Living the Gospel Through Simplicity, Brotherhood, and Service
While rooted in the same Franciscan Rule and Constitutions, defining Capuchin identity and spirituality today can be challenging, especially with the introduction of pluriformity, which permits diverse ways of living out the same tradition. This diversity reflects the Capuchin Order’s ongoing commitment to renewal and adaptation in response to the changing needs of the times.
Capuchin spirituality has been deeply influenced by its historical journey, particularly the reforms of the 16th century. These reforms were a response to the desire to return to the original spirit of St. Francis, emphasizing simplicity, poverty, and a direct engagement with the Gospel. At its heart, Capuchin spirituality seeks to renew the Franciscan tradition by focusing on a profound inner and contemplative journey. This involves a deep personal encounter with God, nurtured by prayer, along with a transformative identification with Christ crucified.
Similarly, just as with various aspects within the Catholic Church, the Second Vatican Council brought significant change and reform to the Capuchin identity. The Capuchin constitutions were revised, moving from a focus on penitence to a focus on fraternal life. This transformation stems from a renewed understanding of Franciscan sources, which emphasize that Francis of Assisi envisioned his movement as a ‘fraternitas,’ highlighting the unique value of each brother. Living as brothers is now seen as an essential and irreplaceable aspect of embodying the Gospel and the Christian life.
"The Rule and life of the Minor Brothers is this, namely, to observe the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, by living in obedience, without property and in chastity."
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI - REGULA BULLATA CHAPTER I
Prayer
In the same way a relationship with Christ was central in the life of St. Francis, so it is for every Capuchin friar. Prayer is a relationship with God – who is love. The purpose of this relationship is first and foremost to listen to His affirmation of love for each of us, which is the foundation of the Christian faith, but also to continually discover His will for us. The Christian vocation is not about doing good but about continuing God’s work, which calls for the need to be rooted in Christ. For us Capuchins, prayer is not only a practice, but a way of life. Only when prayer becomes such, that one can refine a contemplative gaze upon reality; to look at the world with the eyes of God.
The Capuchin friars seek to live this out by immersing themselves daily in various spiritual practices that help them engage in daily conversation with God: active participation in daily Mass, praying the liturgy of the hours, the rosary, an hour of silent meditation, regular lectio divina, and various moments of adoration and intercessory prayer.
Fraternity
Living in fraternity was a choice very dear to St. Francis. Since all of creation is the work of God then, every living creature is a brother and a sister, in Christ. Francis saw fraternity as a gift from above, a gift rooted in the intimacy of the Trinity – ‘the Lord gave me brothers’ (the testament of St. Francis). This means that as Capuchins, each brother seeks to receive every other brother as a gift, thus striving daily to love, help and respect each brother in fraternity. Together capuchin brothers commit to following as best they can everything that St. Francis asks of them in his rule: to live simply, with devotion to the Lord Jesus and grounding everything in the holy gospel. This choice is reflected in their attire – the simple brown habit with a hood.
They strive to live fraternity by intentionally spending quality time together during moments of prayer, meals, and recreation together. However, this alone is not enough. Fraternity requires honesty among brothers, space for correction when needed, mutual trust, and a commitment to working together as much as possible. More than just the time spent together, what truly defines fraternity is the safe environment that is created within each fraternity – a safe space where everyone can open up without fear or shame.
Minority
In the Franciscan tradition, minority refers to the principles of humility, simplicity, and solidarity with the poor. Just as Jesus gave his life for us, emptying himself, “taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man” (Phil 2, 7), so Francis wanted his brothers to live in the same way. Genuine minority requires trust and abandonment in the love of God. Minority is also relational. It allows the person who chooses this lifestyle to be wholly open to others, to creation and to God.
The Capuchin friars seek to live this choice of minority by pursuing a simple life, which at its core is a continuous search for what is essential. A friar who is truly “minor” recognizes that the state of being consecrated does not elevate him onto some kind of pedestal, but rather that, like everyone else, he is part of God’s creation – a human being among others, striving to be with others. The Capuchin also lives out this concept of minority by making choices, as much as possible, in favour of the poor and the environment.
Mission
The Capuchin way of life is both contemplative and active. This means that both prolonged prayer and work are central to their lifestyle. St. Francis himself reflected on what the Lord was asking of him and arrived at a balance between prayer and work – he is seen engaged in deep prayer, but also preaching and working with the poor. In light of this, Capuchin brothers seek to understand what the Lord is asking of them and strive to respond faithfully.
The Capuchins live out their apostolate in various ways. Among their works, they serve as chaplains in hospitals and prisons, work with marginalized individuals at the ‘Suret il-Bniedem’ Foundation, serve in parishes and their churches, offer confession and spiritual accompaniment, provide charity to those in need, preach, organize various community activities, and support missionary work.