FRATERNITAS
Vol. XLVIII. Nr. 222 - OFM Roma – Email: - 01.04. 2015
Communications during the 2015 General Chapter
The 2015 General Chaptermarks a new stage in the area of communications in the Order. E-mail has been used to communicate between the Offices of the General Curia and Provinces and for sending notices and documents, though we have often had difficulty in finding the correct address of a Minister, Custos and even of an Entity. Addresses are often changed in the present world and these changes are not always communicated to the Offices of the Curia. It has been decided, on the recommendation of the OFM Communications Office, to assign an address with an exclusive username and password, which the user (Minister, Custos, etc.) can change when necessary, to each entity (Province, Custody, etc.) on the site of the Order (ofm.org) by using the number already assigned by the General Secretariat for official communications. It is thought that the difficulties which arose in recent years will be avoided and will thus ensure greater continuity in communication even after the normal changes of government in the Entities.
RESERVED AREA
Thedocuments of the 2015 General Chapter, therefore, will be found on the website ( of the Orderand the Chapter Members will receive a usernameandpasswordwhich will allow them access the Reserved Area of the site under the tab “General Chapter”.They can readthe documents “on-line,” download them later for study or print those they are interested in. The savings from the cost of printing and posting will be notable - an aspect that should not be undervalued at this time.
The members of the Chapter will, in this way, have access to the original documents, the translations just made and the notes of the secretaries of the various work groups without having to wait for the printed and photographic reproductions in the various languages to be put in the mail boxes.
Printers and photocopiers will be available for those who need them, but it is hoped that the new system will reduce the use of paper to a minimum, offering a concrete sign of sobriety in the use of natural resources in line with our commitment to respect creation.
It is expected that many Friars will have an electronic device (Smartphone, tablet, portable computer, etc.) with which they will be able to read, correct and exchange texts and observations on the work being done during the work of the Chapter. Following the indications of the Minister General, the Secretariat of the Chapter will try to encourage, as far as possible, a climate of dialogue, conversation and exchange through the means of communication.
The Communications Office will activate a specific web-site dedicated to the work of the Chapter so that the Order, and anyone else interested, will be informed about the progress of the Chapter.
LIVE STREAMING
Every Entity of the Order was requested to send in a video-clip, of a maximum of five minutes,to be projected in the Assembly Hall at the beginning of the various Plenary Sessions of the Chapter in order to make the Friars of the different parts of the world, the people with whom they live and among whom they work "visibly" present.
The Communications Office, on its part, will offer the possibility to experience in real time some significant moments of the Chapter through “live-streaming” and, later, a video-recording for those who wish to follow closely our more powerful moments.
The Communications Office of the Chapter will provide for the circulation of news and short notices about the Chapter work in the three official languages of the Order: English, Italian and Spanish.
PRAYER/MESSAGE
Alongside all the technological initiative, however, we still count on the ancient, but effective, Franciscan means of communication, that is, on the sincere and constant prayer of the many Friars and Sisters of the entire world which will support the work of the Chapter Members. A letter could be sent by post to the General Chapter at; “Domus Pacis” (Piazza Porziuncola, 1, 06081 Santa Maria degli Angeli, Perugia PG, Italia). A message of encouragement to the Chapter could always be sent to the e-mail address of the Chapter: .
HAPPY EASTER
The Friars of the Secretariat of the Chapter, together with those of the Office of Communications, are pleased to take advantage of the occasion to wish all the readers of Fraternitas a joyful and peaceful Easter in the Risen Lord.
Br. William Short, OFM,
Secretary
Br. Sergiusz Baldyga, OFM,
Vice-Secretary
Br. Joseph Magro, OFM,
Communications Office
Forming for Mission
The annual meeting on formation, with the topic of "forming for mission", was held in the International Fraternity “Blessed Gabriele M. Allegra, OFM” of Rome, in the afternoon of the 11th of March 2015. The topic was presented by Br. Massimo Tedoldi, OFM, Secretary General for the Missions and Evangelisation, and Br. Vidal Rodriguez Lopez, OFM, Secretary General for Formation and Studies.
There were references to the Pastoral Exhortation “Evangelli gaudium” of Pope Francis in both presentations in this year that is dedicated to the Consecrated Life, because there are horizons in both the mission and formation which challenge us to go forward as a Franciscan Order in an "outgoing" Church in which all of us are "disciples-missionaries".
The Friars who are studying at the Pontifical University Antonianum and other Roman centres and those who live in the International College while following a common life project and a programme of ongoing formation, accompanied by the team responsible for it, participated in the meeting.
Seminar on Ecumenism by the Service for Dialogue
The commission for “The Service for Dialogue” of the Order has carried out its last activity of animation of this six-year period with a seminar on ecumenical dialogue at the Institute for Ecumenical Studies (ISE), in the Friary of St. Francis of the Vineyard, Venice, from the 16th to the 21st of February last. The subject chosen for this fifth seminar of the period was: "Ecumenism in view of Interreligious dialogue".
The choice of topic was for the purpose of underlining the need for dialogue among Christians so that dialogue with other religions and cultures might have more credibility. Interreligious dialogue is not possible for us if there is no dialogue between Christians! The seminar helped to deepen and understand better the diversity and richness of the Eastern Churches and of those derived from the Reform of Martin Luther. During our meditation we prayed with the enrichment of the spirituality of Islam and Buddhism. There was an opportunity to experience the possibility of allowing oneself to be introduced to the mystery of God through the faith of non-Christians.
Reserved Area and Module
You have received, by e-mail, a 'username' and 'password' which will permit you to access the "Reserved Area" of the General Chapter on the website of the Order: You will find the documents and other information about the General Chapter there. If you need help to access the "Reserved Area" you can call on Br. Joseph Magro of the Communications Office for help. You are asked to fill out the "Personal Information Module" (Letter-Module) in the Reserved Area as soon as possible.
Franciscan Books
Chiara Codazzi, Suor Chiara Ricci tra storia e memoria. Storiografia sulla fondatrice delle Francescane Angeline [Sr. Chiara Ricci between history and memory. Historiography on the foundress of the Francescane Angeline], Ed. Antonianum, Rome, 2014, 416 pages.
The book highlights the influence that the historiographical images gave of her over time, brings out the causes of the differences which arose between the memory of the events of her life and that of her role as foundress, and, finally, gives some significant elements for understanding how the charismatic memory relevant to her school remained active and was developed in the religious family founded by her, though without any explicit reference to her person.
St. Mary of the Angels – The Festival of Pardon (Porziuncola)
Following the extraordinary intervention of Massimo Cacciari last year, another well-known contemporary thinker, Enzo Bianchi, Prior of the Community of Bose, was a guest at the Sanctuary of the Porziuncola. On the occasion of the Feast of the Porziuncola and in the broader aspect of the Jubilee in 2016 (800 years since the granting of the indulgence to the Porziuncola as St. Francis requested from Pope Honorius III), he gave a conference on the significance of the Indulgence in the "Domus Pacis" at 7 pm on the 1st of August 2014.
MANDOLINI GIANCARLO, I Frati Minori delle Marche. In guerra, il passaggio del fronte, la resistenza, Provincia Picena S. Giacomo della Marca [The Friars Minor of Le Marche, in war, crossing the front, the resistance. The Province of St. James of Le Marche], BMGrafica, Osimo 2014, pp. 240.
The author knocked on the doors of convents, listened to accounts of experiences and consulted the archives in order to have an overall view of the wartime events in the certainty that the greater part of the Friars, requested by the Ministers Provincial, had contributed to helping those who were in need: Jews, conscripts and evacuees.
Meeting of the OFM Office for Development and Fund-Raising
A meeting between those responsible for the General Secretariat for Missions and Evangelisation and for the General Secretariat for Formation and Studies with the new Executive Assistants of the Minister General for the Office of Development and Fund-raising, Fr. John O'Connor,OFM, and Mario Dicicco, OFM, from the United States, was held in the OFM General Curia in Rome on the 10th of March 2015.
The aim of the meeting was to obtain direct knowledge of the mission and study projects of the Franciscan Order which are financially helped through the secretariats; to know the practices of presentation and evaluation of the processes of the ordinary and extraordinary projects, especially the accompaniment oftheir implementation, for the purpose of coordinating the initiatives of fund-raising in the various charitable institutions which can help us.
Letter of the Conference of Ministers General:
V Centenary of the Bull of Pope Leo X
It is an important moment in our journey towards the VIII Centenary of the Assisi Indulgence (2016) andthe V Centenary of the Bull of Pope Leo X "Ite vos", also called the “Bulla unionis” (2017).
... while the Friars in Assisi fulfil the journey proposed, our entire Order watches them attentively and creatively tries to follow their example by proposing similar ways on the national or regional levels. We will be helped in this process by a series of messages coming from Assisi, ideas and suggestions to copy or to receive inspiration for inventing something significant in the places where we live.
More information and the entire letter of the Ministers can be found on the site:
The Friars of Assisi going on foot to Rome
Ten Franciscan Friars, belonging to the different male branches of the Order founded by Francis of Assisi, began a pilgrimage to Rome, on foot, on the 6th of March. The pilgrimage was organised through meetings,prayer and testimony of Fraternity. It was divided into seven stages, lived during seven days, for a total of 185 km.
The Franciscans of Italy meet in Venice
The Franciscans of Italy met in the House of Spirituality “Santuari Antoniani” in Camposampiero (PD), Venice, from the 2nd to the 6th of March. It was to initiate the XXXIX General Assembly of the Conference of the Union of the Ministers Provincial of the Franciscan Family of Italy. The topic of the annual meeting, which falls, on this occasion, within the Year of the Consecrated Life, was: "Being in order to be joyful witnesses with Brother Francis".
A Course on Gregorian Chant
A course on Gregorian Chan, under the patronage of "The Pontifical Institute for Sacred Music" will be held at the Porziuncola in Assisi from the 6th to the 11th of July 2015, [
The hagiography of Bernardine of Siena
A study seminar will be held on the 15th of April, 2015, on the occasion of the publication of the the book: "The Hagiography of Saint Bernardine (1450-1460)", under the care of Daniele Solvi, SISMEL-Edizioni del Galluzzo, Florence, 2014. The seminar is organised by the Higher School of Medieval and Franciscan Studies of the Pontifical University Antonianum. [
Franciscan English Language Programme
A course of English language, “Franciscan English Language Programme”, will be held at the "Franciscan International Study Centre", Canterbury, England, from the 5th to the 31st of July 2015. The programme is for members of the OFM and OFMConv.of the whole world. The course this summer is for beginners. An intermediate level course will be offered next summer.
The Programme:
Daily liturgy, 20 hours of classroom instruction per week, Saturday excursions. For further information, contact Br. Tom Reist Email: Tel: +44 1227 769 349
Agenda of the
Minister General
April:
1-4:ROME: Easter Celebrations
7-8:PADUA: Chapter of Mats of the 6 Provinces of the North of Italy
9-19: USA: De Paul University Convention, Chicago
20-22:Poland: Meeting with Benefactors
23-30:ROME: Preparation for the 2015 General Chapter
NEW VisitatorS
Br. Giacinto D’Angelo, OFM.
The OFM Salerno-Lucana Prov. of the Immaculate Conception, Italy, for the Fraternity of St. Isidore's College in Rome
Br Saul Zamorano, OFM.
Prov. of the Most Holy Trinity, Chile, for the Fraternity of Bl. G. Allegra, in Rome
Br. Dominik Daniel Valer, OFM.
Prov. of St. Wenseslav, Czech Republic, for the Prov. of the Most Holy Saviour (Slovakia)
Br. Marko Mrše, OFM.
Prov. of the Most Holy Redeemer,Croatia, for the Prov. of Holy Cross (Slovenia)
Br. Samuel Cegłowski, OFM.
Prov. of St. Hedwig, Poland, for the Prov. of St. Michael the Archangel (The Ukraine)
Br. Jerzy Witosław Sztyk, OFM.
Prov. of the Assumption of the B.V.M, Poland, for the Prov. of St. Francisof Assisi (Poland)
Br. Joxe Maria Arregi Guridi, OFM.
Prov. of Our Lady of Arantzazu, Spain, for the Prov. of Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
Br. German Faustino Tax Bulux, OFM.
Prov. of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Panamá andCentral-America, forthe Prov. of San Felipe de Jesús (Mexico)
A Happy Easter
to all our readers!