The Arrival of the Capuchins in Olomouc

The Capuchins were founded in Italy in 1528 as a reform branch of the Franciscan Order. They were inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226), who emphasized poverty, simplicity, and love for God and people. The Capuchins came to the Czech lands in 1599 through the efforts of St. Lawrence of Brindisi. The Capuchins have been present in Olomouc since 1614, when Cardinal Franz von Dietrichstein invited them to the city.
The first friars began their mission in very modest conditions and often encountered misunderstanding from the local population. Shortly after their arrival, they built the first monastery, which was destroyed in 1619 during the Estates Uprising. After returning, the Capuchins resumed their lives in the city; however, the Thirty Years' War brought further devastation, and the monastery was demolished once again. The current monastery and church, dedicated to the Annunciation of the Lord, were constructed after 1649 near the Church of St. Blaise and finished in 1661. More recent history was no less difficult. In 1950, the communist regime confiscated the monastery and interned the friars. It was not until after 1989 that the Capuchins were able to return to Olomouc, and in 1995, they regained their monastery.
Together with the other branches of the Franciscan order, the Capuchins strive "to live the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ," following the example of St. Francis. Prayer—both communal and personal—is central to their lives. They give special importance to silent, contemplative prayer, in which one rests in God’s presence. Their service to others grows from this inner experience: accompanying people on their spiritual journeys and sharing their faith in a profound way that touches everyday life.