On February 17-26, 2025, the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy) celebrated the first part of its Ordinary Provincial Chapter. The event took place at the House of Spirituality of the Antonian Shrines in Camposampiero, Italy.
Sixty-two Capitulars were present, representing the 228 friars who are members of the Province, which includes not only northern Italy but also the Provincial Delegations in Portugal and Chile. In addition, the Province is also entrusted with the Provincial Custodies of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana and St. Bonaventure in France-Belgium.
The work of the Chapter was guided by the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, who, with fraternal affection, invited the Capitulars to transition from the rational analysis of reality—well represented by their review of the last four years—to the intuition and prophecy that emerge from Christian hope.
Over the past few days, the friars evaluated the path the Province took over the last four years (2021-2025), using an evaluation form that all the friars of the Province worked on during their Pre-Chapter Assemblies in January. The new Definitory will use this evaluation to identify topics to be discussed during the second part of the Chapter (April 21-26, 2025). The results will form the basis of the new Provincial Four-Year Plan
There were some other significant moments during the Chapter: On Thursday, February 20, Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI was elected to his second term as Minister Provincial. The next day, the Delegates to the General Chapter were elected. They are: Friar José Carlos CERDEIRA MATIAS (Provincial Delegate for Portugal), Friar Fabrizio RESTANTE (Chile) and Friar Valerio FOLLI. Finally, the new Provincial Definitors were elected. They are: Friar Franco GIRALDI, Provincial Vicar (second term); Friar Daniele LA PERA, Provincial Secretary (first term), Friar Alessandro ZOTTAREL (second term), Friar Gilberto DEPEDER (second term); Friar Fabio TURRISENDO (second term); Friar Giancarlo ZAMENGO (first term), Friar Andrea MASSARIN (first term); and Friar Andrea BOTTARO (first term).
Among the final decisions made during this first part of the Chapter was the approval of the new formation directory and the directory on the use of new media.
The overall atmosphere of the Chapter was very calm and fraternal, despite the intense work schedule and the times when difficult decisions had to be made, such as approving the motions regarding the closure of five presences (four in Italy and one in Portugal). However, as the Most Reverend Erio CASTELLUCCI, Archbishop of Modena-Nonantola, Italy, reminded us at the beginning of the retreat: as Christians, we are called to live the present crisis with hope, in an attitude of creative minority. For us Franciscans, this is expressed in terms of fraternity—among ourselves, with creation and with everyone.
Friar Francis A. COSMA, Chapter Secretary
