On June 16-20, 2024, a meeting for formators of the Federazione Intermediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP) took place at the Franciscanum in Assisi. The theme of the meeting was: “The Integral Formation of the Person and Psycho-Spiritual Integration.”
The meeting was originally intended for formators of the FIMP Federation and indeed, seventeen formators belonging to the Provinces of Romania, Spain and Italy participated. However, a formator from the Province of Croatia, part of the Centralis Europae Foederatio (CEF), also attended.
Father Vincenzo PERCASSI, a Comboni missionary and psychologist, led the friars in addressing this fundamental topic. He has served as the novice master of the International Novitiate for Francophone Africa and has written a book called “The Exercise of Freedom,” published by the Dehonians. It is a synthesis of his experience as a formator.
Over the next few days, the friars learned theoretical principles and practical means for integrating their physical, emotional and spiritual natures. In particular they learned that we are the primary drivers of our own formation. Hence the importance of taking care of one’s own self-development, which cannot be outsourced and must be a lifelong commitment.
One morning during the meeting was reserved for a short pilgrimage led by the minister of the local Secular Franciscan fraternity, Ottaviano TURRIONI. The friars visited Piandarca, Italy, where St. Francis preached to the birds and Cannara, Italy, where he founded the Third Order.
Friar Thomas BOURQUEROD
