On September 22, 2025, the 100ᵗʰ anniversary of the opening of the Conventual Franciscan mission in China (1925/2025) was commemorated during the Ordinary Assembly of the Urbanist Poor Clares. The event took place at the Santa Rosa Monastery in Viterbo, Italy.
The Assembly was attended by the outgoing Federal Council (led for twelve years by its President, Sister Damiana ARDESI) and twenty-five other sisters, including abbesses and delegates from various other monasteries. There were Poor Clares from Mexico and Romania in attendance as well. The Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, was present, along with the Postulator General, Friar Raimundo Valdo NOGUEIRA, and the former Director of the Franciscan Missionary Center of the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), Friar Paolo FIASCONARO.
The Poor Clares had gathered in Viterbo to elect their new President and Federal Council. They also wanted to deepen the theme of mission by celebrating the 100ᵗʰ anniversary of the mission in China as a moment of missionary growth and an opportunity to look toward new horizons.
During the Assembly, Friar Paolo presented the book “Cina – L’alba missionaria dei Frati Minori Conventuali” (China – The Missionary Dawn of the Friars Minor Conventual), which he wrote jointly with Friar Matteo LUO. The book was published by the Missionary Center. Its first section recounts the turbulent period of world history that led up to the mission’s opening in 1925. There had been two suppressions of religious Orders and a consequent collapse in the number of Conventual Franciscan friars. Vocations slowly began to recover after World War I, thanks to the missionary revival led by two Ministers General: Friars Domenico TAVANI and Alfonso ORLINI.
The second section of the book was written by Friar Matteo LUO. It tells the story, in ten chapters, of the life and pastoral work of the many friars who served the mission in China during the twenty-seven years it was open (1925-1952). After the book presentation, a documentary film was shown, entitled: The Franciscan and Evangelical Silk Road. It was created by the Missionary Center. The film highlighted the places where the friars lived and the diocese where the four Conventual Franciscan Apostolic Prefects, along with other friars, carried out intensive pastoral work among the Chinese people. A short documentary was also presented, showcasing the Missionary Center’s work during its ten years of summer activity on the banks of the Tiber River.
At the conclusion of the Assembly, the sisters spontaneously thanked the Order and the Missionary Center for having commemorated the 100th anniversary and, above all, for the grace and renewed missionary commitment they showed through their tangible support and solidarity.
Friar Paolo FIASCONARO
