Between April and May 2025, we commemorate half a millennium, 500 years, since a Franciscan Observant friar, Matteo da Bascio, felt God's call in his heart to return to the way of life that he perceived was intended by Francis of Assisi for his brothers. In the spring (April-May) of 1525, Matteo, wearing a simpler habit and a pointed hood, barefoot and carrying a cross, began his journey as an itinerant preacher. Although at first his desire for a more austere life was not well received, he obtained the verbal approval of Medici Pope Clement VII, who allowed him to live according to this ideal. What was born in the silence and humility of a single friar soon became a legitimized reform that revitalized the Franciscan spirit in Italy and would, ultimately, spread throughout the world.
We'll let Cuthbert Hesse of Brighton's narration mark the occasion (The Capuchins, vol. I, p. 21):
Matteo was one day talking with an old friar about the Rule and how it was observed in the days of St. Francis, when the old friar told him that even the habit he wore was not as the habit worn by the Saint and his first followers. The primitive habit, he was told, was of coarser texture than that now in use: moreover, it was shaped differently, the hood being four-cornered, not round, and sewn to the gown. Matteo was now in that state of mind which pleads for some outward witness of an inward loyalty.He therefore sought out a coarse gown and made himself a hood of the shape described and sewed it to the gown: and this he put on in place of the habit he had hitherto worn, in spite of the criticism and protests of the other members of the community. He had no wish to offend them, but he must be loyal to the voice which had called to him. Quickly he perceived that he must choose between the community and the duty which his conscience and the voice had made so clear.
2025-2028 marks our three year commemoration of Capuchin roots. Under the leadership of our General and Provincial leaders, the celebration begins!
Those early Capuchin lithographs are amazing.
Below, we've highlighted the "action" scenes from that lithograph reproduced above.
The artist always placied important events in the background,
illustrating here the preaching mission of our brother Matteo and his central preaching
of our salvation in the Lord Jesus' death and resurrection.
