While not a traditional Capuchin ministry, the shortage of diocesan priests has impelled the Capuchins during their history to take on the role of parish work. Whenever possible, the friars request to work in poor parishes and in poor neighborhoods, usually among immigrant and minority populations. The Capuchins put their Gospel brotherhood at the service of the people of God, celebrating the Mass in various languages, spending long hours in confession and providing outreach programs to the poor and those in need.

The parish, run by a Capuchin religious community, strives to be a center of Franciscan spirituality, leading people closer to Jesus Christ through the fraternal Gospel witness, building that true civilization of love that Jesus prayed for at the Last Supper and enflaming the laity to take up the call of the New Evangelization in a world that is increasingly hostile and secular. As our Capuchin Constitutions put it:

"In order to stay faithful to our vocation when assuming this ministry, we ordinarily prefer parishes where we can more easily give witness to minority and live and work in brotherhood. In this way the People of God can appropriately share in our charism."

In Denver, the Capuchins serve at Annunciation Parish, one of the city’s poorer parishes and made up primarily of Hispanic immigrants from Mexico. The Capuchins also serve at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Colorado Springs. Like Annunciation, this is one of the city’s poorest parishes and made up of Hispanic immigrants from Mexico. The Capuchins also serve at St. John’s Parish in Lawrence, KS and St. Fidelis Parish in Victoria, KS. In San Antonio, they serve at Our Lady of the Angels Parish. For more information, visit the parish websites by clicking one of the images below.