Capuchin Franciscans

The Stages of Formation

Residential Candidacy

The Residential Candidacy program is presently situated at St. Francis Friary in Wilmington, DE. This program is designed for candidates who feel they might have a calling to Capuchin life but are still not ready to apply to the Postulancy Program. The reasons may include a need to pay off debts, a desire to complete studies, or a desire for further discernment and guidance regarding a candidate’s vocation. During this time the residential candidate may live in the friary and participate as much as he is able in the life of the friars while also accomplishing the purpose for which he came. There are many opportunities for work and continued education near the friary in Wilmington, DE. 

 

Postulancy

“The postulancy is the first period of initiation when one makes the choice to adopt our life. During this period, the postulant comes to know our life and makes a further and more careful discernment of this vocation.” (Capuchin Constitutions, Chapter II, art. IV.30)

This is usually a period of one year in which the Postulant lives with the friars, participating in our life of prayer, fraternity, and ministry. Internal classes during the week help to nurture his spiritual life, his knowledge of the faith, and his acquaintance with the Capuchin charism and way of life. When a candidate applies to the Postulancy program, he is not yet making a lifelong commitment. The purpose of Postulancy is to help the postulant and the formation team discern if the Lord is calling him to live Capuchin life. Our Postulancy Program is run in collaboration with three other provinces in Milwaukee, WI.

 

Novitiate

“The novitiate is a period of more intense initiation and more profound experience of the Capuchin Franciscan gospel life in its fundamental demands. It requires a free and mature decision to try out our form of religious life.” (Capuchin Constitutions, Chapter II, art. IV.31)

The Novitiate is part of a collaboration between all the Provinces of the North America and Pacific Capuchin Conference. This includes: the United States, Australia, Canada, and Guam. Currently, the Novitiate is situated at San Lorenzo Friary in Santa Ynez, CA.
This is the year when the postulant receives the novice's habit ('clothes of probation') and the title "Brother." Even though he does not take the religious vows he is expected to begin to live the vowed life. There are continuing classes on religious subjects and Capuchin life, with limited external ministry and ongoing spiritual direction and supervision. Much time is allowed for prayer and meditation.

A Day in the Life of the Novices

Post-Novitiate

“The post-novitiate, which begins with temporary profession and concludes with perpetual profession, is the third state of initiation. During this period the brothers progress further in maturity and prepare themselves to make a definitive choice of the gospel life in our Order.”
(Capuchin Constitutions, Chapter II, art. IV.32)

At the end of the Novitiate year, believing that God has called the novice to be a Capuchin Franciscan Friar and accepted by the Provincial Minister, he returns to his Province and professes temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. During the first two years of this time of formation, the temporary professed friars of our province live together (currently at Our Lady of the Angels Friary in Atlanta, Georgia). They participate in the regular life of a Capuchin friar seeking to deepen their vocation to this way of life through a communal prayer life, internal classes, and an active life of fraternal and external ministries. During the third year of temporary profession, a friar is assigned to a different friary in the province where he fully lives his Capuchin vocation and discerns a lifelong commitment to the Capuchin way of life.

 

Specialized Studies and On-Going Formation

Friars may engage in studies after the time of initial formation to assist in their fraternal and ministerial lives. Most commonly, friars who will be ordained study at a seminary, determined by the Provincial Council in consultation with the Formation Council. Friars may also engage in other studies, “some may learn skills and technical trades, while others engage in pastoral or technical studies, especially those of a sacred character.” (Capuchin Constitutions, Chapter II, art. VI.37)
 

Throughout the entire experience of initial and on-going formation, the primary concern is assisting a candidate or friar to grow in holiness.