From July 26 to August 23, 2020, twelve young friars of the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP) carried out their second novitiate, in preparation for solemn profession, at the Franciscanum in Assisi.
The participants included Friars Flavio AGOSTINI, Flavio César LAURA CHARCA, Bernardo Maria VANNINI and Salvatore M. SECHI from the Italian Province of St. Francis of Assisi (Central Italy); Friar Paride ADMIRATI from the Province of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo); Friar Robert CALLEJA from the Province of St. Paul the Apostle in Malta; Friars Giuseppe Paolo Maria VANTAGGIATO and Andrea Antonio D’ALESSANDRO from the Province of St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia); Friar Nicolas ABOU ANNY from the Provincial Custody of the Orient and the Holy Land; Friars Jonathan MUTUO and Sylvester Eugene KOOMSON from the Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana; and finally, Brother Paolo NICOSIA, a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement.
The second novitiate was coordinated by Friar Bernardino HOSPITAL POSADA from the Province of Our Lady of Montserrat in Spain and by Friar Giuseppe Franco TONDO from Puglia.
The concern over contagion, which this year limited pilgrimages to some Franciscan places, did not prevent the participants from consciously savoring the work of the Father. Indeed, He called them to Himself so that they might be near Him and go forth into the world to proclaimin the style of St. Francis of Assisithat the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Various religious and laity made many valuable contributions to the program. We sincerely thank Sisters Roberta VINERBA and Elena GOZZI, the Poor Clares of Montone, Donatella FORLANI, Friars Giancarlo CORSINI and Giovanni VOLTAN, the Conventual Franciscan General Commission for Initial and Ongoing Formation, Simona SEGOLONI, and, in particular, Friar Antonello M. FANELLI for his fraternal attention, Friar Gianni CAPPELLETTO for his very worthwhile biblical contribution and Friar Francesco SCIALPI for his exemplary liturgical-existential presentation on the rite of solemn profession. We also give special thanks to Sister Giulia LUCCI from the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi for her maternal assistance and to all the sisters of the Hermitage of the Trinity in Assisi.
Friar Bernardino HOSPITAL POSADA
Friar Giuseppe Franco TONDO
