Willliam Mattes (Submitted photo)
An Ashland resident has joined the Capuchin postulancy program.
William Mattes, son of Lori and William Mattes, has joined the postulancy program of the Capuchin Franciscan friars.
Mattes graduated from St. John University, Collegeville, Minn., majoring in biology and theology.
In 2010, Mattes graduated the Capuchins’ St. Lawrence Seminary High School, Mt. Calvary, and has been a faculty member there for the last two years.
“I have always been a Franciscan,” Mattes said. “My home parish in Ashland was staffed by Franciscan OFMs. I attended and worked at St. Lawrence, which is a Capuchin ministry.
“I truly admire the Capuchins’ diverse ministries, the community life, the prayer life, and how the friars interact and support one another. It was never a question if I was going to apply to postulancy. It was only a question of when,” he added.
The Capuchin Province of St. Joseph is headquartered in Detroit. Mattes is currently providing ministry to Milwaukee’s Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant rights group. He is also providing jail ministry to inmates in Milwaukee’s correctional system.
In addition to providing ministry work, the Capuchin postulancy program includes formation studies. After one year of postulancy, the candidates continue their studies and vocational discernment process through training as a novice, which is also one year in duration.
The novitiate year is when they receive the Capuchin habit. The year focuses on classes, personal and communal prayer, silence, and spiritual direction. Novitiate ends with the first profession of temporary vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
“It is a carefully structured program that is aimed to deepen the individual’s faith and to assist in the exploration of vocational choices,” Br. Joe Monachino, Capuchin postulancy director and friar, explained.
The Capuchin friars live as a community of brothers, modeling themselves after St. Francis of Assisi, assisting the poor and marginalized. The friars serve in a variety of ministries including social service ministry, schools, chaplaincy, evangelization, and parishes in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, and Panama. There are currently 174 friars serving in the province.
