INTRODUCTION

Long ago, in the thirteenth century, grand heroic men, athirst to lead the simple life in perfect harmony with the gospel, left home and possessions to live in poverty and simplicity. For safe guidance and better protection they flocked around St. Francis of Assisi, the great apostle of Christ Crucified. St. Francis wrote a rule for his community to show the way of the gospel life. In the course of years modifications crept in which lessened the rigor of observance. In the fourteenth century a number of zealous friars successfully sought to restore Observants while the older Community received the name of Conventuals. As time went on even the Observants began to modify some observances. On this account some of their more fervent brethren endeavored to return to the original strictness of St. Francis, adopting also what they considered the original habit. The friars of this reform are called Capuchins. At present, therefore, the first Order of St. Francis is divided into three branches: the Conventuals, the Observants, (commonly called Franciscans) and the Capuchins.

The Capuchins, accordingly, are sons of St. Francis. The purpose of this Order is to lead the Christian life according to the simplicity of the gospel, to lead others back to the Christian spirit, to inspire all sincere souls with greater love of God, and so spread the gospel of Christ among all nations by missionary endeavor.