Brother
Thomas Skowron

My name is Brother Thomas, and I’m a Capuchin Franciscan friar of the Province of St. Joseph. I was born in 1985 in Poland but spent most of my life in Germany, where my vocation and love for the Church first began to take shape. Today I live in Detroit, Michigan, where I serve as a priest and minister as the Director of Pastoral Care at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. My days are filled with meeting people where they are — listening, praying, and offering support. It’s a ministry that humbles me daily and reminds me of the Franciscan call to be with and for those on the margins.
I studied theology in Germany, where I earned a Magister Theologiae degree from the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule in Münster. My master’s thesis focused on fresh expressions of church — new and creative ways the Christian community can take shape in today’s world. That time of study gave me a deep love for both the intellectual tradition of the Church and the pastoral side of priestly ministry. It continues to shape how I preach, how I teach, and how I try to accompany others in their faith journey.
Another big part of my vocation is icon painting. Over the years I’ve trained in Germany, Ukraine, and the United States, learning from masters of the tradition. For me, painting icons is more than art — it’s first and foremost prayer. Each brushstroke is a way of entering into the mystery of God, and I hope the icons I paint can invite others into that same space of prayer and contemplation.
Reception of a certificate of completion of the first level of Eikonon Schole in Uzhgorod Ukraine from the hands of Br. Adam Trochimowicz, one of the teachers, and Archimandrite Archimandrite, rector of the Theodore Romzha Greek Catholic Theological Academy in Uzhhorod.
One of the most important experiences of my formation was at Eikonen Schole in Uzhgorod, Ukraine where I studied from 2017-2019. This school, run by the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Mukachevo and supported by the Capuchin Custody of Ukraine, gave me a strong foundation in the Byzantine tradition of iconography. I also learned from such masters as George Kordis, Fr. Anthony Gunin, and Ian Knowles. I’m blessed to share this journey with others as a member of Fraternity “Reconciliation”, an international group of Capuchin icon painters who use sacred art as a bridge for unity and healing.
Outside of ministry and painting, I enjoy quieter hobbies that keep me grounded. I love reading — everything from theology and art to good literature. I also like to take pictures, especially of the little glimpses of beauty that appear in everyday life. And I’m always trying to pick up new languages, since I’ve found that learning the words of another culture is a great way to understand its heart.
At the center of it all, I have a deep love for the Byzantine liturgy. Its chant, beauty, and rich symbolism speak to me in a powerful way and inspire both my priestly ministry and my art. Whether I’m celebrating the liturgy, painting an icon, or spending time with guests at the Soup Kitchen, my hope is to help others catch a glimpse of God’s presence and love.