CAPUCHIN MINORITY INCARNATED

Fr Ivan Scicluna OFMCap
Provincial Minister

The Suret il-Bniedem Foundation was founded by the Capuchin Friars Minor in Malta. The life and mission of the Capuchin Friars Minor are to be characterized by a particular virtue, which was so dear to our founder Saint Francis of Assisi, and which is considered to be the crown of all virtues, namely, humility, or to use a more Franciscan term, minority. This virtue touches the heart of the Franciscan charism. In fact, Saint Francis once willfully exclaimed: “I want this Order to be called Order of Friars Minor!”

What impressed Saint Francis in the life and ministry of Jesus was not Christ’s power to heal people or that he was a miracle worker, nor that he attracted crowds by his inspired teachings or that he raised people from the dead, but rather the abasement, the kenosis (i.e. the emptying of himself), the humility of Jesus exemplified in his Incarnation, in his Passion and death on the Cross, and in the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. No wonder the text of the washing of the feet was Francis’ favorite Gospel text! The humble gesture of the Son of God who in the Last Supper bends himself to the ground to carry out the work of a slave, left Saint Francis in awe and amazement of the humility of Jesus.  

Any follower of Francis (religious, cleric or lay) can truly say that he/she has internalized the Franciscan spirit if his/her life and work is imbued by a true spirit of humility or minority. Authentic Franciscan spirituality is founded on the sure rock of humility. Humility is the guarantee of true holiness. Indeed, there is no true holiness without a genuine effort to truly live the most-worthy motto of Saint John the Baptist, “He must increase and I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). I clearly remember that at the death of our Capuchin brother and bishop Mons. Paul Darmanin, everyone had one word to say: “What a truly humble pastor he was!” This is the most beautiful certificate that a Capuchin friar can receive at his death!

The humility, the minority of the Capuchin friar propels him to prefer those forms of apostolate that are considered the most difficult and the lowest in society, and which place him in direct contact with the poor, the destitute, the needy and those who are found in the peripheries of society. This ‘going out’ to minister to those in the fringes of society is very much in line with Pope Francis’ constant reminder since the beginning of his pontificate that, “The Church is called to come out of herself and to go to the peripheries, not only geographically, but also the existential peripheries: the mystery of sin, of pain, of injustice, of ignorance and indifference to religion, of intellectual currents, and of all misery”. 

Perhaps this is what the Suret il-Bniedem Foundation is all about. It reveals a joint effort by Capuchin Friars, lay volunteers and employed staff, in an attempt to alleviate the wound of homelessness in Malta. This is a most relevant project since homelessness is a growing reality that is pushing people to the periphery of society. By reaching out to this specific “periphery”, Suret il-Bniedem Foundation is giving a sure witness of how minorty can be incarnated. 

Welcome note by Chairperson

Dr Marique Sciberras MD DESA
Chairperson

Welcome to the website of Suret il-Bniedem Foundation, a foundation of the Maltese Franciscan Minor Capuchin Province. At Suret il-Bniedem we share and participate in the Franciscan charism and operate in accordance with Franciscan values, thus being open to those persons who are most isolated, vulnerable, voiceless and marginalised in our society.

Our mission is to provide comprehensive support including residential care and all-embracing psychosocial support for homeless individuals, helping them transition from homelessness to independent living. We strongly believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home and access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

Continue reading “Welcome note by Chairperson”

“From social workers to caregivers, I arrived at Dar Leopoldo as a lost and confused 19-year-old. I left with a clear plan, a stable life, and an education (Bachelor’s degree). Not once did they ask for anything in return. It’s the only place and the only people who truly felt like home. I’ll never forget the immense favor you’ve done for me, thank you.”

 Ex-Resident, Dar Patri Leopoldo

“As a social worker, I had the pleasure to work closely with professionals working at Dar Leopoldo. I am highly grateful for their sterling work purposely to support and improve the service-users’ well-being. Their humane approach with clients reflects fundamental values of social work such as : empathy, non-judgmental attitudes and integrity. Their work with the clients communicates a sense of worth and dignity. This is what differentiates between being in a shelter solely to have your basic needs met and being in a shelter that feels like a temporarily home. I believe that the care and warmth professionals at Dar Leopoldo show, bring about further opportunities so that the service-users can feel empowered, supported and regain independence.”

Field external social worker

“As a professional who collaborates closely with the staff at Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact they have on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. The staff working within the shelters are truly compassionate, dedicated, and deeply committed to not only providing shelter but also offering holistic support that empowers clients to rebuild their lives from scratch. I am incredibly grateful to work alongside Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem as they are a strong pillar of our community in the fight to end homelessness.”


External Social Worker

“To start with they have  a very highly  qualified and well trained management and staff  for all kinds of life situations, especially when it comes to mental health. This Foundation  has made a very huge impact  on a relative of mine for these past  4 /5 years.  The positive difference is undeniable.  They are always there to support and cooperate with you just like if you were family, and  they offer their clients many opportunities for a better life. and with no doubt they walk with you all the way. 

Thankyou  for all  is not enough for the success they help achieve for persons with mental health issues. “

Relative of Resident

Michela was one of the residents that was very hesitant in starting her placement a few years ago as she was used to living on her own, however this was no longer an option as her mental health had to be given a priority. Today, Michela managed to regain her much of her independency, as through our 24/7 support, she managed to get back on track on most of the issues that were causing her great struggles while she was still living on her own. A few steps more, and with the help of the visits offered by the Community Outreach Services, Michela will be able to return to live on her own with weekly support. 

Lisa has been a resident at Dar Imelda for several years and throughout her placement she has repeatedly expressed her wish to quit smoking as she has realised that her health issues are increasing, and she will not be able to enjoy her time with her family as much as she wished. With lots of perseverance and support, Lisa is now close to her 3-year anniversary cigarettes free! Every year we celebrate this milestone with some cake, and we use this story to help and support other clients who are willing to do the same. 

Journey to Recovery

John, a 55 year old male, faced a long battle with alcohol addiction, which led to severe mental health issues, prolonged hospitalizations, and financial instability. Upon joining Dar Franġisk, he was at a crucial turning point, determined to overcome his struggles. With comprehensive, tailored support from our team, John focused on his recovery and skill-building in a stable environment. He engaged with specialized services that addressed his addiction, and improved his financial situation with budgeting and debt management assistance. Over time, John achieved sobriety, stabilized his mental health, and even started saving money. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of dedicated support and personal commitment, offering hope for others facing similar challenges.

An 18-year-old was imprisoned and, upon his release, was referred to Dar Patri Leopoldo. At just 19 years old, he faced numerous challenges in getting his documentation in order. Having fled his country due to war, he endured significant hardships before arriving in Malta. His primary goal at Dar Leopoldo was to pursue education, and the team there supported him in achieving this. He successfully enrolled in and graduated from a course. Despite his past struggles and being in a new country with limited support, he remained respectful and actively contributed to Dar Leopoldo. He eventually moved out of Dar Leopoldo and rented his own place. He has stayed in touch with the team, particularly his social worker, sharing his academic achievements and good grades leading up to his graduation.