The Capuchins of North America are collaborating to establish a fraternity that will live among migrants near the U.S.-Mexico border.

The fraternity will be located in McAllen, Texas, in the Diocese of Brownsville. Its members will come from the provinces of the North American and Pacific Capuchin Conference. It will be an international and intercultural fraternity.

The project is part of the Capuchin Order’s mission to establish “St. Lawrence of Brindisi Fraternities,” intentional communities of friars who come together from different regions and cultures to witness to the Capuchin Franciscan charisms in places where the Church and Order are seeking to evangelize.

Friars from the North American conference are coordinating with Spanish-speaking friars from the Custody of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico to develop the fraternity. They hope to commission the new fraternity in the spring of 2025.

“The Capuchin fraternity in McAllen will be an excellent opportunity for us as friars to give witness to the presence of Christ, especially among the many people who cross the border there,” said Br. James Donegan, director of mission for the Province. “Working together among our provinces of the North American and Pacific Capuchin Conference in conjunction with our Capuchin brothers in Mexico further gives us a means to walk together in the footprints of Christ across provincial, national, and linguistic differences.

“May the Lord guide us as we make this commitment together as friars.”