Capuchin Franciscan Friars Aotearoa New Zealand

Custody of the Immaculate Conception

Capuchin Foundation 1958

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. There are numerous Franciscan Congregations throughout the world. 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. The origin of the word cappuccino dates back over 500 years to the Capuchin order of friars. Some believe the beverage was invented by the actual 17th century Capuchin monk, Marco d'Aviano, some time after the Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683 which soon entered so-called urban legends.. Yet no mention of this occurs in his biographies. The first use of "cappuccino" in English was recorded in 1948, yet the beverage was highly popular in Italy in the early 1900s.

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, 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. How many "Provinces" are there?

A. There are Capuchin Provinces', 'Vice-Provinces' and 'Custodies' in over 100 countries throughout the world. There are about 11,000 Capuchins world-wide.

Q. Can a Capuchin become a bishop?

A. Capuchin Franciscan friars can become members of the Church's hierarchy. There are several Capuchin Bishops or Archbishops in countries around the world.

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 profession of vows takes anywhere from five to ten 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 some college education.

Q. Was Padre Pio a Capuchin? Is he a saint?

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. On June 16, 2002, over 500,000 Padre Pio devotees gathered in Rome to witness Pope John Paul II proclaim Padre Pio, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.

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. Our vow is based on our trust on God's providence which can best be seen by living simply, and always having a "preferential 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.