500 years after its birth, the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor has begun preparing to celebrate a special anniversary: the 500th Anniversary of the Capuchin Reform, to be held in 2028. The objective is not only to commemorate a historical event, but to set out on a profound path of spiritual and charismatic renewal, as the General Minister and his Council emphasised in the recent letter and material launching the Project. The chosen motto “Mentem illuminare et cor inflammare” (Illuminate the Mind and Inflame the Heart) announces the objective of this journey: to rediscover and revitalise the charismatic identity of the Order from its birth until now.
The project, or journey, which has begun, will continue until 2028 and intends to engage the entire Order worldwide. It is not a closed programme, but a path that invites every brother, every fraternity and every Circumscription to actively participate in a process of reflection, rediscovery and growth. The Capuchin Poor Clares, the OFS, YouFra and the Institutes aggregated to our Order can also be involved in this journey, and in the initiatives that will be planned.
The path of preparation is based on three pivotal points, designed for a “reflective, participatory and purposeful” reading of the Capuchin charism. These “pillars” are: verifying the way of living the charism in order to know the characteristics of our identity and to stimulate a sincere evaluation of the present state of the Order; the actualization of the charismatic identity that impels us to a dynamic process on how we can make our identity visible and credible in today’s world; the strengthening of formation to ensure that fidelity to tradition is interwoven with the need to respond to the challenges of the present, ensuring that formation programmes prepare the brothers to incarnate our charism today.
To support this journey, a historical/charismatic study aid, that traces the origins of the Capuchin Reform, is made available. This material elaborates themes such as penance, silence, prayer, minority, fraternity and manual work, as well as explores the ministry of mercy and evangelical preaching.
In view of the 5th Centenary the Conferences are requested to participate directly in this initiative by producing thematic articles and videos, thus showcasing to the entire Order the fruits of this journey of preparation for the 500th anniversary and the history lived by the brothers in the various geographical areas. With this journey, we Capuchin Friars Minor are inserted in a new time of grace, remembering and celebrating the past and looking to the future with renewed fervour and hope.