Capuchin monks: a bit of history and interesting facts

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

You can read a lot about the Capuchin monks in historical novels, see in the chronicles of different years. The ministers of the Ordo Fratrum Minorum Capuccinorum are active to this day. Unfortunately, we don't know much about them, but we should.

When wondering who the Capuchin monks are, it is worth turning to the origins of the Franciscan order.

Questions of occurrence

The fact is that after the reform of the Franciscan order in 1517, there was a division into observants and conventuals. The Capuchins (Order of Friars Minor) were officially recognized on June 3, 1528 by Pope Clement VII. The founder of the order is the wandering Franciscan monk Matteo da Bascio (otherwise he was called Matthew Bassi), who earned the trust and favor of the Pope with his rather strict rules and religious zeal. He preached hermitism and the beggarly existence of monks.

The date of foundation of the order of the Capuchin monks, as a religious (Catholic) community, is considered 1529. Not everything went well right away.

Capuchins, the monks of the order, have long been limited in their educational activities. They can'twas to leave the territory of Italy until 1574. Nevertheless, the community grew and rebuilt the internal structure. First of all, an education system was created where future missionaries were trained.

By the end of the 18th century, the number of monks of the Capuchin order reached 35 thousand people, they spread throughout Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia.

The modern order has 11,500 communities (monasteries and parishes, missions) and more than 75 thousand members

Since 2004, the Mission of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin has also been located in Russia.

A little about fashion and style

Capuchin - literally from Latin means "sharp hood". Indeed, the clothes of the Capuchin monks were established in the form of a brown cassock with a pointed hood.

Girding was allowed with a rope belt with a knot, which was a symbol of the strength of monastic vows.

And simple sandals were worn on bare feet. Given the fact that the roads in those days were not much different from impenetrable forest thickets, this is a real example of the pacification of the flesh.

Although according to private historians, not all monks and nuns of the order were so ascetic.

Charter

The first charter of the holy brotherhood was approved under the vaults of the monastery of St. Euphemia in Rome in 1536.

The charter of the order of the Capuchin monks is quite strict. They subjected themselves to regular and cruel corporal punishment, had the right to move only on foot, were required to lead an active social life, constantly helping and preaching,instructing parishioners or random fellow travelers on the true path.

The text of the Charter itself has changed many times over the centuries. It underwent transformations, as the order was essentially alive and its ministers actively participated in the social life of society.

Revolutions, wars, the development of scientific and technical thought - all together this influenced the changes in the main order constitutional document. The last changes to the Charter were made in 1990.

Missionary activity

Capuchins are a monastic order. Its ministers themselves saw the ultimate goal of the activity in achieving the complete triumph of Catholicism.

It is among the zealous reformers, preachers and missionaries that the largest number of Capuchin monks is. The monks of the order were the first to bring Christianity to the countries of America, Africa and Asia.

These communities still exist all over the world - in America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Russia. Their goal is to help people and turn them to the path of serving the Lord.

Capuchins

At the beginning of the 16th century, Maria Lourenza Longo arrived in Naples from Spain, who was carried away by the piety, modesty and outcasting of the representatives of the Capuchin order. And she founded the Capuchin women's community, which was based on service to the Lord, humility, repentance, social service, hard work.

The female branch was divided into five most significant areas, where the difference is in the form and activity of serving the secular society:

1. Clarissa-capuchin.
2. Terzians.
3. Terzians of the Holy Family.
4. The Capuchin sisters of Mother Rubatto.
5. Missionaries of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The Capuchin Women's Monastic Congregation still exists, providing social assistance to the suffering and those in need of shelter in various parts of the world.

Interesting facts

Fact 1. The most popular legend about the origin of the popular cappuccino coffee is the one that tells about the cute tricks of the Capuchin monks.

The fact is that coffee was originally considered a devilish drink and was banned for clergy of all ranks. But based on the fact that milk is able to "purify", they began to add it to the drink. Then some technological improvements were made, and the foam from the cream, which was whipped after heating, was already poured into the coffee. So the foam stays on the surface longer, and we got a cappuccino in its almost modern form.

Fact 2. One of the first Capuchin monasteries was erected on the island of Sicily in Palermo. At that time, everything was built with the money of the parishioners, with donations from the townspeople. The monastery was built in 1525. Throughout its existence, it has become a crypt for the worthy and eminent. At first it was the monks and the higher clergy, then they began to give permission for the burial of eminent citizens, glorious artisans and everyone who glorified Sicily and Palermo.

All the remains have long been transferred tospecially constructed catacombs, where biomaterial is surprisingly well preserved. The last burial here was in 1920, since there are no more places to place mummies, and it is precisely the mummified remains that are kept here.

But crowds of tourists come here. The Capuchin catacombs are now the most popular place in Palermo. The cost of the tour is only a couple of euros. You can purchase or take a memorable photo of a Capuchin monk. These small incomes support the monastic life.

But since the monastery is active, the thoughts of the monks are mainly occupied with how to protect perishable bodies from the curiosity of the laity.

A similar but smaller burial of Capuchin monks and priests of the Order exists in Austria in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna.