On November 25-30, 2024, the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in South Korea celebrated the second part of its Ordinary Provincial Chapter.
Before officially beginning the Chapter, the friars celebrated a memorial Mass for a recently deceased confrere, Friar Mario FABRIZI, who had served for many years in the Province. The sisters from the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi (SFMA) also participated in the Mass. The friars also commemorated Sister Lauretana MIATELLO, SFMA, who had worked with Friar Mario in Korea and died shortly after Friar Mario had passed.
The Chapter was presided over by the Minister Provincial, Friar Benedetto (Seung Jae) BAEK. Also present was the Assistant General for the Federation of Asian Minors Conventual (FAMC), Friar Giuseppe Myoungjin PARK.
As the work of the Chapter began, the Capitulars discussed and approved the 2024-28 Provincial Four-Year Plan. After that, various motions were discussed and approved.
Next, the Capitulars elected the Guardians of the communities and some formators. The newly elected Guardians are:
1. Friar David KIM (Uk), St. Francis of Assisi Friary, Hannam-dong, Seoul;
2. Friar Giuseppe NOH (Won-hoi), St. Bonaventure Friary, Hyehwa-dong, Seoul. He will also serve as the Rector of the Formation House and the Director of the Postulancy Program;
3. Friar Aloisio HONG (Min-yong), St. Clare Friary, Incheon;
4. Friar Andrea LEE (Chang-woo), St. Andrew Kim Tae Go’n Friary, Tongjin;
5. Friar Giacomo KIM (Hyo Gun), St. Paul Jeng Ha Sang Friary, Yangpyeong;
6. Friar Daegun Andrea KIM (Yong-ki), Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. Friary, Daegu;
7. Friar Anselmo LIM (Dong-ouck), St. Anthony of Padua Friary, Daeyeon-dong, Busan;
8. Friar Marie James PARK (Sang-kyu), Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Friary, Ilkwang, Busan;
9. Friar Marco JEONG (Jin Chol), St. Maximilian Kolbe Friary, Torrance, California, USA;
Formators:
10. Friar Gabriele KIM (Hae-won), Novice Master; and
11. Friar Justin LEE (Min-woo), Director of the Post-Novitiate Program.
The Chapter concluded with a commemoration of the friars of the Province who had passed away.
Friar Stefan LEE (Dahan), Provincial Secretary
