Fifth Centenary of the Capuchin Reform 1528-2028

Called to Illuminate the Mind and Inflame the Heart of Our Charism

Dear Brothers,

Pace e bene!

We are approaching the 500th anniversary of the Capuchin Reform. We want this anniversary to be a propitious occasion of spiritual renewal and personal and communal growth according to the values and charism of our Order, not just an elaborate celebration to be lived on a specific day. To this end, we propose a path of preparation aimed at involving all our friars scattered around the world so that, together as a universal fraternity, we can make this time a time of grace, a great impetus for a new beginning. To begin again does not mean to abandon the past, to break with history, but to continue the journey with renewed fervor and the desire to continue witnessing to the world the beauty of our charism.

During the last meeting of our General Council held in Rome from June 16-27, among the topics discussed was our approval of the agenda for the Lay Brothers’ Meeting to be held in Rome from November 3-10, 2025. The preparatory committee for the IX PCO, to be held in Rome from October 10-31, 2026, was also appointed. We also approved the Project for the 500th Anniversary of the Capuchin Reform. This includes a series of events and programs at the level of the Order, and I present it to you as a guide in preparing for our Order’s great anniversary. This series of events seeks to integrate the various meetings and activities based on a central theme: the living of our charism. In fact, the central theme of the project is this: mentem illuminare et cor inflammare.

It is true that in recent years we have celebrated Franciscan centenaries and still await the one in 2026. Many activities are underway, both at the international level of the Franciscan Family and at the level of the conferences and individual circumscriptions of our Order. We desire that the Project for the 500th anniversary of the Capuchin Reformbe an instrument of animation for our Order, involving all our brothers, but also, according to possibilities and feasibility, the Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters and the various institutes affiliated with our Order, the SFO and YouFra.