healing touch of wholesome relationships. Capuchins are drawn strongly to the places and people whose relationships are particularly fragile and vulnerable. Thus, many Capuchins minister among poor and marginalized people.
Further, the needs of the poor and the demands of justice shape all Capuchin ministries. Capuchins work to promote the equality of all people within the Capuchin Order, the Catholic Church, and the world. In the words of Fr. Solanus Casey [1870-1957], a Detroit Capuchin who is being considered for sainthood, “To be children of God, we must be lovers of justice, truth, and peace.”
To learn more about our ministries: https://www.thecapuchins.org/ministries
ATTEND OUR
Upcoming Events
LEARN ABOUT