On November 6-8, 2019, the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception and Blessed Bonaventure of Potenza in the Philippines celebrated an Extraordinary Custodial Chapter. The Chapter was held at the St. Joseph Friary, in the Mag-Asawang Ilat neighborhood of Tagaytay City.
Twenty-eight capitulars participated in the Chapter, including the Assistant General for the Federation of Asian Minor Conventuals (FAMC), Friar Benedetto BAEK, and the Minister Provincial of the Mother Province of Our Seraphic Father St. Francis in Italy (Naples), Friar Cosimo ANTONINO. Some auditors were also present, namely, the Provincial Econom, Friar Claudio IORIS; a Provincial Definitor, Friar Irenaeus DAEP; and three friars who recently professed their solemn vows.
The Chapter opened on November 6, with Evening Prayer and a welcome dinner. On November 7, the friars attended some spiritual conferences presented by Friar Albert MARFIL, OFM, on “The Call to Holiness in Fraternity based on Pope Francis’ Gaudete et Exultate.” The same evening, the temporarily professed friars and novices enlivened the fraternity with song and dance presentations.
On November 8, once the Chapter preliminaries were completed, the Provincial Custos, Friar Francis Victor MATEO, provided a brief presentation on future possibilities for the Custody and gave an update on the approved Motions of the last Ordinary Custodial Chapter. Likewise, the Minister Provincial shared some information about the Province of Naples and the status of the Filipino friars who are assigned to the Province. In addition, the Custodial Econom, Friar Andrew DATOY, presented the Custody’s annual financial report.
The Chapter listened to a presentation on the results of a market research study conducted by the Asian Appraisal Company, Inc., in order to validate the friars’ proposal to start a ministry for the elderly. The Capitulars discussed the matter in small groups and in assembly. Later, they voted to approve the Custody’s new ministry: a resident care facility for the elderly and the physically challenged, in partnership with Mr. Eleuterio D. CORONEL, a lay collaborator.
Custodial Communications Office
Photos: Friar Eduardus Yohanes PADIYANA
