- Br. Peter Mary Banks OFM Cap.Vocations Director
- Br. Victor Taglianetti OFM CapAssistant Vocation Director
Is God Calling You?
Answer by Living a Radical Way of Life
Saint Francis, a true disciple of Christ, taught His brothers to walk joyfully in the footprints of Christ poor, humble and crucified, so that through Him, in the Holy Spirit, they might be led to the Father
Capuchin Constitutions
Ordo Fratrum Minorum Capuccinorum
St. Francis called us to be called frateres – a word which means brother. Our commitment to our Capuchin life calls us live this brotherhood – a true fraternity united by God’s grace. We live an inspired brotherhood not just within our Capuchin fraternities but also in our way of sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with people everywhere. Following the example of Christ, our Evangelical brotherhood expresses itself in our availability to all who are in need, regardless of cost to oneself. This deep sense of fraternity underlies our religious life. One of the hallmarks of the Capuchin vocation is that he is always part of a community of brothers. All activities, whether in prayer or work, are rooted in the desire to be a brother to all like Christ and Saint Francis.
Called to be with the least of society – our minority is rooted in Christ’s poverty (Phil 2:6) seen in his complete emptying Himself for our sake especially on the Cross. This sense of minority or self-emptying calls us to live a life of austerity, to a preference for ministering to the poor and marginalized, and to commit ourselves to living the Gospel life according to the examples of St. Francis. Following the example of Saint Francis, we as Capuchin Friars Minor, are called to serve and not to be served.
The Capuchin Franciscan charism given by the Holy Spirit to the Church recaptures the contemplative life of Saint Francis in which, mirroring the life of Jesus, he spent many moments amone in silent prayer. Our life is sustained and grows by means of our time tested tradition of marrying Contemplative Prayer and Apostolic Works after the example of Saint Francis. Our Franciscan contemplative prayer feeds our apostolic works and our apostolic works in turn feed our Franciscan contemplative prayer.
Vocation Staff
Vocation Office
P.O. Box 618
Solvang, CA 93464-0618
(805) 686-4127
Vocation Retreat Weekends
Do you feel called to be a friar? Come and experience a weekend with the friars, as they pray, serve the poor and live in brotherhood.
March 5th – 7th
National Shrine of St. Francis
610 Vallejo Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
This retreat is for candidates and aspirants who have already joined our previous come and see. We build on the previous retreat and focus deeper into the Capuchin identity and charisms.
Feb 26th – 28th
National Shrine of St. Francis
610 Vallejo Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
As Capuchins, we encourage men, seeking in earnest discernment, to experience our way of life thru one of our Come and See events.
We found that these men are ready to attend:
If you are considering a Religious life in the Capuchin Franciscan Order, we welcome you to fill out this form:
Announcements
Vocational Information
The Call
God has called you. Do not be afraid. Just like Jeremiah we often feel unsure on why we are called. We find ourselves giving many reasons not to answer. Yet we all experience a yearning to trust, that is burning within our soul. You are not alone. We, your brothers are here to walk this journey with you. The first step of this trust is simply to say “Here I am Lord”.
The Journey
“With the greatest freedom, each one must respond lovingly to this call, rooted in Baptism, so that the dignity of the human person may be in harmony with the will of God”
– Capuchin Constitution, Ch II, Article I The Vocation of Our Life
Vocation Stories
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