On October 26-31, 2025, the Definitors of the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania, the Definitors of the Custody of the Orient and the Holy Land, and the Councilors of the Delegation of St. Bonaventure in Germany held a joint meeting in the spirit of work and fraternity.
The meeting took place at the St. Anthony Friary in Beyoğlu (Istanbul), Turkey. Those attending included the Minister Provincial of the Province of Romania, Friar Damian-Gheorghe PĂTRAȘCU; the Custos of the Provincial Custody of the Orient and the Holy Land, Friar Anton BULAI; and the Delegate of the Delegation in Germany, Friar Ioan LUPU. They were joined by their respective Definitors and Councilors. Friar Michał SABATURA, the Guardian of the St. Anthony Friary in Beyoğlu, was a guest at the meeting and generously welcomed the other participants to his friary.
A Week of Prayer, Reflection, and Discussion
The week opened with a meditation led by the Minister Provincial of Romania, Friar Damian. It was inspired by the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis. Drawing from the Gospel of John (13:1–17) and the account of the Transitus according to Thomas of Celano, the friars reflected on the meaning of death as both an encounter and a gift, in the light of the life of St. Francis of Assisi.
During the discussion phase, many comments were offered that enriched the reflection: the friars recalled how the experience of St. Francis—his transition from “being” to “being there”—remains a model of fraternal life and love that transforms even death into a blessing.
Getting to Know Each Other and Sharing the Journey
In the afternoon of the same day, after Midday Prayer, the friars introduced themselves to each other and shared their vocation stories and service experiences in their various contexts. Friar Damian highlighted some significant data about the Province. It has 238 friars distributed among seventeen friaries in Romania, three friaries in Turkey, two in Lebanon, five in Italy (with fifty-seven friars), and four in Germany (with sixteen friars). The Province has friars serving around the world.
Next, there were presentations on the various Jurisdictions: Friar Ioan LUPU talked about the history and challenges of the Delegation in Germany. Friar Anton BULAI and Friar Felician TAMAȘ described the life and activities of the Custody of the Orient and the Holy Land. Finally, Friar Damian gave an overview of the Province of Romania and its missions.
Pilgrimages and Fraternal Encounters
In the days that followed, the meeting program alternated between work sessions and fraternal activities.
On October 28, the friars made a pilgrimage to Nicaea, Turkey, where they renewed their profession of faith and celebrated Mass at the historic site of the first Councils of the Church.
On October 29, the friars traveled to the friary in Büyükdere, Turkey, where they held Definitory meetings and had a fraternal visit with the local community. Friar Anton BULAI gave a lecture on the history of the friary and the church. He explained the significance of some important artworks and key historical events. After Mass and lunch, the friars went on a fraternal outing to the area along the Bosphorus, the strait that runs through Istanbul. On October 30, the friars made a cultural and spiritual visit to the city of Istanbul. They began with a Mass to commemorate the deceased friars of the Province and the Custody. Next, the friars visited various significant places in the city, including Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar (one of the oldest and liveliest covered markets in the world), and enjoyed the beauty and cultural richness of this city on the Bosphorus.
The day ended with a fraternal dinner, during which the Minister Provincial expressed his gratitude to everyone for their participation and for the authentic fraternal atmosphere that everyone experienced. He also thanked the friars of the hosting friary of St. Anthony for their warm welcome and thoughtful hospitality.
A Sign of Communion and Hope
The meeting in Istanbul was a concrete sign of communion between the different presences of the Province of Romania. It was a time of sharing, prayer, and fraternity, lived in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
The participants returned to their own friaries enriched by shared experiences, new perspectives, and a renewed desire to live and give witness to the joy of the Gospel.
Friar Marian Emanuel VĂTĂMĂNELU
