On February 21-25, 2022, the Ordinary Chapter of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in France-Belgium took place at the Saint Maximilien Friary in Lourdes, France.
The Minister General Friar Carlos TROVARELLI presided, assisted by the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), Friar Giovanni VOLTAN and by the Minister Provincial of the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy), Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI. Friar Joaquín Ángel AGESTA CUEVAS, the former Assistant General for the FIMP Federation, also participated during the first and second sessions. The friars were also delighted to have as their guest the Most Reverend François BUSTILLO, OFM Conv., Bishop of Ajaccio, France, and former Custos of the Custody of France-Belgium.
The first day of the Chapter was dedicated to personal prayer. The reflection for this spiritual desert day was led by a Capuchin friar living in Lourdes. After the reports were read as prescribed by the Directory for Chapters, and discussions and group work had taken place, the friars defined the work to be done for the second part of the Chapter and for the Custodial Four-Year Plan.
On February 24, 2022, Friar Jean François Marie AUCLAIR was elected, by a large margin, as the Provincial Custos. The following were then elected as members of the Custodial Definitory: Friar Bernard Marie CERLES, Custodial Vicar; Friar Jack MARDESIC, Custodial Secretary; and Friar Emidio Maria UBALDI, Definitor.
The second part of the Chapter is scheduled for April 18, 2022, again at the friary in Lourdes.
Friar Thomas Marie André BOURQUEROD, Chapter Secretary
