The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is moving forward and is currently engaged in an intensive process of preparation for the now imminent Ninth Plenary Council of the Order (PCO IX), to be held in Rome at the Collegio San Lorenzo da Brindisi from October 11 to 31, 2026, under the title: “The Missionary Dimension of Our Charism in the Church and in Today’s World”

The Plenary Councils of the Order

The Capuchin Order has already had eight PCO gatherings, which have analyzed the challenges and fundamental themes of our life and charism, such as fraternity, poverty, formation, minority, work, etc. The purpose of these intensive, general-interest events is to explore in depth the specific aspects of our evangelical identity, thereby preparing reflections aimed at our spiritual and practical renewal.

Our event was conceived and structured based on the guidance from the most recent General Chapter in 2024, which called for organizing an event involving all the friars of the Order to reflect together on mission, fraternal collaboration, and the Fraternities of St. Lawrence. These are three interconnected topics, although they are not of equal importance, since the last one—the Fraternities of St. Lawrence—is a specific attempt to put the other two into practice, without claiming to be the only way to do so.

Preparations, which officially began in June 2025 with the appointment of a preparatory committee, are proceeding at a brisk pace thanks to the various offices of the General Curia and the translators—and, of course, they directly involve those who must travel to Rome, where the PCO will be held. The meeting will bring together experts from various levels of the Church and 30 delegates chosen by the Order’s nine conferences, who will serve as global representatives, in addition to the entire General Council and the various officials necessary for the conduct of the assembly.

This special assembly, which is both a means of consultation and discernment, is part of our journey toward a milestone that is extremely significant for us all: the 500th anniversary of our charism, which we will celebrate in 2028.

Join Us Online!

Given the nature of the topics, which touch on aspects of our Capuchin life, all the friars throughout the world should be involved and are called to reflect. The PCO is not just for the delegates present in Rome; rather, it is a moment of grace for the entire worldwide fraternity. For this reason, and to allow all friars of the Order to follow the PCO, a live stream will be available during the first week (October 13–17), when the main presentations and testimonies from friars in “Mission,” “Collaboration,” and the “St. Lawrence Fraternities” will be shared. The sessions will take place via the Zoom platform; therefore, registration is required for friars interested in following the PCO proceedings. On the eve of the PCO, we will provide precise details regarding the schedule for the sessions.

In addition, as you have already seen, our website features a specific section dedicated to the PCO, which will be continuously updated throughout this period to provide updates on the progress of the work and highlight the most significant developments (www.ofmcap.org).

To sign up to participate in the live streams, click the link below:

https://form.jotform.com/262722819592062 

The post PCO IX: We Invite All Friars to Participate Online! appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.

To All the Capuchin Sisters

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May the Lord give you peace!

The Feast of our Father Saint Francis is approaching—a day that marks the 800th anniversary of his death. On this important occasion, I would like to share a few words with you, along with my regards and my best wishes.

The last few years have been exceptional, marked by the celebration of various Franciscan anniversaries, beginning in Greccio, continuing through La Verna, and culminating in the death of Our Seraphic Father at the Portiuncula. The entire Franciscan Family has been actively involved, year after year, in seeking to honor these occasions and to vigorously reaffirm the great truths upon which Francis’s life was built, values that are crucial today for making each of our lives more authentic, free, and evangelically beautiful.

More important than the general activities—and probably even more effective—was the launch of initiatives that arose at the level of conferences, circumscriptions, and local communities: there were countless and incredibly diverse initiatives, too many to recall, a sign of truly meaningful involvement and participation. The fruit—within each of us, in the life of our fraternities, and in the lives of the people with whom we share our life’s journey—will remain largely a mystery, just as the action of God and His Spirit among us is a mystery, but we believe they are no less real.

The journey we have taken leads us to reaffirm some simple, fundamental truths that will determine the quality of the path that lies ahead. On his deathbed, Francis composed the “Canticle,” which we all know well and which has been extensively studied and explored over the course of the year that is now coming to a close.

Why is it, Francis, that as the culmination of his life, he expresses himself with those magnificent words of praise, which he seems unable to hold back in any way? I like to think that Francis is now able to see clearly and lucidly just how much the Lord God has been by his side, step by step, on his unique and at times arduous life’s journey; how everything has been freely given to him from on high; how divinely generous the Lord God is toward His creatures; and how one can savor the sweetness of His friendly, encouraging, caring, consoling presence—a presence that brings life and salvation. His praise could not help but burst forth!

In the future that lies ahead, why not begin anew by recognizing the countless blessings the Lord has in store for each of us? It seems absolutely crucial to learn to see how we are both the object and the recipient of God’s completely gratuitous goodness! The more we learn to recognize its greatness, the more substance our lives will gain, and the better we will be able to face challenges, hardships, disappointments, and failures. Our resolve to respond to the Lord with renewed generosity will also grow, in the certainty that, in God’s plan for each of us and for our institutions, everything is providential grace, and the future opens up to courageous determination for the good and to certain hope.

Francis knows God’s blessings so well that he learns to see even that terrifying and final moment of death as a sister. Recognizing God’s inexhaustible providence powerfully directs us toward the dimension that lies beyond death, opening us to transcendence. We, too, while we commit ourselves wholeheartedly to living well here on earth, have a genuine need to orient ourselves more toward the eternal dimension that has been promised to us. And today’s people, especially the sad and disheartened people of the Western world, have an extreme need for this.

There are still other important events that we will be experiencing in the near future; I would like to highlight some of the most significant ones: the Order’s Plenary Council on mission, the Pan-American and Pan-African meetings, and the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the approval of our Reform. These are not, and cannot, remain merely moments of reflection, study, or gathering. They must become further opportunities for us to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for the good He continues to bestow upon humanity, upon all people, upon each one of us, and upon our Order. They must become opportunities—to use the now-familiar expression—to fan the flame of our charism, a flame that will continue to shine in our lives and in our fraternities if we learn to live in gratitude for God’s gifts, while at the same time lifting our gaze toward the life that awaits us, opportunities for inner peace and inexhaustible strength to walk according to His most holy will.

So, my warmest regards and best wishes to all of you: through the intercession of Saint Francis, may each of you be firmly strengthened in your understanding of divine benevolence and, as you fervently await what the Lord has in store for us today and in the future, may you remain rooted in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that you may enjoy a life that is always filled with hope and happiness.

Fr. Roberto Genuin

Ministro Generale OFMCap

The post Letter from the Minister General: On the Occasion of the 800th Anniversary of the “Transitus” of St. Francis appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.

CU: fr. Michael Baptist Fernandes

1C: fr. Chito Bunda Bartolo

2C: fr. Carmel Paulraj

3C: fr. Maged Moussa

4C: fr. Leny Escalada

Il mandato inizia il 1° ottobre 2026

The post Custodia generale dell’Arabia- Nomina appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.

Preparations for the Third Pan-American Meeting (EPAN), which will be held in Mexico City from May 23 to June 2, 2027, are now in full swing. As part of the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of the Capuchin Reform, this comprehensive journey officially began on May 11, 2026, bringing together the entire American continent under the motto “Memory, Identity, and Prophecy.”

The General Minister, Br. Roberto Genuin, also took part in the opening ceremony, emphasizing that this process perfectly embodies synodality as lived out “in our own way, which is the way of brotherhood and sharing.”

The organization has structured a process that avoids ad-libbing, consisting of six online meetings guided by three key verbs: enlighten, raise awareness, and inspire. The goal is to foster active listening and communal discernment on five essential thematic areas, preparing not only the delegates but also engaging the full vibrancy of the local fraternities.

The Stages of the Journey: Origins, Mission, and Prayer

The second and third preparatory sessions addressed through dialogue some of the fundamental pillars of the Capuchin charism:

• Rediscovering Our Origins and Humility (Second Session): Facilitated by Andrew, this session featured Br. Benjamín OFMCap as the keynote speaker, who led a historical reflection on the evolution of Capuchin life. It became clear that the desire of the first friars was to conform themselves fully to Christ, using the rule of the Gospel as a daily “mirror.” In this vision, poverty is not merely a legal concept, but the preferred path toward conforming with humility. The golden rule of the Capuchin preacher was also reaffirmed: “to preach by one’s life” and with humility, so that actions never contradict words.
• The Primacy of Mental Prayer (Third Session): Held on September 14, 2026, under the guidance of Br. Javier Garza, the third meeting focused on prayer, with a presentation by Br. Bernardo Molina. Mental prayer was described as an essential condition for living the Gospel, supported by three interior movements: prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Contemplation was defined as an “inhabited silence” and an ability to create space to listen to God. The session emphasized the need to continue safeguarding the two hours of daily mental prayer prescribed by the Constitutions, maintaining this Christ-centered time as an absolute priority.

The process of discernment and sharing—which is essential for understanding which aspects of Capuchin life require renewal today in the context of the Americas—will continue in the coming months. The next virtual meeting is already scheduled for October 12, adding another step to this journey that will culminate, with renewed hope, in the major gathering in Mexico City.

The post Third Pan-American Meeting: The Capuchins on a Journey Through “Memory, Identity, and Prophecy” appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.

The resource we present here, Personality and Charism, stems from a reflection that emerged during the General Council’s assemblies; in fact, behind every conflict or scandal involving our religious family, there are individual brothers, each with his own personality. The reflections that follow are intended to remind us that every charism (and ours in particular), is understood as God’s action in a person’s life, and contains within itself the power necessary to transform that person’s life, as Francis attests in his Testament (cf. Test 1-2). For this to be possible, there is no doubt that the person’s complete commitment and a deep and vital relationship with the Most High are necessary.

We invite you to reflect on these considerations in silence, to ponder them personally and/or in community, allowing yourselves to be challenged by the Spirit of the Lord, who always urges us to change our lives. To the extent that each of us cherishes the charism we have received and allows ourselves to be transformed by the Lord, the flame of our charism will be rekindled throughout the Order.

The post Towards the V Centenary: published the third subsidy” appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.

                      From August 17 to 21, 2026, the Santíssima Trindade retreat house in Aracaju, in the state of Sergipe, hosted the second meeting of the National Secretariat for Evangelization, Animation, and Missionary Cooperation (SEACOM) of the Capuchin Conference of Brazil (CCB). This fraternal gathering was attended by 23 friars representing all ten provinces and two custodies in the country, along with the executive secretary of the CCB and the Order’s Secretary General for Evangelization and Missions. The meeting was enriched by occasions of remote fellowship, messages of solidarity, and letters of affection from the superiors of the conference and the General Curia.

Recalling the Past and Looking to the Future

                      The first few days were devoted to dialogue and an evaluation of the journey thus far. Beginning with a look back at the first historic gathering and analyzing the statutes approved in May 2026, the friars reflected on the identity and fundamental role of the local secretariats. The formation sessions helped the participants reexamine the missionary dynamic in light of our Constitutions, Capuchin Franciscan spirituality, and the Manual of the Capuchin Apostolate for the Americas. Particular emphasis was placed on preparations for the upcoming Ninth Plenary Council of the Order (PCO IX), scheduled to take place in Rome in October 2026.

Capuchin Missions Day and Solidarity

 Ample attention was given to the Capuchin Missions Day, which the Brazilian Conference celebrates every year on the first Sunday in July. By sharing best practices adopted in the various regions, the importance of encouraging all fraternities to live this event with enthusiasm and active participation was emphasized.

As a testament to the universal dimension of our charism, a proposal was made to be sent to the CCB Presidency that a portion of the nation-wide collection be allocated to the Order’s International Solidarity fund. The event was also placed within the context of the Franciscan Centenaries (the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis and the preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Capuchin Reform).

On Journey with the Divina Pastora (Divine Shepherdess)

                      A cumulative spiritual event in terms of fraternal fellowship occurred on Thursday, August 20^th: a pilgrimage to the State Shrine of Nossa Senhora Divina Pastora, patroness of the state of Sergipe. This devotion is historically linked to the Italian Capuchins who arrived in this region in 1782.

The friars walked through the city streets in a simple, down-to-earth manner and were warmly welcomed by the local people. During the solemn Eucharistic celebration at the shrine, the secretariats of the Brazilian circumscriptions were consecrated to the Divina Pastora, a figure who embodies the key values of our charism: fraternity, minority, contemplation in action, and pastoral collaboration. The day then concluded joyfully at the Capuchin friary in Aracaju, where we shared a meal with the local fraternity and the postulants.

Starting Over with Renewed Enthusiasm

                      During the closing sessions, conducted using the “Conversation in the Spirit” method, the assembly defined the priorities for action for the next two years and proceeded to renew the national coordinating team that will lead SEACOM in the coming years.

The meeting concluded with a deep sense of gratitude to the Lord for the days of grace and fellowship experienced, and with the hope that the work accomplished will continue to fervently fan the missionary flame in the heart of every friar.

The post Second Meeting of the Secretariats for Evangelization and Mission, Brazil appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.

From September 10^th to 13^th, 2026, the city of Assisi hosted a meeting of Capuchin bishops. The event was attended by fifty bishops from around the world—including North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania—along with the General Minister, the General Council, and various collaborators. This time of exceptional communion was blessed with the presence of three of our four Capuchin cardinals (Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungo, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, and Cardinal Celestino Aós Braco) and the two former general ministers, Br. Mauro Jöhri and Br. John Corriveau, now a bishop.

The Unveiling and Presentation of the Pectoral Cross

The gathering took place with a deep spirit of brotherhood, alternating between times of study, prayer, and sharing. It began on September 10^th at the Domus Laetitiae in Assisi with an opening address and greeting from the General Minister, who thanked those who had requested and promoted the gathering, as well as each bishop for his service to the Church. At the end of his address, each bishop was presented with a simple pectoral cross, rich in charismatic symbolism, enclosed in a pouch sewn by a group of Ukrainian mothers who had lost their children in the war. The involvement of these mothers was encouraged by the Capuchin friars in Ukraine. The first day concluded with vespers, led by Cardinal Ambongo Besungo in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, which began with a procession passing through the Portiuncula.

Ecclesiological Reflection and a Return to the Origins

September 11^th and 12^th were devoted to presenting the various diocesan contexts in which bishops serve the local churches, and to exploring several theological topics in depth. One such presentation was a talk by Prof. Dario Vitali, a professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University, who offered an ecclesiological reflection on the delicate balance between institution and charism found in religious who have become bishops, with specific reference to members of the Capuchin Order. The participants then attended to their spiritual lives by visiting churches, praying, and celebrating the Eucharist. One of these celebrations took place at the Shrine of the Renunciation, entrusted to us Capuchins, and a Mass presided over by Bishop Felice Accroca, Bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, in the crypt of the Basilica of St. Francis at the tomb of the Seraphic Father. At the Sacro Convento, Bishop Felice Accroca then shared his profound knowledge of Franciscanism through a learned and thought-provoking reflection.

The “Frontier Vocation” and the “Theology of Closeness”

The final day began with a Mass with Cardinal Sean O’Malley presiding. Br. Mauro Jöhri then delivered the closing address, focusing on the gift of the Capuchin bishop’s vocation—one that often calls him to serve in frontier regions and to go “where no one else wants to go.” Br. Mauro also invited everyone to look to the future, in anticipation of the upcoming 500th anniversary of the Capuchin reform, to bring the charism to an increasingly interconnected and globalized world.

The journey toward the 500th anniversary of the Capuchin reform has been recognized as a crucial opportunity to rediscover the roots of our charism. According to Archbishop Andrés Stanovnik, Archbishop Emeritus of Corrientes (Argentina), the fundamental value that unites the identity of the friar with that of the bishop is “closeness”: not merely a sociable attitude, but a genuine theological stance that embraces the concrete, wounded human person, following the example of St. Francis, who did not renew the Church through abstractions, but by embracing lepers and sitting side by side with the poor, always obeying the Holy Father.

This fourth meeting of Capuchin Bishops—a tradition officially begun in 2000 by the then General Minister, Br. John Corriveau—represents an important step on the journey toward the 500th anniversary of the reform. As Cardinal Sean O’Malley emphasized, returning to Assisi during the jubilee year of St. Francis was “a great honor” and a “wonderful opportunity to experience the fraternity of so many bishops from around the world.”

The post 2026 Meeting of Capuchin Bishops in Assisi appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.

MP: fr. James Peterson

VP: fr. Maurice Moreau

2C: fr. William Tarraza

3C: fr. James Donegan

4C: fr. Henry Richard Vas

Eletti: 19/05/2026

Luogo: Long Branch, New Jersey, USA

fr. Robert Williams, Consigliere Generale

The post Provincia di New York-New England, USA appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.

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 2^ndCapuchin 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: missionicap@gmail.com

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 2^nd 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.

Download the material in your language

The post Anticipating the 2nd Capuchin Missions Day: Renewing the Missionary Spirit appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.

 According to statistics from the 2026 Pontifical Yearbook regarding the presence of male religious orders, the Capuchins rank among the largest orders in the world in terms of membership. At the end of 2025, the Order had 9,544 members.

In fact, we, as the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, are present in a total of 113 countries where we live and do ministry. Even today, considering these figures, the Order is perceived as an institution of great importance at both the ecclesial and societal levels.

As part of our commitment to raising awareness of our work and presence as we approach the 500th anniversary of our reform, we have launched an initiative to make a dynamic tool available on our website: a map that allows users to interactively explore our locations and the regions of the world where we operate.

It is with great joy that we announce the launch of this new and important digital project this August: the Interactive Map of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. This tool was developed with the goal of providing everyone with a comprehensive, immediate, and up-to-date overview of our global presence.

Through a simple and intuitive web interface, the new map lets you take a virtual journey across the continents to explore our large family.

What does the new map allow you to do?

While navigating the platform, users can access detailed information broken down by each individual unit (Conference, Province, Custody, Delegation, and House of Presence). Specifically, the tool allows you to:

• Explore the Order’s global presence: A visual overview to identify the countries and regions where the Capuchin Friars live and work.
• View the Order’s statistics: By selecting a specific geographic area, you can see how many friars are in that particular circumscription.
• Learn about the Order’s configuration: The map also provides the exact number of active houses and friaries in each area.

More than just a technological update to our website, this interactive map is also a tool for building awareness and community. It helps us better understand the richness of our charism and makes us feel increasingly united as a worldwide fraternity, from the most distant missions to our long-established presences.

We invite you to explore our website and discover the scope of our mission around the world by clicking here: https://www.ofmcap.org/en/where-we-are/

The post Discovering the Order Around the World: The Capuchin Friars’ New Interactive Global Map Is Now Online appeared first on Frati Minori Cappuccini.