India, Sept. 28 -- They stand out in any gathering of Catholic clergy, their coffee-brown hooded robes a sharp contrast to the pristine white cassocks of the priests, the saffron or sky-blue saris of the women religious and the colourful "Sunday best" of the laity in a Christ the King procession through a town's streets.

The Capuchins, friars of the Franciscan Order and followers of the Saint of Assisi, have a hoary history of some four centuries in India, and though they may not be well known in every diocese or parish, the prayer of St Francis, "make me a channel of your peace," is by now an anthem of the nation's civil society.

My own close acquaintance with the community began with Indian Currents. Fr John Vallamattam, the legendar...