The Capuchin Friars of Villiè-Morgon, France.
A thread about the Capuchin Community of Traditional Observance.
Founded by Fr. Eugene de Villeurbanne, a friar of the Province of Lyon, it was created to be a community of brothers observing the traditional Capuchin way of life - faithful to the habit Fr. Eugene professed as a novice, the rule he vowed to observe, and the traditional Mass.
Fr. Eugene went on to his eternal repose in AD MCMXC, but the community has since grown. Outside of Morgon, there are houses in Castelnau d’Arbieu and Pontchardon.
Please pray for Fr. Eugene de Villeurbanne’s soul.
The friars recite the whole Divine Office. At 1:00, they rise for Matins. They rise again at 4:25 for Lauds, followed by mental prayer and a reading on the Passion of Our Lord. At 5:45, they read Sacred Scripture in their cell for 45 minutes, before Prime and Terce at 6:30.
Prime and Terce is followed by Holy Mass at 7:00. Breakfast is at 8:00, abstaining from meat on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The Grand Silence lasts until 9:15, where the friars do study or spiritual reading.
The rest of the morning, until 11:35, is spent doing intellectual work (for clerical brothers), and manual work (for lay brothers). The midday meal is proceeded by the Chapter of Faults. Brothers now visit the Blessed Sacrament, and pray for their benefactors.
For common recreation, the brothers walk in the grounds of the friary. At 13:30, the bell is rung and the second Grand Silence begins, also beginning free time. This is typically spend having a siesta, until Vespers and Rosary at 14:00.
Work continues into the afternoon, except on Thursdays (which is spent on a long walk). At 17:00, spiritual reading and devotions are practiced, followed by Compline at 17:30 and mental prayer until supper at 18:45. Recreation follows the meal, until the Grand Pardon at 19:45.
After the final prayers of the day, the Grand Silence begins. By 20:30, most brothers are asleep.
The life of a Capuchin is the strictest of all Franciscans, the most contemplative and prayerful, hence why called the « Hermits of St. Francis ».
The ministry of the Clerical Brothers is exercised primarily in the confessional, and in the pulpit. Brothers also arrange three-monthly meetings for the Third Order, give retreats, sacramental assistance in hospices, chaplaincy for the Clarisses, for schools.
Such exterior activities add to the occupied timetable in the convent, with confessions, spiritual direction, correspondence, and spiritual and intellectual courses for novices and student brothers.
The friars are under the care of the Society of St. Pius X, with the former district superior of France (formerly known as Fr. Régis de Cacqueray) joining the order in 2014, taking the name Joseph. He is now known as Père Joseph d'Avallon O.F.M. Cap.
Priests are ordained by Bp. Alfonso de Galarreta, and study for 7 years after taking simple vows, with profession of perpetual vows and ordination to the subdiaconate taking place in the sixth year of study. The priesthood is received at the end of the seventh year.
Once ordained, brothers do not hear confessions in the convent for one year, as they continue their formation for another year before taking up the other occupations of Holy Ministry.
For those interested in the order, do not hesitate to speak to your nearest FSSPX priest, and if you wish to send a letter to the convent, contact the following address with a letter in French:
Rev. Father Guardian, Couvent St. François, Morgon, 69910 Villiè-Morgon, France.
Please keep the brothers in your intentions always. Please also pray for my vocation, as I discern whether I am called to join this community.
God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary keep you always!
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