Ongoing formation in the charisms of Capuchin Franciscan life is a critical source of renewal for the friars as they go about their activities. Every other month the Capuchin friars gather at a webinar organized by Br. Jack Rathschmidt and facilitated usually by a particular friar. Each webinar touches on a different topic or aspect of the Franciscan vocation, be it fraternal life, contemplative practice, or justice and peace.

The wisdom of Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’ encyclical letter on fraternity and social friendship in our modern world, was at the center of two webinars we held this fall. Br. Salvatore Cordaro, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in New Paltz, N.Y., addressed the theme of “Franciscan Joy in Dark Times” in his webinar on Sept. 17. Drawing on Fratelli Tutti, he spoke about the meaning and sources of authentic Franciscan joy in a world wracked by divisions and violence. Father Sal spoke for 20 minutes, and a short group discussion followed. 

One of the distinctive features of Fratelli Tutti is Pope Francis’ re-reading of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, which he takes as paradigmatic for the building of community on a global level. Our next webinar on Nov. 12 examined what it is like for friars to build community within and beyond their own particular places of origin. Br. Arlen Harris, chaplain at the New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital in New York City, invited the friars to linger with the insights of Pope Francis as he drew on his own life experiences of social friendship as a friar and a priest.