About

My name is Brother Matthew of Versoix, O.F.M.Cap. I am a Swiss traditional Friar Minor Capuchin. This is my site dedicated to promoting the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and Franciscan spirituality, particularly the original regular observance.

The French website contains information not published on the English website, and vice versa. I therefore encourage non-French speakers to use a browser translation tool and explore the French site as well.

You can find my other websites and more in the Links section.

The Capuchin Order is an autonomous reformed branch of the Order of Saint Francis, with its autonomy granted by Pope Paul V in 1619, following a period of severe and almost unbelievable persecution. The Franciscan Order underwent multiple reforms over time, but a well-known prophecy circulated within the Order, foretelling that an ultimate reform would arise from simple and unlearned friars. This prophecy is regarded as having been fulfilled by the Capuchin Reform, which is recognized by history as the definitive and final reform of the Franciscan Order.

The year 2025 is significant for the Capuchin Order, as it marks the 500th anniversary of its Reform, which began in 1525.

As stated in Chapter 1 of Saint Francis’ Rule, “the Rule and life of the Friars Minor consist in observing the holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience, without property, and in chastity.” The life of the Friar Minor is particularly founded upon the following verses:

Matthew 19:21: “Jesus said to him: If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you own and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; then come and follow Me.”

Luke 9:3: “And He said to them: Carry nothing for the journey, no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and do not take two tunics.”

Luke 9:23: “He also said to all: If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

As commanded by Saint Francis’ Rule and in accordance with the Evangelical Counsels, Capuchins do not possess anything, either individually or collectively.

Pope Nicholas III, Exiit qui seminat, 1279: “We declare that renouncing all forms of property, both individually and collectively, for the love of God, is meritorious and holy, that Jesus Christ taught it through His words and confirmed it by His example…”

Rule of Saint Francis, Chap. 6: “Let the Brothers own nothing, neither house, nor place, nor anything else; but let them consider themselves as travelers and strangers in this world; let them serve the Lord in poverty and humility; and let them go with confidence to ask for alms. They should not be ashamed to do so, since Our Lord became poor in this world for our sake. This is the excellence of this sublime poverty, my very dear Brothers, which has made you heirs and kings of the Kingdom of Heaven; which has stripped you of the goods of the earth, but has made you great in virtues. Let this be your inheritance; it is what leads to the land of the living: cling to it entirely, my very dear Brothers; and for the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, never desire to possess anything else under heaven.”

Pope Gregory IX reported that Saint Francis told him during his lifetime that he had obtained three privileges from Our Lord ¹:

1. The greater the number of Brothers, the more abundant the provisions would become.
2. No Brother clothed in the holy habit would come to a bad end (obviously, this applies only to those who strive to live in accordance with it and it does not apply to heretics outside the Church).
3. Whoever persecuted the Order would be severely punished by the Lord, his days would be shortened, and his end would be disastrous.

Saint Francis further adds that, on the occasion of receiving his Sacred Stigmata on Mount Alverna, he was granted three additional privileges:

1. The profession of his Brothers, or his Order, would last until the end of the world.
2. Whoever lived wickedly within his Order would not be able to persevere in it for long.
3. Whoever sincerely loved his Order would, through repentance, obtain the Lord’s mercy, no matter how great a sinner he had been.

Bernardino of Colpetrazzo was a Capuchin who died in 1594. In his Chronicles he reports that Jesus Christ appeared to St. Francis in the form of the Crucified and told him that the apostolic life would be preserved in his Order until the Day of Judgment:

Our Lord to St. Francis of Assisi: “… I want the life I and my Apostles led preserved in your Order until the day of Judgement. Then anyone who wants to know what my life was will know it in your Friars who will observe the Rule that I will give you.”

He also reports a prophecy which states that at the end of times, the Friars Minor will be “without guides and teachers”:

Bernardino of Colpetrazzo, Capuchin (d. 1594): “That prophecy is verified which says: In the last days a Reform will be done in the spirit of the Founder. The Holy Spirit will call the novices who come in that day. They will be without guides and teachers.”

Obviously, those heretical “Friars Minor” of the Vatican II sect or from other groups such as the SSPX are outside the Church and are not true religious.

Contrary to a myth spread by heretics, Saint Francis of Assisi was not the precursor of Vatican II’s interreligious dialogues, quite the opposite. As his life and writings clearly demonstrate to anyone of good will, he was a devout and uncompromising Catholic who firmly held that the Catholic Faith is absolutely necessary for salvation.

In particular, heretics cite his meeting with the Sultan of Egypt to support their claims. What they do not know, or deliberately conceal, is that Saint Francis actually went there to convert him, and, according to some reports, the Sultan did convert later on. Here is an excerpt of what Saint Francis said to the Sultan:

Saint Francis of Assisi to the Sultan of Egypt: “… This Jesus crucified, whom you hold in contempt and blaspheme, will grant me a life that will never end. I have come on His behalf to proclaim to you His divine Word, which is not imprisoned with me; your eternal salvation, and that of all your subjects, depends on it. The power of this God whom I preach to you surpasses that of all crowned heads, for it extends over souls as well as bodies, and the severity of His justice can eternally condemn you to the flames. Do not let yourself be deceived by the delusions of your false prophet, whose ashes you revere, while his soul burns in Hell. Embrace the law of Jesus Christ and abandon that of Muhammad, lest you follow into torment those whose errors you profess.” ²

Saint Francis predicted that an antipope would emerge and lead many into heresy:

“At the time of this tribulation a man, not canonically elected, will be raised to the Pontificate, who, by his cunning, will endeavor to draw many into error and death.” ³

In his Rule, he also makes clear that Friars Minor promise obedience to legitimate Popes, not Antipopes:

Rule of Saint Francis, Chap. 1: “Brother Francis promises obedience and reverence to Lord Pope Honorius and his canonically elected successors, and to the Roman Church.”

Here are the words that Saint Francis often said to his Brothers to encourage them to strictly observe the Rule:

“We have promised great things, greater ones have been promised to us. Let us hold on to the former and long for the latter. Pleasure is short, suffering is eternal. Suffering is light, glory is infinite. Many are called, few are chosen, and all will receive what they have deserved.”