The friars are called to preach the fullness of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ in both word and deed. Inspired and enriched by our great patrimony of Saintly Capuchin preachers, the friars dedicate themselves with great fervor to a variety of evangelical apostolates. Some expressions of our apostolate of evangelization are: missionary centers for the poor, street evangelization, parish missions, retreats, spiritual direction, and sacramental ministry.
As has been manifested in the lives of the Capuchin Saints such as St. Felix of Cantalice, St. Crispin of Viterbo, St. Lawrence of Brindisi, St. Padre Pio, and many others, effective evangelization takes many forms. Our evangelical efforts, especially our parish missions, are particularly focused on encouraging the faithful to grow in their devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament, the source and summit of our lives. Friar-priests also have a special zeal for ministering God's mercy and restoring souls to grace through their priestly ministry in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
“This is not time to be ashamed of the gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops.”
The friars are deeply dedicated to offering a public and prayerful witness to the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death which is an essential part of our work of evangelization and care of the poor. We recognize that those whose right to life is denied them, for whatever reason, are truly poor and most in need of Christian service and the saving power of the Gospel.
“Do not be afraid to go out into the streets and into public places, like the first Apostles who preached Christ and the good news of salvation in the city squares, towns, and villages. This is not time to be ashamed of the gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops. Do not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living, in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known in modern “metropolis.” It is you who must go out into the by-rounds and invite everyone you meet to the banquet which God has prepared for his people. The Gospel must not be kept hidden because of fear or indifference. It has to be put on a stand so that people may see its light and give praise to the Heavenly Father.”
— John Paul II, World Youth Day ’93