For the 2nd Capuchin Missions Day in 2026, fraternities and the faithful around the world are invited to set aside time for prayer, reflection, and solidarity in support of evangelization.
In 2026, the Franciscan Holy Year marking the 800th anniversary of the Poverello’s passing, the Capuchin Friars Minor—currently present in 114 countries—will celebrate their evangelizing and missionary vocation with the 2ndCapuchin Missions Day.
The initiative, sponsored by the administration of the Order, is intended to be a time of prayer, reflection, and solidarity in support of the countless pastoral works and missions around the world.
All fraternities, together with the laity, are invited to choose a Sunday or a weekend—particularly in October, which is traditionally dedicated to the missions, or on another date deemed appropriate—to organize fraternal gatherings and solidarity initiatives.
Theme: “St. Francis Renewed the Missionary Spirit”
For this second event, the theme is drawn from the Capuchin Constitutions: “St. Francis renewed the missionary spirit” (Const. 175:3). On the eighth centenary of his blessed passing, the friars wish to rediscover the relevance today of what many call the “Franciscan missionary charter,” contained in Chapter XVI of the Earlier Rule.
The reflection proposed for this event highlights three major insights of St. Francis that anticipated contemporary missionary theology by centuries:
– “Divine Inspiration”: The mission arises from God’s initiative, which inspires the desire to set out and put oneself on the line. It is not a matter of mere obedience nor a purely human task, but a response of love that requires a passion for learning new languages, getting to know new cultures, and being reborn.
– The “Inter Gentes” attitude: Moving beyond the logic of opposition or paternalism, Francis taught his friars the importance of simply being among people, unarmed (“like sheep among wolves”), offering a presence marked by fraternity, minority, and peaceful dialogue.
– Seeking the “Seeds of the Word”: Looking upon humanity with the characteristic kindness of the Poverello, the missionary does not begin by focusing on the faults or mistakes of others in order to correct them but rather recognizes and values the good that God has already sown in every person, people, and culture.
Liturgical materials and solidarity initiatives
To facilitate the celebration in fraternities, friary chapels, and Capuchin parishes, the General Secretariat for Evangelization, Animation, and Missionary Cooperation has prepared some liturgical and pastoral resources:
– Guidelines for fraternal dialogue focused on the missionary spirit.
– Liturgical text for the Holy Mass, including introductions, prayers of the faithful, and exhortations.
– Practical suggestions for living in solidarity with the Capuchin missions around the world.
All of these resources are available in Italian, Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, Polish, and Indonesian.
Invitation to Share
The General Secretariat also encourages all fraternities to document and share the initiatives they have carried out by sending photographs, short stories, and suggestions to the following email address: [email protected]
You can also enhance your gatherings with images and videos by visiting the “Evangelizatio et Missio – Ofmcap” Facebook and YouTube channels run by the same Secretariat.
As we journey toward the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of the Capuchin reform, the 2nd Capuchin Missions Day promises to be a pivotal milestone so that the Lord—through the intercession of St. Francis—may “enlighten our minds and set our hearts ablaze” with a renewed missionary zeal.
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