From August 29 to September 2, 2023, the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in India conducted its Pre-Chapter Assembly. The event took place in the auditorium of the Centre of Peace and Dialogue in Karukutty, State of Kerala, India.
Almost all of the friars of the Province were summoned. The purpose of the Assembly was to summarize the activities of the Province, visualize the problems and difficulties the friars have faced in recent years, and raise proposals to be discussed in the Ordinary Chapter.
In keeping with the guidelines of the Directory for the Celebration of the Provincial Chapter, the Pre-Chapter Assembly was aimed at promoting the goodness of fraternal communion and hearing the suggestions and proposals of each friar. Furthermore, by following the questions posed in the Instrumentum laboris, the Pre-Chapter Assembly reflected on various topics that will be dealt with in the Ordinary Chapter, prompting debate on certain issues that concern the entire Provincial community.
During the Assembly, the participating friars worked together to evaluate the life of the Province. They focused on such topics as personal and communal conversion, fraternal life and vocations, as well as the mission in Sri Lanka and other states of India. Those present at the Assembly included the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI; the Assistant General for the Federation of Asian Minor Conventuals (FAMC) Friar Benedict BAEK; and the Minister Provincial of the Province of Germany and General Visitator of India, Friar Andreas MURK, who presented a well-prepared and precise report on the Province. Also present was the General Exactor, Friar Leszek ŁUCZKANIN, who made a financial report in which he suggested and encouraged transparency and self-sufficiency.
On September 2-6, 2023, the Province celebrated the first part of its fifth Ordinary Provincial Chapter. The event took place at the Assisi Shanthi Kendra in Karukutty, with the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, presiding. Also present was the Assistant General for the FAMC Federation, Friar Benedict BAEK.
On September 2, during the third session, Friar Michael EARALY was elected Minister Provincial (first term). He swore his oath of office on the same day, in the presence of the Minister General.
On September 6, during the fourth session, the Provincial Definitors were elected. They are: Friar Alphonse VAZHAPPANADY (Provincial Vicar), Friar Patrick KANNADAN (Provincial Secretary) and Friars Sinto ANTU THIRUTHEL and Justin PALAMATTATH (Definitors). In addition, Friar Kolbe PUTHENPURAYIL was elected Provincial Econom and Friar James AYYAMKOLIL was elected Provincial Exactor. After the Definitors swore their oath of office, the Minister General imparted his blessing and the first part of the fifth Ordinary Provincial Chapter came to an end, at noon, in the community chapel of the Assisi Shanthi Kendra.
Friar Patrick KANNADAN, Provincial Secretary
