From Tuesday, December 3, to Thursday, December 5, 2024, the Provinces of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo-Molise) and St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia) held their first Pre-Chapter Assembly as outlined by the new Directory for Provincial Chapters. This event took place at the San Giovanni XXIII Formation House in Larino, located in Italy’s Campobasso area. The Assembly is part of the preparations leading up to the first “unitary” Ordinary Provincial Chapter, which is scheduled for March 17-21, 2025.
A total of forty-seven friars from both Jurisdictions attended the Assembly. Also present were the Minister General, Friar Carlos Alberto TROVARELLI, and the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), Friar Giovanni VOLTAN.
The event included moments of liturgical prayer. The Capitulars voted to confirm the confreres who had been proposed by both Provincial governments to draft the evaluation document that would later emerge from the Assembly. Next, they listened to reports on both Provinces made by the General Visitator, Friar Giovanni. Group work followed. On the morning of December 4, the outgoing Ministers Provincial, Friar Mauro M. DE FILIPPIS DELFICO (Abruzzo-Molise) and Friar Daniele M. MAIORANO (Puglia), presented their reports. Next, the Capitulars divided into four groups to resume discussions. On the last day, the secretaries of each group gave a brief summary of their group’s work. The summaries were followed by an extensive discussion involving the friars from both current Provinces.
The Assembly was conducted in an atmosphere of joy and simplicity. The event was characterized by mutual openness, despite the undeniable uncertainty surrounding the historic steps that both Jurisdictions are about to take. Together, they are seeking the path the Lord has laid out for them, so that even amidst changing institutional structures, the Conventual Franciscan friars in these regions may continue to offer good witness as followers of Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis.
Friar Massimo Antonio RUGGIERO
