Capuchins are men of varied talents and interests, bound together by the common call to express the Gospel in all its richness. We try to live the life of Jesus after the manner of Saint Francis of Assisi, our founder, who wished us to be called the order of 'friars minor' - that is, 'lesser brothers.' As such we desire the poor and humble Jesus Christ who is brother to all.  Indeed, the underlying spirit that gives reality to our brotherhood is none other than the Lord Himself.  He takes men, old and young, rural and urban, thinkers and workers, artists and mechanics, labourers and preachers, of every language and culture, and brings them together.   He pours into their hearts that spirit that filled Francis and his early brotherhood.

Brothers to each other...

And wherever any of the friars may be and shall meet other friars, let them all treat each other as members of one family, and confidently make known their needs', for if a mother loves and cherishes her son according to the flesh, how much more diligently ought everyone to cherish and love him who is his brother according to the spirit. - St. Francis of Assisi.

Brothers to all creation

 "Praised be You, my Lord,with all your creatures,especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom You give us light". (St. Francis of Assisi).

Francis was deeply aware of the beauty of the world about him. His profound respect for nature came from an intuition of God's creative love which he experienced as manifest in the wonder of creation.  We are privileged to inherit this spirit of brotherhood to all of creation and strive to keep it alive to-day in our actions and attitudes with regard to contemporary ecological issues.

The First Brothers

"People saw how the brothers rejoiced in the midst of trials and tribulation, how zealous they were in prayer, and how they did not accept money like other people, nor keep it when it was given them;  and how they really loved one another.  Seeing all this they became convinced that the brothers were true disciples of Jesus Christ; and with remorse in their hearts they came to ask the brothers pardon for having previously injured and insulted them. The brothers forgave them gladly saying: 'The Lord forgive you,' and gently admonished them concerning their salvation.. . . .When they were all together, joy filled their hearts, and they no longer remembered past injuries.

They were constant in prayer and in working with their hands; this they did in order to banish idleness, the enemy of the soul.  They rose at midnight and prayed with many sighs;  and each deeply loved the other and cared for him as a mother cares for a cherished only child.  Charity burned so ardently in their hearts that it was easy to risk life itself, not only for love of Jesus Christ, but also for the soul and body of any one of the brothers." [L3C.41.]

If you would like more information on the Capuchin way of life, please contact our Vocations Director:

Fr. Sean Donohoe OFM Cap.
Capuchin Friary,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.

Tel. 01-8313886