2025 got underway with the publication of a book by Friar Felice AUTIERI, OFM Conv., entitled: “The Friars Minor Conventual – A History: From 1517 to the Present Day” (1150 pages). The book is part of a series called: “Franciscan Sources and Studies” edited by Friar Luciano BERTAZZO, OFM Conv., who also wrote the introduction to the new book.
The book is available in Italian only. It is a historical reconstruction of the Conventual Franciscan family which has been present since the origins of the Franciscan Order under the name “Communitas.” It gained legal recognition after the friars of the Observance were approved in 1517. The historical narrative unfolds from that date to the present day.
The book is divided into ten parts. The first part offers some historical context, beginning with the division of the Order and the Papal Bull Ite vos. It continues with a historical overview from the 16th to the 21st century. The second part covers reforms linked to the Conventuals, with particular focus on the “Reformed Conventuals.” The third part discusses the “suppressions,” distinguishing between those within the Church and those imposed by secular states. It first presents the suppression of the Order in France, Spain, and Portugal, followed by the suppressions of the Anglican and Protestant schisms and the Innocentian suppression. Then, it tackles the complex issue of secular suppressions, including those related to the French Revolution and Napoleon’s occupation of various European states, as well as the secular suppressions of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The fourth part examines the presence of the Order on all five continents, followed by the development of missions and the important issue of missionary formation. The fifth part explores the development of institutional elements, starting with the Order’s government and structures, the history of the formation of religious brothers, the Constitutions, and the habit of the Conventuals. It then moves on to the Order’s service to the Church as popes, cardinals, bishops, its involvement in the Roman Curia. A significant section is dedicated to the friars of the Order who served as Inquisitors. The sixth part deals with the Conventuals’ involvement in the Councils of Trent, Vatican I and Vatican II. It then examines the Order’s history of cultural and spiritual formation, beginning with the St. Bonaventure College and other centers within the Order’s Provinces. The presence of Studies introduces us to the broader cultural world, from theology to philosophy, liturgy, historiography, music, law, Sacred Scripture, sciences, humanities, architecture, and the arts. Significant space is dedicated to pastoral commitment and preaching.
The tenth and final part covers the religious of the Order who were canonized by the Holy See. The book concludes with a chronological list of the Order’s General Constitutions (16th-21st centuries), the Ministers General (1517-2019), the General Chapters (1517-2019), and the friars serving in the hierarchy of the Church (1517-2022). Extensive space is given to the development of the Order’s Provinces and friars, followed by a list of Ministers Provincial (16th -21st centuries). The book ends with indexes of personal names, locations, and a general index.
Editorial Staff
