On Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., Friar Domenico Paolo DI RIDOLFI professed his solemn vows into the hands of Friar Mauro M. DE FILIPPIS DELPHIC, the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo-Molise). The event took place at the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Silvi Marina, Italy.
Friar Mauro presided over the celebration with the cordial participation of most of the friars of the Province. Others present at the liturgy included Friar Maurizio DI PAOLO, the Procurator General; Friar Giovani VOLTAN, the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP); Friar Tomasz SZYMCZAK, the Secretary General; and numerous family members and friends.
Friar Domenico was born on March 30, 1985 in Atri, Italy. Starting in 2013, he underwent a period of vocational discernment. In April of 2015, he began a pre-postulancy period in Pescara, Italy. On September 23, 2015, he entered the postulancy program in Osimo, Italy. He then carried out his novitiate in Assisi and professed his temporary vows there on August 24, 2018. Subsequently, after four years as a clerical student in Assisi, Rivotorto and Rome, he obtained a bachelor’s degree at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure (Seraphicum) in Rome. He returned to his home Province in September of 2022, where he managed the gift shop at the Shrine at the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano, Italy. He is currently attending a licentiate course in Franciscanism at the Seraphicum.
Strong emotions were felt throughout the entire celebration, as noted in the faces of Friar Domenico and his parents. His parents were particularly grateful to God and to the Order for having welcomed Friar Domenico into the ranks of the sons of the Poverello of Assisi. During his homily, the Minister Provincial expressed his great joy at having been given the grace to celebrate, for the second time during his term of office, the definitive “yes” of a young friar from the small Province of Abruzzo.
After the celebration, all the participants congratulated Friar Domenico and his family and took part in a festive reception at the Parish.
The profession of a friar is always a great joy. We thank the Lord for the gift of the life of our brother Dominic, and we ask that he may constantly strive for perfect charity in the service of God, the Church and mankind.
Friar Paride ADMIRATI, Provincial Secretary
