On September 10-12, 2019, the Province of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Japan celebrated a Provincial Assembly at the Seibo-no-Kishi Friary in Nagasaki, Japan.
About thirty solemnly professed friars participated, as well as four temporarily professed friars, one of whom professed on September 11, 2019.
On the first day of the Assembly, the Provincial Secretary, Friar Lucas TANIZAKI, presented the Motions approved by the Ordinary General Chapter of 2019. Next, he presented the changes made in the new Constitutions and the new General Statutes.
On the second day, Friar Damian PĂTRAŞCU, the Postulator General, spoke about his work and gave an update on the process of beatification for the Venerable Elizabeth Maria Satoko KITAHARA. Later that afternoon, Friar Hiroshi KONISHI, OFM, from Japan, spoke about Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. During Mass that day, Friar Giovanni Kaneko TAKAHIRO made his temporary profession.
During Mass on the last day, the friars celebrated the 50th anniversary of priestly ordination for Friar Vincentius MATSUNAGA. The Most Reverend Berard Toshio OSHIKAWA, OFM Conv., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Naha, also participated in this celebration.
Friar Benedetto BAEK, Assistant General for the FAMC
