What attracted our novices to the Capuchin Life?
Our Capuchin novitiate community put together a video featuring the reflection of our novices about what attracted these men to our Capuchin Franciscan way of life. Have a look - you just might have a vocation too! Visit the webpage of our North American Capuchin Conference to find a vocation director near you who can help answer your questions and to discover the ways that the Lord is calling you to follow him.
Postulants Hit the Ground Walking
The Postulants are now a complete trio after the arrival of Federico ("Fico") Vizquez (right of Tom in the photo) in September, and the friary is complete with the return of our brother Reynaldo Frias Santana, OFM Cap. Our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., was there for Fico's reception on Wednesday, September 16, and his companions Pablo Lopez and Raf Altejar (left of Tom) were there to show him around in Philly(below).
Postulants Begin their Capuchin Journey
On July 16, 2020, our newest Postulants were received into the community at our Padre Pio Friary in Philadelphia, PA, where they will live and work together in this first year of formation in our Capuchin life and work. Our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., led the initiation and offered words of encouragement and challenge as these men embark on their journey to become Capuchin friars. The men who were completing their year of postulancy and heading for their novitiate year in Santa Ynez, CA, were also present "thanks" to the COVID-19 delay in beginning their year with other novices of the North American/Pacific Capuchin Conference.
"I vow to live the Gospel"
Our brothers Stephen Cantwell and Anthony Rivera (along side our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap.) have now, officially, added "OFM Cap." to their names. On Saturday, July 18th, the two men professed their vows to "follow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" in the footprints of St. Francis of Assisi. They spent the past year as "novices:" they received the habit and spent time in work, discernment, formation and prayer. Br. Steve and Br. Tony will now move on to our friary in Washington, DC, to join the other brothers in initial formation. Their "post-novitiate" is a time of more focused study while living in fraternity to prepare for ministry in the Church.
15 Men Get into the Capuchin Habit
Soon after the celebration of the Profession of vows of our men in Pittsburgh (see the article) on Saturday, July 18th, marking the end of their "novitiate year," a new "novitiate year began in Santa Ynez, CA, where the men of the North American & Pacific Conference gathered for their "Investiture:" the day they receive the habit of our brotherhood and begin their 12 months of prayer, work and discernment in comminuty.
Ryan Schmeltzer, Jack Lampton, Connor Bannon, Daniel Sullivan and Josean Castro-Arroyo were there from our Province of St. Augustine.
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