At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2022, Friars Emiliano Elia DI SEBASTIANO and Roberto LIGGERI, both members of the Italian Province of St. Francis of Assisi (Central Italy) and both students at the International College of St. Bonaventure (Seraphicum) in Rome, professed their solemn vows into the hands of their Minister Provincial, Friar Francesco LENTI. The ceremony took place at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome’s EUR district.
Those attending the celebration included friars from the Seraphicum, both students and professors, and many friars from the Province of Central Italy. Friar Francesco LENTI presided, flanked by four main concelebrants: Friar Adam MĄCZKA, the Guardian of the Seraphicum and Rector of the college; Friar Nicola SCARLATINO, the Pastor of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; and the two witnesses: Friars Angelo D’ONOFRI and Raffaele DI MURO, Dean of the Seraphicum.
The celebration began by mentioning the many friars who could not attend personally but were present in the communion of prayer, among them, the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI who sent his greetings. The parishioners, friends and family members of the newly professed warmly accompanied them throughout the entire celebration. This was the culmination of a long formative journey, as Friar Francesco LENTI stressed during his homily. He remembered with affection the journey that began four years earlier, when he guided both friars as their Novice Master, but he also saw it as the starting point of the total devotion of their lives to Christ, in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.
Unable to hide their strong emotions, the two prostrated themselves during the singing of the litanies and the intercessions. Then, they placed their hands in those of the Provincial Minister and professed their purpose of life according to the Rule of St. Francis, to the praise and glory of the Most Holy Trinity. This was followed by the definitive welcome of the fraternity, with the two being embraced by all the friars. This sincere, mutual embrace underscored the centrality of fraternal love in Christ for the life to which the two friars have been called and which they have accepted with their “Yes.”
At the end of the celebration, Friar Francesco read a message from Pope Francis who heartily imparted his apostolic blessing. In conclusion, the pastor and the two newly-professed expressed their gratitude to those present. We thank the Holy Trinity for the gift of this beautiful event and we accompany both of the newly professed with our prayers, so that they may constantly strive for perfect charity as they serve God, the Church and mankind.
Friar Roberto LIGGERI
