The Capuchin friars are a distinct order of monks, known for their pointed hoods and austere lifestyle. They focus on preaching and missionary work, and their monasteries can be found worldwide. The Santa Maria della Concezione in Rome is decorated with the bones of over 4,000 Capuchin monks, a practice also seen in other European churches. The Capuchins believe in living simply and relying on charity, and their numbers, like many other monastic orders, are declining.
The Capuchin friars are an order of monks originally considered a subset of the Franciscans. Today the Capuchins are recognized as their own distinct order, with a separate mission and way of life from those of the Franciscans. Capuchin monasteries are found in different regions of the world, although the number of Capuchin monks is declining, as are members of many other monastic orders. Capuchin nuns, incidentally, are known as Capuchins.
The origins of the Capuchin friars date back to the 1500s, when several members of the Franciscan order felt that the Franciscans had strayed from their original mission. They formed an offshoot that focused on living a very austere monastic life, which they felt was more true to the original intent of becoming a monk. Initially, the Capuchin monks were persecuted, but were eventually allowed to form their own order and charter.
These monks get their name from their distinctive pointed hoods; cappuccino means “pointy hat” in Italian. Capuchin friars believe in living as simply as possible. Neither monks nor monasteries are allowed to own property, and monks are expected to beg and rely on charity for all their needs, never keeping more than a few days’ worth of food at any given time. Capuchin monks focus heavily on preaching and missionary service, spreading the word of God as they travel.
One of the most notable achievements of the Capuchin brands is the Santa Maria della Concezione, the Capuchin church in Rome. The church is decorated with the bones of more than 4,000 Capuchin monks, arranged in ornate patterns that line the walls. Several skeletons have also been kept intact and clothed, and can be found in several niches around the church. Visitors to the church are often struck by the elaborate nature of the designs, as well as the slightly macabre atmosphere of the church.
While the idea of decorating a church with bones might seem a little strange, this practice has also been observed in other parts of the world. Several European churches are heavily adorned with the bones of deceased religious officials and community members, reflecting attitudes about the nature of death at the time the macabre decorations were installed. For Capuchins, a visit to the site is an opportunity to contemplate one’s remaining time on Earth and a chance to commit to further good works before one dies.
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