The Capuchin Franciscans

The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is a Catholic men's religious order following the rule of St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Francis grew up in a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy during the middle ages. He gave up his wealth and prestige, embracing a life of poverty and simplicity to serve those on the margins, especially the poor and the sick. He attracted many followers, who joined him and spread out around the world and were known as lesser brothers or friars minor.

The Capuchins: A 16th Century Catholic Reform Movement

300 years after St. Francis, Brother Matteo da Bascio began a reform of the Franciscan Order. Rooted in the Gospel of Jesus, especially Matthew Chapter 25, Br. Matteo and his followers created the Capuchin Order. The Capuchin reform sought a greater emphasis on contemplative prayer and direct service to the poor. The roots of the Capuchin reform began in 1525 in Italy during the Counter-Reformation. The Capuchin reform, so called because of the trademark hood (cappuccio in Italian) worn by the friars, quickly spread across Europe and the world. Today there are Capuchins around the globe ministering in parishes, schools, soup kitchens, hospitals and on the streets.

The Order is headquarterd at the General Curia in Rome. A General Minister is elected by his brother friars to serve as the chief executive. The Capuchins are governed by the Rule of St. Francis and the Capuchin Constitutions.

Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph

Capuchin Community Services is a ministry of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph. Based in Detroit, the Province of St. Joseph covers the territory of the American Midwest and Great Plains and includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. There are approximately 130 Capuchin friars spread across the Province, primarily based in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Montana. Other major ministries of the Province include St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Solanus Casey Center in Detroit and Capuchin Retreat Center in Washington, Michigan. In addition to these ministries and programs, Capuchin friars minister at parishes and providing social services to the indigenous people living on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations in southeastern Montana.