Discernment?

This will be the first post of hopefully a few over the next few days. I am currently in Denver Colorado hanging out with the Capuchins of the Mid-American Province.

My flight got into Denver around 7:30 am MDT (thats 8:30 Central haha) and I was picked up by Brother Joseph Patrick. We arrived at the Friary shortly thereafter and I began meeting people and didn't stop all day. I met Brandon and "Digger" who are just about to begin their novitiate year in California (I will explain what that means shortly!) I met several of the Capuchin Priests and Brothers throughout the day as well as one of the Poor Clares today (the Poor Clares are the Sisters who follow the Rule of St. Francis...they make some stellar cookies!). I went and visited the St. Anthony Friary as well as the St. Francis Friary, all in all there are...5...Friaries in Denver, I could be wrong.

Ok, before I go any further I know a lot of people who will be reading this don't know about the stages of formation that a Capuchin goes through. First there is Inquiry, which is where I am, in which you inquire (of course...) about the Capuchins and about their way of life, charism (essentially...how they live the gospel), etc. Next I believe is the application process...self explanatory. When you are accepted into the community you begin what is called Postulency (sp?) for two years in which you begin to familiarize yourself with the Province, and with really living as a Capuchin. After you have been a Postulant for two years you enter your novitiate year (when you first receive your habit...hoorah!) and you begin a more intense prayer life and have little ministry opportunities as you continue to discern. After your novitiate year is complete, you profess temporary vows of Poverty(I'm poor!), Chastity(I'm Celibate!), and Obedience(I'm...obedient). You have these vows for three years sometimes longer. Up until this point you are free to leave the community, after this point you take solemn vows (duh duh DUH) of the same.

I saw this so you understand when i saw that Brandon and Digger are finishing their postulency, and entering their novitiate year, and Br. Joseph has taken temporary vows. (a lot of explanation for a one sentence blurb...)

It is currently 7:22 pm and I am dog-tired, probably, because of jet-lag and non-stop-ness today. Tomorrow Br. Joseph is taking me to the San Antonio Friary (not to be confused with the St. Anthony Friary I visited today...they are really two different places) as well as to visit with Poor Clares...0h yeah, the Poor Clares Actually make the habits for the Capuchin Brothers as well as for the sisters I'm sure.

Oh, this is noteworthy, I witnessed something today that has never been heard of...at least in this area. A MOCK investiture. A REAL investiture is where the novitiate receives his habit for the first time, usually a big to-do. Since Brandon and Digger will have their real investiture in California, they wanted some pictures taken here for...whatever reason. So I got to see these two guys put on habits for the first time...and then give them back, so that they can receive them for the first time...again...in Cali. awesome right?

More to come...stay tuned!