Vocations

From the time that Jesus called the first disciples, to the gathering of brothers around St. Francis of Assisi, to this very day, men are listening to God’s call to follow Christ as Capuchin friars. In the spirit of St. Francis, Capuchins are loyal sons of the Church and enthusiastic witnesses to God’s gracious generosity.

Capuchins are found on every continent but Antarctica, and they number nearly 12,000 world-wide, with the greatest growth in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Even in North America there is a resurgence of vocations to the Capuchin way of life.  In this Capuchin Province of St. Augustine there are nearly 40 men in various levels of formation.

God may indeed call men and women to perform specific works, but the Capuchin vocation is a call to a way of life for a lifetime. Of course, among the friars there is interest in a wide variety of ministries; but each of the friars is committed to prayer and a life of intimacy with the Lord; to being a witness to the goodness and mercy of our God; to living the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience; and devoted to the brotherhood of the friars, in union with the people among whom they live and serve.

It is a life of challenges and sacrifices; it is not easy, nor for the faint of heart. Every friar embraces the cross in his daily life, knowing even in small ways the sufferings that our Savior endured for us. Christ Crucified is at the center of the friar’s life.

Perhaps you are beginning to hear the gentle voice of God inviting you to closely follow His Son as a Capuchin friar. Maybe you know of a young man who is trying to understand that Voice and His invitation. Here is a great place to begin to more clearly hear the Master calling, “Come follow me!”