Capuchin Poor Clares
The Capuchin Poor Clares is a Catholic religious order of Pontifical Right for women founded in Naples, Italy, in 1538, by Blessed Maria Lorenza Longo. The order still exists and it now has communities in the United States. Members are referred to as Capuchinesses.
History
Maria Laurenza Longo had built a hospital and house that cared for prostitutes. The first community of nuns was formed in 1538, organised by priests from the Theatine order. This new body was soon organised not by the Theatines but by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, usually known as Capuchins. The Capuchin Poor Clares follow the original ideals of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi. The Capuchin Poor Clares are a cloistered community of contemplative religious sisters. Longo wanted to re-establish the original concepts of religious simplicity, selfless poverty and the austerity of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi set by Matteo da Bascio when he founded the order of the Capuchin friars. Longo's new order took the same habit design as the men. Like the friars, the nuns wear a simple brown tunic knotted with a cord at the waist and a short cape. The only addition for nuns was a wimple and a black veil.A notable member of the order was Saint Veronica Giuliani who joined the order in Città di Castello in Italy in 1677. She rose to be a mystic and abbess, and in 1839 she was canonised by Pope Gregory XVI.
In America
In the United States, the Capuchin Poor Clares have monasteries in Wilmington, Delaware, Amarillo, Texas, Alamo, Texas, Denver, Colorado, and Pueblo, Colorado.At Our Lady of Light Monastery in Denver there are nine professed sisters. The monastery in Denver was founded by Capuchin Poor Clare sisters from Irapuato in central Mexico in 1988. In addition to sewing habits, the sisters provide for the needs of their community by making and selling cookies.
Saints, Blesseds, and other holy people
Saints- Veronica (Orsola) Giuliani, mystic, canonized on 26 May 1839.
- Maria Llorença Llong (Maria Lorenza Longo), founder of the Order, beatified on 9 October 2021.
- Maria Angela (Maria Ines Jerónima) Astorch, founder of the Order in Zaragoza and Murcia, beatified on 23 May 1982.
- Maria Maddalena (Margherita) Martinengo, professed religious, beatified on 3 June 1900.
- Lucrezia Elena (Florida) Cevoli, abbess, beatified on 16 May 1993.
- María Vicenta (María Jesús) Masiá Ferragud and 4 Companions, Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War, beatified on 11 March 2001.
- , Martyr of the Nazi Occupation of Poland during the Second World War, beatified on 13 June 1999.
- Maria Costanza (Agnese Pacifica) Panas, professed religious, beatified on 9 October 2022.
- Clemenza Adelaide Cesira Ticchi, professed religious, declared Venerable on 23 November 2020
- Maria Consolata Betrone, professed religious, declared Venerable on 6 April 2019
- Maria Chiara of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, professed religious, declared Venerable on 2 April 2011
- Àngela Margarida Prat, professed religious
- Úrsula Jerónima Morata Iscayo Garibaldo, professed religious, declared as a Servant of God on 11 September 2006
- Maria Lanceata Morelli, professed religious, declared as a Servant of God on 6 November 2002
- Maria Diomira of the Incarnate Word, professed religious
- Maria Teresa Coppola, professed religious, declared as a Servant of God on 28 January 2014
Other notable people
- Inés de Guerrico Eguses, nun, writer