On the morning of August 29, 2026, the friars of the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Italy (Assisi) celebrated the temporary profession of nine novices who had just concluded their year of novitiate. The novices were accompanied by their formators: Novice Master Friar Federico SANTOLIN and Vice Novice Master Friar Jonathan MUTUO. The candidates professed the evangelical counsels into the hands of their respective Ministers Provincial.
The ceremony took place in the Lower Church of the Papal Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, in the presence of the novices’ families—some of whom had traveled from abroad—as well as many friends and acquaintances who, in various ways, had accompanied them on their formation journey. Others present included the Vicar General of the Order, Friar Igor SALMIČ; the Procurator General, Friar Maurizio DI PAOLO; and the Postulator General, Friar Raimundo Valdo NOGUEIRA.
The Custos of the Sacred Convent, Friar Marco MORONI, presided over the solemn rite, accompanied by hymns performed by a choir composed of young people, nuns, and friars under the direction of Friar Emanuel CHIRICHEȘ.
In his homily, the Custos focused on the theme of “perfect charity” and reflected on the profound meaning of the profession formula. He emphasized that the perfection to which consecrated persons are called is not a form of perfectionism. Rather, it consists in integrating into one’s life the Gospel’s call to perfection—“be perfect”—with its call to mercy—“be merciful.” True perfection, in fact, is mercy.
Lived in fraternity and carried out through self-giving, one’s profession of vows therefore does not represent a choice to live a “perfect” life. Instead, it is a commitment to keep one’s gaze constantly fixed on Jesus, allowing oneself to be guided by Him along the path of one’s vocation.
The fraternity of the Sacred Convent thus joyfully welcomed the temporary profession of Friars Alexis Marie CAMPINHO LEMOS, Jérôme Marie JACQUEMIN, and Mickaël Marie RINEAU of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in France-Belgium; Friars Ante ĆIBARIĆ, Vedran KAMENEČKI, and Filip PANZA of the Province of St. Jerome in Croatia; Friar Andrea Celestino Pio ACQUAVIVA, of the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy); Friar Giovanni Maria AVALLONE of the Italian Province of the Immaculate Conception (Sicily-Calabria); and Friar Vittorio MINETOLA of the Italian Province of St. Joseph of Cupertino (Abruzzo-Molise-Puglia).
The friars of the Sacred Convent extend their best wishes to the nine newly professed friars. May they continue their formation journey and their studies with joy and success, growing in fraternity and in the following of Christ according to the spirit of St. Francis.
Friar Silvano BIANCO
Custodial Secretary
