IV. Melaphnrieal U»e» of He Term " Captrnty.**^ *^ Children of the captivity" is a common figure of speech denoting those who were in captivity, or per- haps sometimes literally their posterity (Ezra, iv, 1). "Turn again** (Psa. cxxvi, 1), "turn away" (Jer. xxix, 14), "turn back" (Zeph.iii, 20), or, "bring again*' (Ezek. xvi, 63) *.' the captivity,** are figurative phrases, all referring to the Jewish nation in bondage and their return to Canaan. A similar expression is used in re- lation to individuals (Job xliii, 10) : " The Lord turned the captivity of Job,'* i. e. he released him frt>m the unusual sufferings and perplexities to which he had been in bondage, and caused him to rejoice again in the &vor of God. "He led captivity captive,*' or
he led captive those who had led others captive** (Eph. iv, 8), is a figurative allusion to the victory wliich our blessed Redeemer achieved over sin, the world, death, and hell, by which our ruined race are brought into bondage (Psa. Ixviii, 18; Rom. viii, 21; GaLiv,24;Heb.ii,15; 2Pet.ii,19;CoLii,15). See Exile.
CapachinB, monks of the strictest obeervance of the rule of St. Francis, called Ctgrnckitu on account of the great pointed capuckon (or cowls) which they wear. Matteo di Baschi, an Obeervantlne friar, of tlie ccn- vent of Monte Falcone, in the duchy of Urbino, in It- aly, was the founder of this reformed order in 1525. Pretending that the Franciscans were no longer strict followers of St. Francis, as they wore a different cowl, did not let their beard grow, and had mitigated the vow of poverty, he, with the pope's permission, and accom- panied by some others, reti^ into a solitary hermit- age of the Camaldoli near Massado. The reformed monies were much persecuted by the Franciscans, who drove them fhmi place to place. In 1528 Pope Clem- ent VII allowed them to put themselves under the obedience of the Conventuals, and to take the title of Friars Hermits Minors, with the right of electing a vicar generaL Their first establishment was at Col- menxone, near Camerino. In 1629 they held the first general chapter at Alvacina, and drew up the rule of the new association, which received alterations and additions in 1636 and 1676. It enjoins, among other things, that the Capuchins shall perform divine service without singing; that thejr shall say bat one mass each day in tl\elr convents; that they shall observe hours for mental* prayer morning and evening, days for disciplining themselves, and days of silence ; that they shall always travel on foot, and avoid ornament and costly frirniture in their churches, contenting themselves with having the curtains of the altar of stuff and the chalices of tin. Pope Paul III, in 15S6, gave them the name of Capuehine of the Order ofFrian Minor, and subjected them to the visitation and cor- rection of the Conventuals. In the same year the two founders and first vicars general of tiie order, Matteo di Baschi, and his friend Ludovico di Fossombrone, were excluded from the order for disobedience. The fourth vicar general, Ochino, one of the most famous preachers of Italy, became a Protestant in 1648. For a time the whole order was forbidden to pre&ch, and threatened with suppression, but their submission and humble petitions averted this dange^. From this time dates the development of their peculiar character, their rapid spread, and great infiuence in the Romish Church. A severe asceticism, a designed neglect of both mind and body, and a coarse, cunning eloquence, made them the fkvorite preach- ers of the lower classes of the people. The order has never produced great scholars, but has been join- ed sometimes by princes (e. g. Alfonso di Este, duke of Modena) and by statesmen tired of the world. In 1578 the order was introduced into France, in 1606 into Spain, and in 1619 their su- perior was permitted to take the name of General. In the last century they count- ed more than 60 provinces, 8 custodies, nearly 600 con- vents, and 26,000 mem- bers, without taking into account the missionaries in Brazil, Congo, Barbary, Efrypt, and tiie East.
In 1868 the order had 89 capuchin Monk, wiUwU provinces, 4 custodies, and Cloak. «
CAPUCIAH
116
CARACALLA
5 ricariates general inpartSnu infiddkan, with about 11,300 members. A province most have at least 4 complete convents. Hoases with less than four monks are called rendencet. The greatest nnmber of proo- meeg was, until 1869, in Italy ; but, together with other monastic communities, nearly all the convents of the Capuchins have since been suppressed by the govern- ment of the kinsrdom of Italy. It has also convents or residences in France, Switzerland, Austria, Prussia, several other German states, Bel^um, Holland, Ire- land, England, Poland, Turkey, Greece, India, the Sey- chelles, and Sooth America. In most of these coun- tries the number of convents Is on the increase. The autodUs (with less than four convents) are in Ireland, Croatia, Lucca, and Westphalia. The latter, which comprises Prussia, Hanover, and Hesse- Darmstadt, wss established in 1851, The first convent in England was founded in 1858 by Viscount Fielding. The vica- riaUt general with episcopal jurisdiction are in Tunis, Abyssinia, Patna, Bombay, and Agra. In South Amer- ica they have some residences, and are penetrating more and more into the interior. About 500 members are employed as foreign missionaries, and there is a semi- nary for preparing chosen young Capuchins for foreign mi»ions in Rome.