Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

The Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (abbreviated as "C.F.R.") is a religious institute in the Latin Church of the Catholic Church. It follows the Capuchin Franciscan tradition. Originally formed as a mendicant congregation, it has served as an official institution of the Vatican since 2016.

The congregation was founded in 1987 by eight Capuchin priest friars, including Benedict Groeschel, Stan Fortuna, Robert Stanion, Glenn Sudano, Bob Lombardo, and Andrew Apostoli.

The purpose of the community is to strive to a return to the authentic Capuchin way of life and the renewal of the Catholic Church. In addition, the friars are known for their fidelity to the pope. The Community characterizes itself as Catholic, Franciscan, Capuchin, contemplative, prophetic, apostolic, fraternal and pro-life.

Sudano told a reporter about the motive behind forming the community "We were concerned about the effects of secularism on religious life [among the Capuchins] and a lack of clear and explicit fidelity to the Church. That secularism is less prevalent today, thank God, but was very much the case in the 1970s and 80s. What we were observing then were not so much sins of commission, but omission. A pastor, for example, [might] not speak out against the Holy Father, but neither would he speak in support of him. He [wouldn't] condemn adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or the Rosary, but he [wouldn't] promote them either. We worried that many of the traditional expressions of the Faith were not appreciated or practiced."

Sudano said that it was their feeling that "Because of this secularism, men weren't attracted to life in religious communities. ...[Potential candidates] wanted to participate in the traditional forms of religious life, and wanted traditional signs, such as wearing the habit."

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