Since 1992 the Capuchin Province of Saint Augustine has sponsored a volunteer program for young people. We call it CapCorps, and participants, typically in their early 20s, spend one to three years, usually after college, helping the poor and living in a community. Hundreds of young adults have spent time in this program and most have gone on to be good Catholic lay leaders. A few have become Capuchins. Our volunteers have served in Baltimore, Washington DC, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Puerto Rico and Papua New Guinea. We Capuchins consider them part of our provincial family.
On January 18, our five Washington DC volunteers attended a Catholic young adult event at a local church. As they were walking home from the subway station, a mugger appeared and ended up shooting Ryan Realbuto. Ryan, 23 years old, died from a gunshot wound.
Ryan had graduated from Saint Bonaventure University. He was known to have a special interest in helping disabled people and he had been a volunteer with the Special Olympics. He was working as a CapCorps volunteer with the DC Christo Rey School, helping disadvantaged children to receive a quality education.
We Capuchins are stunned by his senseless death. I have two reactions: First, I am proud that the Catholic Church still produces generous, faith-inspired young people who love God and who demonstrate that love by serving others. Second, I am appalled that so many people die from absurd violence.
We Capuchins are proud of our CapCorps volunteers and we are grateful that Ryan spent some months with us in community and serving the poor. We grieve for his family and for his fellow CapCorps volunteers. Our friars in Washington are also in shock and pain.
Pray for Ryan and his family and friends. Pray for peace on our streets.
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