To emphasize the spirit of hospitality and service reflected in their patron, St. Conrad of Parzham, the Capuchin Province of Mid-America recently began using their internally known name of “the Capuchin Province of St. Conrad”—as well as unveiled a new logo and website.
“It is more likely that people would identify affectively with a friar-saint, than they would a territory,” Provincial Minister Father Christopher Popravak, O.F.M. Cap., said of the name change and updated logo that features an image of St. Conrad, donned in the familiar brown robe of a Capuchin, corded at the waist; receiving a poor and marginalized man.
St. Conrad was a Capuchin lay brother who spent most of his life as a porter, or doorkeeper, at an ancient Marian Shrine at a Bavarian friary in Altoetting, Germany. As porter, he welcomed people to the friary and offered food to pilgrims who visited each day.
“Our mission has always been first, to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Father Popravak. “And second, to proclaim that Gospel through our fraternal brotherhood in community life, and in our lives of service to those most in need.”
New branding and communication aims to freshen the image of the province, part of the worldwide order living the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, as well as respond to the new evangelization movement.
“The Church is calling the Capuchins to do more too,” said Father Popravak. “The Church is inviting us to respond to an age of communications that has drastically changed the landscape for reaching others.”
The Capuchins friars plan to reach out to fallen-away Catholics, Father Popravak said, including through their new website, www.capuchins.org, that launched April 21, the feast of St. Conrad.
