On March 12-16, 2018, a group of friars from the Italian Province of St. Francis of Assisi (Central Italy) attended a retreat preached by Friar Jude WINKLER on the topic of conversion.
The verse chosen to convey that theme was Mark 1:15: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Friar Jude used the Gospel of Mark as an example of conversion, especially emphasizing the simplicity and humility of Jesus in that Gospel as a model for the Franciscan life.
The retreat was held at the retreat house run by the Capuchin Sisters in Foligno, Italy.
The retreat was one of the initiatives organized by the Province Formation Commission in the first year of the new Province. The retreat took place in response to the Four-Year Plan of the Province (PPQ) to make the friars’ relationship with God their prime concern during the year. The Province will hold an Extraordinary Chapter and a Provincial Assembly in June of this year.
Friar Jude WINKLER, Assistant General for the Conventual Franciscan Federation (CFF)
Photo: The friars participating in the retreat.