At present the First Franciscan Order comprises three “families”: the Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.), the Friars Minor (OFM) and the Capuchin Friars Minor (OFM Capp.).
The Order of the Capuchin Friars Minor originated from a reform movement started in January 1525 by Matteo da Bascio. The incipient reform was given an organizational shape by Matteo’s closest companion Ludovico da Fossombrone; it was given canonical approval by Clement VII on July 3rd 1528.
Having overcome its initial difficulties, the new Order achieved rapid growth. In 1536 it contained about 500 members distributed over 12 monastic provinces in the whole of Italy. By 1550, only 25 years after its inception, there were 2,500 Capuchins, and in 1571 there was a total of 3,300 in Italy alone. In 1574 they established themselves in France, and subsequently in Spain (1578), Switzerland (1581), Belgium (1585), Tyrol (1593), Bohemia (1603) and the Rhineland and Westphalia (1611-1612).
By the end of the 16th century the Order had 7,268 members distributed in 30 provinces and 664 friars.
The impetus and development of this young Franciscan family were the result of “the zeal and ingenuity of their leaders, who were able to give a solid organization to the incoming members, excluding weak and disruptive elements even among the founders themselves; patience in standing up to all kinds of persecution; the passion of their preaching and the charity with which they helped the afflicted made, which made them loved by the people”.
source: GEMELLI A., OFM, Il francescanesimo, 5 editions, Milan 1945, p. 144.
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