As the goal of full unification draws ever closer (2025), the Province of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo-Molise) and the Province of St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia) conducted a new inter-Provincial Assembly on February 23-24, 2024. The event was held at the San Giovanni XXIII Formation House in Larino, in the Italian region of Molise.
Many friars from both Jurisdictions actively participated in the Assembly. It was carried out in a joyful, serene atmosphere and, as always, included community prayer. The event was led by Michele VISENTIN, a professor of educational psychology and guidance, philosophy and pedagogy. He is also on the staff of the counseling company “Ethosjob – Human Caring.” He provided guidance to the Italian Province of St. Francis of Assisi (Central Italy) during its unification process, and is still collaborating with the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy).
The main purpose of the Assembly was to arrive at an articulate and shared understanding of the current status of both Provinces. The Assembly focused in particular on our service in some fundamental areas of our life and apostolate, such as, our work at shrines, as chaplains, doing parish and vocation ministry, providing initial formation, carrying out socio-charitable activities and living a fraternal lifestyle. The friars reflected on all these areas—as individuals, in small study groups and in the full Assembly. Finally, they summarized the findings of the Assembly and will use the results to develop additional support tools for guiding and leading both Provincial governments.
Before the Assembly concluded, the friars discussed possible names for the future unified Province of Abruzzo-Molise and Puglia.
Friar Massimo Antonio RUGGIERO
