On April 21-25, 2025, the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy) conducted the second part of its Ordinary Provincial Chapter. The event took place at the House of Spirituality of the Antonian Shrines in Camposampiero, Italy.
Fifty-six friars attended the second part. They represented the approximately 230 friars who are members of the Province, which has twenty-six friaries across northern Italy, and oversees two Delegations in Portugal and Chile.
The Chapter was led by the Minister Provincial, Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI. The Capitulars discussed key topics outlined in the Instrumentum laboris, a document summarizing the work done in the first part of the Chapter. This discussion helped define the key strategic guidelines that will direct the fraternal and apostolic life of the Jurisdiction over the next four years. The title of the document is taken from the Praises of God Most High by St. Francis of Assisi: “You Are Our Hope” (cf. FF 261). Information sheets with the proposed Motions were then presented. After some fraternal discussion, they were approved in the assembly and, together with the strategic guidelines, will go on to become the Provincial Four-Year Plan, which will guide the life of the Province from 2025 through 2029.
One of the Motions approved was titled Safeguarding and dealt with protecting minors and vulnerable persons from abuse. Another one was the 2031 Antonian Centenary. Still another was The Provincial Solidarity Fund. The Capitulars also elected Guardians to lead the communities, and appointed office holders to manage various works of the Province, such as the Director of Messaggero di Sant’Antonio, the Secretary of the Mission Center and the Rector of the post-novitiate, now a formation house of the Federazione Intermediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP)
The final session was marked by a heartfelt commemoration of the friars who passed away over the last four years. Each was given a brief tribute amid a prayerful atmosphere. The Minister Provincial thanked the Capitulars for their work during both parts and also thanked those who contributed most actively to the practical organization of the event.
The demanding days of the Chapter came to a close with the singing of the Te Deum. The Chapter was carried out in a spirit of constructive and fraternal dialogue.
Friar Francis COSMA, Chapter Secretary
