Are you at a stage in life where your are
wondering what life is all about, and discerning what future life holds
for you? Perhaps you are beginning to hear the gentle voice of God
inviting you to become a Capuchin Franciscan Friar! To live the
Gospel of His Son Jesus in the footsteps of St. Francis - 'living' the
Gospel...'making' a difference! Here is a good place to begin to more
clearly hear the Master calling to you, “Come follow me"! Listening to
the voice of the Lord.
From the time that
Jesus called the first disciples, to the gathering of brothers
around St. Francis of Assisi,
to this very day, men are
listening to God’s call to follow Christ as Capuchin
friars. In
the spirit of St. Francis, Capuchins are loyal sons of the
Church and enthusiastic witnesses to God’s gracious generosity.
Capuchins are found on every continent but Antarctica, and they
number nearly 12,000 world-wide, with the greatest growth in
Africa, Asia and Latin America. Even in North America there is a
resurgence of vocations to the Capuchin way of life.
God may indeed call men and women to perform specific works, but
the Capuchin vocation is a call to a way of life for a lifetime.
Of course, among the friars there is interest in a wide variety
of ministries; but each of the friars is committed to prayer and
a life of intimacy with the Lord; to being a witness to the
goodness and mercy of our God; to living the evangelical
counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience; and devoted to the
brotherhood of the friars, in union with the people among whom
they live and serve.
It is a life of challenges and sacrifices; it is not easy, nor
for the faint of heart. Every friar embraces the cross in his
daily life, knowing even in small ways the sufferings that our
Saviour endured for us. Christ Crucified is at the centre of the
friar’s life.
Listening to the voice of the Lord
The invitation of Jesus to his friends was very simple: "Come
and see!" This same invitation is made today. The exploration of
a vocation is done step by step. It is a gradual response to the
call of God. The Capuchin-Franciscans offer various
opportunities to men between 18 and 40 years old to explore
their vocation. The process is experiential and mutual: If you
are interested and fulfill the initial pre-requisites, then you
can 'come and see' if the life and ministry of the
Capuchin-Franciscan friars is for you and answers the desires of
your heart. On our part, we friars will help you in your
discernment. In any case, the goal is the same: the peace of
knowing the will of God for you and the inner strength to take
another step to make it real. In these pages you can explore the
main steps in this process.
A
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS TO PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE
0 most high and glorious God; You called Saint Francis
of Assisi to follow your Son Jesus in the spirit of
gospel poverty, humility and charity. You inspired
others to follow Francis by the power of his example.
Through the intercession of Saints Francis and Clare,
grant that there will be an increase in vocations in the
church. Most especially we pray that those you call to
follow in the footsteps of Francis will generously
respond to that invitation as Capuchin in the example of
Francis and Clare; we ask this in the name of Jesus and
Mary. Amen
to this very day, men are
listening to God’s call to follow Christ as Capuchin
friars. In
the spirit of St. Francis, Capuchins are loyal sons of the
Church and enthusiastic witnesses to God’s gracious generosity.