The Capuchin Franciscans are a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers
who are inspired by the ideals of St. Francis of Assisi.  In the spirit of St. Francis, we live a
Gospel brotherhood embracing the message of Christ, living simply, and committed to
serving the poor.
Our strength is derived from our rich heritage of contemplative prayer, preaching the
Word of God, and caring for those in need.  We circle the globe with about 12,000 Friars,
who serve our Lord and the Church in a variety of ministries: preaching God’s Word,
directing retreats, being present to the sick in hospitals and nursing homes, leading
parish communities, staffing soup kitchens and shelters for the homeless, reaching out
to the poor and needy, and serving as missionaries in foreign lands.
Capuchin Friars live and work in big cities and small towns across the United States and
around the world.  We follow Jesus Christ in the way of life begun by St. Francis of
Assisi.  Today we are one of the largest religious orders in the Catholic Church.
Our Life celebrates the traditional religious values of poverty, chastity and obedience.  
Our ministry focuses on service to the poor everywhere, the oppressed, the infirm, the
troubled and the forgotten.  Your contribution put Friars in places where they are able to
feed, clothe, and care for children, teenagers, adults and the elderly who are most in
need.
The Friars respond to the urgent needs of the Church in diverse ways:  preaching God’s
Word, serving in parishes, caring for the sick and aged, teaching job and life skills,
operating soup kitchens, food pantries and shelter homes for the hungry and the
homeless, ministering to migrants and their families, providing hospice care for persons
with HIV/AIDS, and wherever there is a need.
We are chaplains, missionaries, pastors, writers, cooks, preachers, counselors,
mechanics, educators, youth ministers and social workers.  Te needs of the poor and
the call of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shape our life and our work.  We rely on your
contributions to create meaningful, positive changes in the e lives of our least sisters
and brothers.
We live in Franciscan brotherhood, supporting and challenging one another in our
shared Catholic faith and in our religious vocations.  By working and praying together, we
encourage each other to fully live the Gospel, in the spirit and example of St. Francis of
Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, Blesses Padre Pio, Father Solanus Casey, and many other
holy Friars, past and present.
Capuchins wear the traditional habit of St. Francis of Assisi, sandals on our feet, ropes
around our waist, rosary beads at our side, as an outward sign of belonging to a
Franciscan Brotherhood.  However, it is living habits of service to God and others that are
at the heart of our Capuchin life and community.  We are deeply grateful for your
donations, and your Friars promise to honor your sacrifice in our prayers and Masses
each day.
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