The Capuchins circle the globe with approximately 11,000 friars, who serve our Lord and the Church in a variety of ministries: preaching God’s Word, comforting and supporting the sick in hospitals, nursing homes, directing retreats and servinging in parishes. Friars also minister in soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters for the homeless, poor and needy, minister to migrants and their families, and serve as missionaries in foreign lands. 

Our strength is derived from our rich heritage of contemplative prayer. We are an evangelical fraternity, we pray in common, we share meals and time together, helping one another to grow, as in a family. Our communities, which we call fraternities, are places of joy and hospitality. Our inspiration comes from the life of Christ, Sacred Scripture, and the example and writings of St. Francis of Assisi in living a simple and humble life.

Capuchin Franciscans wear the traditional habit of St. Francis of Assisi: sandals on our feet, ropes at our waists and rosary beads at our sides, as an outward sign of belonging to a Franciscan brotherhood. However, it is living habits of service to God and others that are at the heart of our Capuchin lives and communities.

The Capuchin charisms are:

• Contemplation: We commit ourselves to quiet contemplation every day.
• Fraternity: We are brothers.
• Minority: We choose to live and work among the poor and marginalized.
• Ministry: We serve those in most need, rooting our work in Minority and Contemplation.
• Justice-Peace-Ecology: We seek the common good of all humanity and God’s Earth.

In North America, the Capuchin Franciscans are organized into provinces. We cover the New Jersey/Southeast region. See the map below: