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Capuchin Franciscan Spirituality, Entry Requirement and Formation Process in Karnataka Capuchin Holy Trinity Province...... click here for more

 

Capuchin Franciscan - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What's the difference between a "Capuchin" Franciscan and a regular Franciscan?
A. Capuchin Franciscans are regular Franciscans..they are part of the family of "Friars Minor" founded by St. Francis of Assisi.

Q. How many kinds of Franciscans are there anyway?
A. Only God knows how many kinds of Franciscans there are. We do know, however, that there are three within the First Order of St. Francis: the Franciscans of the Leonine Union (or "Order of Friars Minor" whose initials are "O.F.M."); the Conventual Franciscans (or "Order of Friars Minor Conventual" whose initials are "O.F.M.Conv.") and the Capuchin Franciscans (or "Order of Friars Minor Capuchin" who put "O.F.M.Cap." after their name)

Q. Is your Order named after the coffee drink called "cappuccino"?
A. Cappuccino (Italian for "Capuchin") is named after the Capuchin Franciscans. Legend has it that the whipped cream rising to a point reminded some Italian wag of a Capuchin friar with his long, pointed hood, or capuche, up and he dubbed the coffee beverage "cappuccino".

Q. Are you guys named after the "capuchin monkey"?
A. When the Spaniards first saw those adorable little monkeys in South America with tufts of hair on their chins resembling beards and heads that looked shaved, they dubbed the delightful primates "capuchinos" (having a beard used to be mandatory for all Capuchin Franciscan friars, and every deacon, priest and bishop was tonsured, having had the crown of his head shaved).

Q. What does "Capuchin" mean?
A. The word "Capuchin" apparently came from the Italian word for "hood." The first Capuchins were mocked for their long pointed hoods, being called "Scappuccini"; eventually, it became "Cappuccini" which was "Capucin" in French and came into English as "Capuchin."

Q. If I join the Capuchins in India, Karnataka, could I be stationed anywhere in the world there are Capuchins?
A. In theory, any Capuchin friar could be stationed anywhere in the world where the friars have established themselves, but in practice, the friars tend to be stationed within the confines of their own jurisdiction. St. Francis used to say, "The world is my cloister!"

Q. Can a Capuchin become a bishop?
A. Capuchin Franciscan friars can become members of the Church's hierarchy. In the U.S., the Archbishop of Denver, CO, (Archbishop Charles Chaput) and the Bishop of Fall River, MA, (Bishop Sean O'Malley) are Capuchins. Earlier there were many Capuchin Bishops in North India.

Q. How long does it take to become a "full-fledged" Capuchin?
A. In a sense, one never becomes a full-fledged Capuchin Franciscan friar because formation is an on-going process. From the first stage of initiation to perpetual pofession of vows takes anywhere from ten to thirteen years in most cases.

Q. Do I need a college degree to be a Capuchin?
A. One does not need a college to join the Capuchins, though many ministries which the friars are engaged in would require a good college education.

Q. Was Padre Pio a Capuchin?
A. Padre Pio was a Capuchin Franciscan friar and a priest noted for his holiness of life and for having the Stigmata: the five wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side. In fact, he was the first priest in the history of the Church to have received the Stigmata. Pope John Paul II will proclaim him "Blessed Pio of Pietrelcina" on May 2, 1999 and Canonized on 16th June 2002 by the Pope John Paul II

Q. Do I have to be a Catholic to be a Capuchin?
A. Only practicing Catholics are considered for membership in the fraternity.

Q. Do I have to be a man to be a Capuchin, or can women join too?
A. Only men can become Capuchin Franciscan friars. There is an order of Capuchin Poor Clare nuns who belong to the second Order of St. Francis, and there are communities of Capuchin Franciscan Sisters who belong to the Third Order of St. Francis.

Q. Is celibacy trying or lonely?
A. Celibacy can be very trying and it can be lonely. Living in community helps celibates to overcome loneliness and prayer and work can help make celibacy less trying. Celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom is a gift from God who provides the graces necessary to lead a celibate life.

Q. Do vows of poverty mean you cannot own anything? How do you pay for stuff?
A. According to the popular belief poverty means you can have anything...you just can't own it. Seriously, our vow is based on our trust on God's providence which can best be seen by living simply, and always having a "preferencial option" for the poor. Practically speaking, we share what we have and ask for what we need.

Q. Does the vow of obedience mean you have to do what your told or else?
A. Obedience means that you must follow the directions of your religious superiors as the expression of God's will for you unless those directions violate one's conscience. As we pray when we recite the Lord's prayer, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.."

 

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Fr. Manohar Mervin Dsouza
Vocation Director

ST. ANNE’S FRIARY
Jail Road, Kodialbail Post, Mangalore
Karnataka - 575 003, India
Phone: 9980104579 / 9481976210
Email: mmdsouza1972@gmail.com

Regional vocation directors

 

CAPUCHIN FRANCISCANS:
Hearing the Call

CAPUCHIN FRANCISCANS:
Inspired by St. Francis

 

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ST. ANNE’S FRIARY,  Jail Road, Kodialbail Post, Mangalore, Karnataka - 575 003, India.                  Email : capuchinsmangalore@gmail.com

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