Today, the Capitulars celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. All of the friars took part—even those from other regions where, unlike Italy, the solemnity is celebrated on Sunday. The Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Elizabeth in Germany, Friar Andreas MURK, presided over the morning Mass. In his homily, in English and Italian, he urged everyone to reflect on their personal desires and dreams, especially during these days as we reflect on our charism. As in the Eucharistic Processions taking place on this day in Germany, we are called to perceive the presence of Jesus Christ in all four corners of the world. Jesus offers Himself to us so that we may always remain in Him and in His will.
At 10:00 a.m., the Chapter resumed its work with discussion on Motion 14, presented by Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, the outgoing Vicar General. The text of the Motion reads: “During the 2025-2031 six-year term, each Federation of the Order shall promote the revision of the Conventual Franciscan liturgical texts, starting with an updated Liturgical Calendar.”
During the discussion, it was stressed that the liturgical calendar must be approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. For this reason, the renewal of the calendar was entrusted to the Postulator General, and approval of the Motion was not requested.
Next, Friar Piotr BIELENIN of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow),
presented the Kolbe Project. Recognizing the importance of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe’s charism for the interior and missionary formation of the friars, the Chapter supported the “Kolbe Project” in the form of a formation course for the friars of the Order, especially in those Areas/Jurisdictions where Kolbe’s spirituality is less known and propagated.
The project will be implemented in two ways. First, in the form of lectures and workshops. Second, through visits to the places of St. Maximilian’s life, ministry and martyrdom. The main venue for the project will be the St. Maximilian Center in Harmęże, Poland, where lectures, conferences and workshops will be held. The program will also include an extended visit to Auschwitz as well as a day of meditation/personal prayer at Birkenau. To better understand Kolbe’s life, the cultural setting of his development, and his apostolic activity, additional places will be visited, such as:
Zduńska Wola, Poland (his birthplace), Pabianice, Poland (where he spent his childhood), Cracow (where he started his publishing activities), Niepokalanów (the friary and publishing house he founded), as well as Warsaw, Częstochowa (Jasna Góra), Lviv (Ukraine), and Grodno (Belarus)― when feasible.
After extensive discussion, the text was approved.
Next, the Assistant General for the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO), Friar Tomáš LESŇÁK, presented a funding request for the 2025 International Youth Toward Assisi Meeting.
Following this, the Capitulars discussed a proposal by Friar Giacomo DI CIANO from the Provincial Delegation in Burkina Faso, regarding collaboration with the other Franciscan Families. The General Chapter requested that the Minister General, with his Definitory, be given the mandate to promote collaboration with the other Franciscan Families and with other religious Congregations, in order to reflect on and explore the establishment of centers for philosophy and/or theology studies for our friars in initial formation.
The importance of the matter was acknowledged, and where possible, friars are already receiving formation in Franciscan institutions. The text was discussed but not put to a vote.
At 5:00 p.m., the Chapter reconvened to discuss Article 157 §3 of the General Statutes: “The Provincial Custos may make a canonical visitation of his Custody…” This text was to be deleted because the Constitutions already required the visitation. After some clarification, the text was deleted.
A modified proposal (iuxta modum) to Motion 9, concerning the Provinces of Southern Italy, was then discussed. An addition was made to promote a pathway of continuing formation and collaboration between the interested Provinces. The text was approved.
Next came an amendment to Motion 13. Instead of establishing an office regarding the safeguarding of vulnerable persons, a commission will be created. Members of the Secular Franciscans and the Poor Clares, assisted by our Conventual Franciscan friars, are to be invited to take part in formation events on this topic.
The secretary of the thematic group then shared feedback regarding the General Chapter and the structures of the General Curia, based on input received from the Federations about how the Chapter should be carried out.
The Chapter work concluded with some logistical announcements for Friday morning, which includes Mass and an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
Office of Communications
