Paulo Kosaka, a native of Guam, and associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City, is a priest

The word ‘friar’ comes from the Latin word ‘frater,’ meaning ‘brother.’ When Francis of Assisi founded his community, he intended that all its members live as brothers, without distinction of rank, title, or education. 

Capuchins are a religious community of both lay brothers and ordained priests. Yet, in the spirit of St. Francis, all friars – lay and ordained -  see themselves as brothers, as equals, with no one greater or less than the next, respectful to one another, and to all of creation. This humility is a characteristic still found in the name of Capuchins, who go by the title O.F.M. Cap., meaning Order of Friars Minor, Capuchin.

Brian Champoux, who is a member of our fraternity, and who is on temporary assignment in Pittsburgh, Pa., is a brother but not a priest