The spirituality of the Capuchin Franciscans

 Capuchin Franciscans have a unique spirituality rooted in the life of St. Francis and the inspiration of the Capuchin reform. The Franciscan brotherhood is the unifying factor of all the Orders of Friars Minor. The Capuchins, desiring to return to the original inspiration of St. Francis, stressed certain aspects that they viewed as central to an authentic living of this Gospel brotherhood. The Capuchin Constitutions define this unique identity as follows:

Let us strive to prioritize a life of prayer, especially contemplative prayer, to cultivate, together with a spirit of minority, radical poverty, both personal and communal; and, out of love of the Lord's cross, to manifest a life of austerity and joyful penance… While exercising among ourselves the freedom of brothers, let us joyfully live among the poor, the powerless, and the weak, share their lives, and maintain our special approach to people. In many ways, above all, in the work of evangelization, let us promote an apostolic dynamism carried out in a spirit of service—constitutions of the Capuchin Friars Minor. 

 Capuchin spirituality takes its most concrete expression in the life and witness of the Order's many canonized saints. Among these incredible men, several commonalities are clear: the Eucharist's centrality, fervent devotion to Our Lady and her Rosary, long hours in prayer, bodily mortification and an austere lifestyle, and a special affinity and closeness to the common people, especially the poor.

 There are many Saints and blessed in the Catholic Church who belongs to Capuchin   Family. From the 16th to the 20th century, 115 Capuchin friars and nuns have been honored by the Church as Saints and Blessed. The Capuchin Saints are St. Felix of Cantalice, St. Felix of Nicosia, St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, St. Bernard of Corleone, St. Conrad of Parzham, St. Crispen of Viterbo, St. Francis Mary of Camporossa, St. Ignatius of Laconi, St. Ignatius of Santhia, St. Joseph of Leonessa, St. Lawrence of Brindisi, St. Leopold Mandic, St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), St. Seraphim of Montegranaro, St. Veronica Giuliani. About the Saints of the Capuchins, once St. Pope John Paul II said, "They say you Capuchins are poor, but you are very, very rich. You have Saints."