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A Friar's Thoughts on a Day Laborer's Struggles
I already had made a couple of phone calls to Emmanuel, a contractor who had picked up Marvin and Edwin at the work link center, but then had failed to pay them for a week's work. He promised them and me over the phone, several times, that he would pay them...
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The Capuchin Charisms
The Capuchin charisms define the way in which Capuchins live as followers of St. Francis. To read more about the Capuchin Charisms from an article in our 2007 Annual Report, please click on the link below.
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What is a Discernment Weekend?
The single most meaningful occurrence is our Discernment Weekends which we offer 6 times during the academic year. Each weekend offers a different theme and is presented by a number of Capuchin Franciscans, well-known and respected in their field.
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Capuchin Life
Fraternity:
“Inspired by God, St. Francis initiated a gospel form of life that he called a brotherhood according to the example of the life of Christ and His disciples” Capuchin Constitutions #83:5
“For this reason, united by faith in God and nourished at the table both of the Divine Word and the Eucharist, we love one another that the world may know we are Christ’s disciples” Capuchin Constitutions #83:7
- Our communities average 3 to 5 brothers living together for fraternal support.
- We gather together for prayer 2 or 3 times each day.
- All meals are taken in common.
- All goods are held in common.
- Each friar’s unique talents are recognized and used for the common good.
- Important events in brothers’ lives are celebrated by all.
Ministry:
“The Son of God was sent into the world so that, assuming our human condition, He might bring the good news to the poor, heal the contrite of heart, proclaim liberty to prisoners, and restore sight to the blind” Capuchin Constitutions #144:1
- Like Jesus Christ and St. Francis of Assisi we are both contemplative and active
- We serve the needs of all with special emphasis being placed on the poor and marginalized
- Capuchin Franciscans serve in inner city, suburban and rural parishes; teach in elementary schools, high schools and colleges; are hospital, prison and university chaplains; are social workers and counselors; are involved in youth and retreat work; serve the poor in soup kitchens and in assisting them with clothing, housing and immigration issues; outreach program for day laborers; HIV / AIDS ministry
- We minister in this country as well as Guam, Hawaii, Honduras and Japan...and hoping to expand to Africa
- Where there is a need, we are there…always keeping in mind our call to brotherhood, prayer in common and service to the poor
Prayer:
“Desiring above all things the Spirit of the Lord and Its holy activity, praying always God with a pure heart, let us offer people a witness of authentic prayer in such a way that they may see and sense in our faces and in the life of our fraternities the goodness and kindness of God present in the world” Capuchin Constitutions #45:8
- We celebrate and/or attend daily Eucharist
- We recite the Liturgy of the Hours in common each day
- We spend two half hour periods of meditation in common daily
- Opportunities for Eucharistic adoration offered frequently
- Private prayers and devotions encouraged
- Monthly day of recollection
- Yearly mandatory retreat