On February 14-18, 2022, the friars of the Province of St. Jerome in Croatia celebrated their Ordinary Chapter at the Sveti Duh [Holy Spirit] Friary in Zagreb, Croatia.
The Chapter opened with Mass and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, for the benefit of the Capitulars and the Province as a whole. The Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, the Praeses of the Chapter, also presided over the Mass.
On February 16, Friar Miljenko HONTIĆ, began his service as the new Minister Provincial. He had been elected by letter on February 2, 2022. Prior to that, he had been serving as the Guardian of the St. Anthony of Padua Friary in Vinkovci. Friar Miljenko made his profession of faith before the Minister General, during the solemn celebration of Midday Prayer in the chapel of the Holy Spirit Friary. The confreres present pledged to obey and respect their new Minister Provincial. Mass was then celebrated in the St. Anthony of Padua Church, presided over by the new Minister Provincial, together with all the Capitulars, clerics, postulants, and seminarians. The Mass was also attended by many of God’s people, in particular, the Secular Franciscans, the Franciscan Youth and the Militia of the Immaculata. They came to share in the joy of this important moment and to pray for the smooth running of the Chapter, about which they were kept very well informed, thanks to the service of the Chapter Secretariat.
The Chapter took place in an atmosphere of fraternal discussion, with much sincerity, underlining the challenges, aims and weaknesses of the Province which still need to be resolved. Many Capitulars discussed their experiences of daily fraternal life, pastoral events and personal struggles. The Minister General asked each friar to wholeheartedly accept his responsibility in promoting the good of the Province.
On the last day of the Chapter, the members of the Provincial Definitory were elected. They are: Friars Martin JAKOVIĆ (Vicar); Josip PETONJIĆ (Exactor); Zlatko VLAHEK (Secretary); and Pero DŽIDA and Vladimir VIDOVIĆ (Definitors). The office of the Provincial Econom was entrusted to Friar Marko VRDOLJAK.
The second part of the Chapter will start on April 25, 2022, and will again be held at the Holy Spirit Friary in Zagreb. At that time, the Guardians will be elected as well as the heads of various Provincial offices.
We entrust our Province to Divine Providence and to the intercession of the Immaculate Conception, St. Francis and St. Clare.
Friar Vladimir VIDOVIĆ
