On April 1-12, 2019, the General Definitory, led by the Minister General, Friar Marco TASCA, met for its fiftieth session and for a spiritual retreat. The events took place at the Marian Shrine of Vepric in Makarska, Croatia.
The first week was dedicated to the retreat, guided by the meditations and exhortations of Friar Jude WINKLER, the Assistant General for the Conventual Franciscan Federation (CFF).
At the end of the retreat, the Minister General and the Definitors visited some sites and shrines in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they were fraternally and cordially welcomed by the Friars Minor of the Province of Mostar.
On Sunday April 7, there was a pilgrimage to Šibenik, to the National Shrine of St. Nicholas Tavilić who once lived in our friary and was the first Saint canonized in Croatia. The friars at our St. Francis of Assisi community celebrated Mass with the Definitors and also provided meals. In the afternoon, the Defintors visited the cathedral, where they were welcomed by the Most Reverend Tomislav ROGIĆ, Bishop of Šibenik, Croatia.
The following day, they visited the city of Split where they met with the Most Reverend Marin Barišić, Archbishop of Split-Makarska, Croatia. After celebrating Mass at our St. Francis of Assisi friary, the Definitors went on to visit the church, eat lunch and enjoy some fraternal time together.
Returning to Vepric, the Definitors spent the rest of the second week meeting for their fiftieth session.
Friar Miljenko HONTIĆ, Assistant General for the CEF
