FRATERNITAS
Vol. XLVIII. Nr. 219 - OFM Roma - Email: - 01.01. 2015
The inauguration of the Year of the Consecrated Life
The Year dedicated to the Consecrated Life, desired by Pope Francis and organised by the CIVCSVA, was solemnly inaugurated with a prayer vigil in St. Mary Major’s in the afternoon of the 29thof November and a Concelebrated Eucharist in the Basilica of St. Peter, the Vatican, in the morning of the 30th of November, 2014, the First Sunday of Advent.
Pope Francisencouraged the consecrated men and women of the whole world, through a video message, to be disciples and missionaries in an “open” Church by living and announcing the Gospel among the men and women living on the periphery today.
An Invitation to Taizé
The General Definitory, together with the General Secretariat for Formation and Studies, warmly invites all the Provinces and Conferences to send the greatest possible number of temporarily professed Friars to participate in the gathering which, promoted by the community of Taizé in the context of the Year Dedicated to the Consecrated Life, will take place from the 5th to the 12th of July 2015.
VIII Centenary of the Pilgrimage of St. Francis to Santiago
The VIII Centenary of the pilgrimage of St. Francis of Assisi to Santiago de Compostela (1214-2014) is being celebrated in different parts of Spain, especially in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, during 2014. The pilgrimage of St. Francis is a tradition mentioned in Chapter IV of the Little Flowers of St. Francis and his Companions. It is well known that Santiago de Compostelawas one of three places of Christian pilgrimage, alongside Rome and the Holy Land, during the Middle Ages.
The Minister General, Br. Michel A. Perry, the Vicar General, Br. Julio Bunader, and five Definitors General madea pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James and, on Saturday the 8th of November 2014, held a meeting, which lasted the whole day, with the Friars and the Franciscan Family of the region, to which not only the Friars of the Province, but also the laity and religious who collaborate with the Friars in the various houses of the Province, were invited.
The Christmas Letter
...St. Francis composed one of the “Psalms” of the Office of the Passionfor Vespers during Christmas. The text expresses joy and delight at the birth of Christ, but recognises the humility of the context in which the New Born found himself in Bethlehem: For the Most Holy Child has been given to us and has been born for us on the way [Is 9,6], and placed in a manger because he did not have a place in the inn [Lk2, 7] (Office of the Passion, XV,7).
...Let us reflect, during these days of celebration, on the “minority” of Jesus, on his being “less than” others, on his presenting himself as their servant. The Prologue of The Gospel according to John describes this choice of mingling among “the smallest” in simple words: “The Word was made flesh, and lived among us” (Jn1,14). The Word, the Beloved Son, humbled himself, he descended from the highest state of divinity to the womb of the Virgin Mary where he received “the flesh of our humanity and frailty”(2LtF 5). This choice, this totally free act of the overflowing love of God, led him to become a creature among creatures in such a way that He, the Only-begotten Son, could redirect all back to their source in the communion of love of the Trinity.
The Delegate General for the Economic Affairs of the Order
The Minister General has appointed Br. Pasquale Del Pezzo, OFM, of the Salernitano-Lucana (Italy) Friar Minor Province of the Immaculate Conception, to be the Delegate General for the Economic Affairs of the Order. This delegation is granted until the celebration of the 2015 General Chapter.
Meeting of the OFM Formators of COTAF
A meeting of Formators of the Secretariat for Formation and Studies of COTAF (The Franciscan Transalpine Conference), coordinated by the Secretary, Br. Andreas Brands, OFM, was held in the Franciscan Friary of Osnabrück in Germany, from the 27th to the 31st of October 2014. 35 religious:almost all the formators; the Provincial Ministers; Br. Roger Marchal, OFM, General Definitor;Br. Vidal Rodríguez, OFM, the Secretary General for Formation and Studies; and Br. Sergiusz Baldyga, OFM, Vice-Secretary, participated.
The theme of the meeting was “Evangelisation ad intra” to which Br. Johannes B. Freyer, OFM, professor at the Pontifical University Antonianum, contributed a reflection.
Ecumenical and Inter-religious Dialogue
The X Course of Ongoing Formation on Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue was held in the historical city of Istanbul from the 13thto the 28thof October 2014.
In addition to the conferences and moments of examination, there were, among the more significant activities, three days of visits to the region of the Churches of the Apocalypse.
Academic Act in honour of Bl. John Duns Scotus
The usual academic act in honour of Blessed John Duns Scotus was held in the PUA on the 10thof November 2014. The academic act began with the report on the academic year 2013-2014 by the Rector Magnificus, Prof. Mary Melone, S.F.A. Prof. Romuald Kośla, of the “John Paul II” University in Cracow, spoke of “The Influence of John Duns Scotus on the theology of reparation”. The Minister General and Grand Chancellor of the PUA, Br. Michael A. Perry brought the academic act to a conclusion.
450 years ofCanonical Approval
The Friars of the Province of Sts. Peter and Paul of Michoacán share their joy with the whole Franciscan Family as they celebrate the opening of a jubilee year on the 13th of November 2014 in gratitude to God, who is all good and the highest good and who has blessed them with the 450th anniversary (1565-2015) of their canonical approbation as the Province of Sts. Peter and Paul of Michoacán.
A “Pro-orantibus Day”
A “Pro-orantibus Day” was held in St. Anthony’s Hall on the 21st of November 2014. Presided by the Rector Magnificus of the PUA, Sr. Mary Melone, S.F.A., and moderated by Maria Parente, RAI Vaticana, the Day included two presentations (Elena Francesca Beccaria, OSC., “Francis and Clare of Assisi: the grace and exercise of contemplation”; and Patrizia Girolami, OCSO, “Living the contemplative dimension today”) and a statement from Msgr. José R. Carballo, OFM, Secretary of the CIVCSVA, on “The Year of the Consecrated Life: an ecclesial event”. The day concluded with an Eucharistic celebration presided by Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the CIVCSVA.
AnExperience in formation for Friars of the Holy Land Custody
A pilgrimage to the Franciscan places in Italy - Assisi, la Verna, Rieti Valley and Rome -, coordinated by the SGFS and organised by the Custody of the Holy Land, especially by the moderator of On-going Formation of the CTS, Br. Marcelo Cichinelli, OFM, took place from the 17th to the 27th of November 2014. The pilgrimage was considered an experience in on-going formation for Friars of the Custody with 25 years of profession. A formative stage was held in the General Curia on the 25th of November.
The Sending of Missionaries (SGME)
The missionary mandate was conferred on five of our missionary brothers in St. Mary of the Angels on the 23rd of November 2014 in the festive climate of the solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. These are their names and destinations:
Br. Mario Ricablanca, Filipino, for Myanmar,
Br. Peter Mwangi Wambungu, Kenyan, for the Province of St. Francis of Nairobi,
Br. Marco Freddi, of the Seraphic Province of Assisi, for South Sudan,
Br. Federico Gandolfi, of the Roman Province, for South Sudan,
Br. Marco Capecci, of the Seraphic Province in Assisi, for the Far East.
A formation Course for Rectors of Sanctuaries
The North Slave Conference organised and lived an interesting formative seminar on sanctuaries under the topic of: “The influence of Franciscan spirituality through the Sanctuaries of the Friars Minor; Proposals for promoting the spirituality of sanctuaries in the new evangelisation”, in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (Poland), from the 17th to the 19th of November 2014. There were dozens of Friar participants, the rectors of the numerous sanctuaries spread throughout the countries where the Friars of the Conference are present, not only of those on Polish territory.
The presenters during the meeting were: Br. Arturo Rios Lara, “The Sanctuaries and the New Evangelisation”; B. Massimo Tedoldi, “Franciscan Characteristics of the Sanctuary”; Msgr. Damian Muskus, OFM (Auxiliary Bishop of Cracow), “The Example ofKalwaria Zebrzydowska”; Br. Miljenko Steko OFM, President of UFME, “The Sanctuary of Medjugore”; Br. Gaspare Kapron, OFM, liturgist and theologian, a missionary in Bolivia, “The Experience of Latin America and theological reflections”.
Marcel Tshikez OFM, 150 questions about the Mass. The Franciscan Editing House of Kolwezi, 2014.
It is a simple, doctrinal, liturgical and very practical book. It will serve: to remind one of the principles of the liturgy; and for formation, both personal and communal,with regard to the Eucharistic celebration.
ALFONSO CAPECELATRO, The Life of Br. Lodovico da Casoria, Editrice Velar, Gorle 2013, pp.772.
On the occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Blessed Ludovico da Casoria (1814-2014) and of his upcoming canonisation (23.11.2014), the prestigious biography by Cardinal Alfonso Capecelatro, Archbishop of Capua,has been re-published. The volume is an indispensable source of knowledge about the life and works of the great Friar Minor. The first edition goes back to 1885 and was printed at the Accantoncelli Printing Works of Naples, one of the many works which the genius of the Friar of Casoria had set up. Written on the basis of first-hand testimonies, the text is undoubtedly a literary masterpiece which can be easily followed even though approximately 130 years have passed since the first edition. (Requests to: Libreria Internazionale Francescana in Assisi).
A digitalised book:
THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR, One faith in many cultures: the Franciscan experience (Una fede in molte culture: l’esperienza francescana), I.S.E. Venezia-Roma 2009.
The result of the work of The Service of Dialogue of the Order and of the collaboration of people from various cultural backgrounds, the fourth volume of the collection pays attention to culture and cultures. It could, therefore, constitute a good instrument for the formationof the Friars and for opening up a way for them to become involved in this complex and fascinating reality.
The book is in digital form and can be found at: iBookstore and Google Play Store.
Rome – The Female Franciscan Consecrated Life
The Higher Institute for Religious Sciences at the Pontifical University Antonianumproposes to establish a course of specialisation in the Female Franciscan Consecrated Life (from the 26thof January to the 7thof February 2015 and from the 15thto the 27thof June 2015) dedicated to the study of those experiences, especially of a Franciscan nature, which flourished between the XIX and XX centuries and enriched the ecclesial life with a variety of charisms. The aim is to accompany those institutes of the consecrated life engaged, in dialogue with contemporary culture, in a return to their sources and original inspiration.
The Message of the MG for World Day against AIDS
The Minister General has written a letter to all the Friars saying, among other things: “We, Franciscan Friars Minor, are called on to continue our efforts in three important areas connected to the struggle against this epidemic. First, we offer our commitment to prayer for all those who live with or are affected by HIV and AIDS...
Secondly, we must continue to offer our services through care centres,the pastoral care of the sick and to transforming our fraternities, parishes and structures into human and spiritual centres of welcome...
Thirdly, we must sustain our efforts to plan the struggle against AIDS advanced by the international community in conformity with the doctrine of the Catholic Church and Franciscan values...”
The General Chapter 2015
The upcoming General Chapter 2015, Fratres et Minores nostra ætate, will see the presence of about 160 Friars from all Continents.
The majority of them will be members: the members of the General Government of the Order, the Secretary General for the Missions and Evangelisation, the Secretary General for Formation and Studies, 90 Ministers Provincial, 8 Custodes of Autonomous Custodies and 14 Lay Brothers, one from each Conference.
The other participants will make up the staff of Officials: those in charge of the Chapter Secretariat, the minute takers, translators, interpreters, experts, those charged with the redaction of the Final Document and those of the Commissions for Liturgy and Logistics.
The Agenda of the Minister General
January:
1-2:MADRID: The Founding Chapter of the New Province of the Immaculate Conception
3-4: PALERMO, ITALY: Fraternal Visit to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (Sicily)
6: ROME, Basilica of St. Mary in Ara Cœli: Holy Mass
10:ROME: Meeting of the Ministers General of the Franciscan Family
12-30:ROME, Tempo Forte
16:ROME, PUA: The Feast of the Grand Chancellor
18:Meeting of the Definitors General of the Franciscan Family
19-29:ROME: Meeting with the new Ministers Provincial and Custodes
30-31Fraternal Visit to Indonesia, West Papua, East Timor and Myanmar
NEW PROVINCIALS, CUSTODES and PRESIDENTS.
BR. JOSÉ JUMA MANUEL, Custody of St. Clare, Mozambique
BR. ORLANDO CABRERA, The Missionary Province of St. Anthony of padua, Bolivia
BR. CAROLO MYEONG-HUAN HO, Prov. of the Holy Martyrs of Korea, Korea
BR. EDWIN ALVARADO SEGURA, Prov. of Our lady of Guadalupe, Central America, Guatemala
BR. MARJAN ČUDEN, Prov. of Holy Cross, Slovenia
BR. NERI MENOR VARGAS, Prov. of the XII Apostles, Peru
BR. CARLOS A. BREIS PEREIRA, Prov. of St. Anthony, Brazil
BR. PATRICK LONSDALE, Dependent Custody of the Immaculate Conception, Great Britain
BR. KEVIN DESSINGA, Foundation of “Notre Damed’Afrique”, Congo-Brazzaville
Best Wishes for
A Happy New Year 2015
to all the friends of “Fraternitas”