On October 6-11, 2019, the Province of St. Elizabeth in Germany celebrated its Ordinary Provincial Chapter. The Chapter took place at the Minoritenkloster Maria Hilf Friary in Schwarzenberg, Germany. The Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, presided.

To prepare for this event, the friars met the previous month for a three-day Spiritual Chapter. The Spiritual Chapter was led by Fr. Fidelis RUPPERT, OSB, (Benedictine), the former abbot of the Abbey of Münsterschwarzach, Germany The theme of the Spiritual Chapter was, “Life in Community.”
After two terms, Friar Bernhardin M. SEITHER departed the service of Minister Provincial. His invaluable report on the past four years, as well as the reports on individual commitments and works, gave a comprehensive view of our fraternity. Friar Dominique MATHIEU, new Assistant General for the Centralis Europae Foederatio (CEF), completed this picture with some observations from his canonical visitation. The Capitulars divided into groups according to age. They discussed numerous topics and laid out the main priorities for the new four-year term.
On Thursday, October 10, 2019, the new provincial government was elected. Friar Andreas MURK was elected Minister Provincial on the second ballot. Until then, he was Director of the formation house at the Schwarzenberg Friary and served as Provincial Secretary. Friar Andreas was born in Dettelbach, Germany, on July 16, 1983. He made his simple profession on October 3, 2005, his solemn profession on October 3, 2008, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 2010.
Next, the new Definitors were elected. They are Friars Mateusz KOTYŁO, Vicar Provincial; Konrad SCHLATTMANN, Provincial Secretary; Friar Michiel VAN KOOTEN, Definitor (from the Provincial Delegation in Holland); and Friar Steffen BEHR, Definitor
Friar Andreas encouraged the Capitulars to take a lot of hope back to their friaries. He invited them to face the future with courage and a spirit of initiative. On the last night, as a practical exercise of life in fraternity, the friars were asked to make their own pizzas for a pizza party together. It is often the small, simple things that make community life exciting.
The second part of the Provincial Chapter will begin on November 24, 2019.

Friar Andreas MURK, Minister Provincial