St. Francis of Assisi was a man who lived with and among the poor, serving the outcasts of his time: the leper, the beggar, those forgotten and rejected by society. During the early days of the Capuchin Reform, when the Black Plague decimated the population of Europe many priests and religious fled for safety. The Capuchins stayed with the people and worked among the sick and dying. As a result, nearly 2,000 Capuchins succumbed to the disease, giving their lives as "Martyrs of Charity." This firm resolution to be with the people in the midst of their sufferings, led Pope Pius XI to say of the Capuchins:

“When times were at their worst and help was sorely needed, in places that were abandoned and where no one else would go, there you will find the Capuchin.”

Today, Capuchins continue to live and work among the poor and marginalized. They serve in prisons, soup kitchens, shelters for the homeless and in a variety of other ministries. Below you will find information on some of the various ministries in the Capuchin Province of St. Conrad.