Building on this Franciscan tradition, the Capuchin Reform of 1528, emphasized prayer and contemplation, preaching, and physical care of the needy. The Capuchin Franciscans are a Roman Catholic order of brothers shaped by this heritage. Today, we preach, teach, cook, and counsel. We minister in hospitals, schools, soup kitchens and jails. We are pastors, artists, missionaries, mechanics, writers, and web page creators.
Capuchins freely choose celibacy to pursue religious life and ministry.
We live in community and derive our strength from our rich heritage of contemplative prayer, and those with whom we minister and work. Community prayer and Eucharist, and our living of the Good News of Jesus, allow us to express our love for God, our passion for justice and peace, and our faith in God's care for all creatures. The Province of St. Joseph is a group of 240 men who live and minister primarily in the Mid-Western United States of America, with missions in Nicaragua and Panama, Central America. Below is a map of our province, showing the different towns and cities where you can find us. The map of Central America, below, shows the cities where you can find us as well.