On July 26-30, 2021, the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy) celebrated the second part of its Ordinary Provincial Chapter at the House of Spirituality of the Antonian Shrines in Camposampiero, Italy.
The Minister Provincial, Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI, presided over the Chapter. Friar Giovanni VOLTAN, the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP) was also present.
The Capitulars drafted the Provincial Four-Year Plan based upon the evaluation of the last four years which had been carried out during the first part of the Chapter and upon the Instrumentum Laboris prepared by the Minister Provincial and his Definitory, taking into account those priorities the friars felt were the most pressing. The Four-Year Plan is essentially divided into three major topics: mission / evangelization, the lifestyles of the friars, and the important area of initial and ongoing formation.
Much of the work of the Chapter was focused on approving the Provincial Statutes, which had been revised and made to conform to the recently revised Constitutions and General Statutes of the Order. The Chapter also prepared two directories, in keeping with the recent guidelines of the Order, in order to provide operational instructions regarding the formation of religious and indications concerning social media and communications.
Various appropriations were then approved for the redevelopment and compliance of some friaries, churches and works of the Province and for the construction of a house for theology students in Ghana. The Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, joined the discussion on this last decision by video-conference. He was in Romania for the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M.
Invited guests for the second part of the Chapter included His Eminence, Mauro Cardinal GAMBETTI, who celebrated Mass for the Capitulars on July 27, and the former Custos of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in France-Belgium, the Most Reverend François BUSTILLO, now Bishop of Ajaccio (Corsica, France), who visited on July 29.
On the last day of the work of the Chapter, after definitively approving the Provincial Four-Year Plan and other motions regarding the procedural steps toward redesigning the presences of the Province, the Capitulars arrived at the session for electing the Guardians of the friaries, formators, the presidents of the six Provincial commissions, the Director of the Messenger of St. Anthony, the Secretary of the Missionary Center, the Assistants of the Militia of the Immaculata and the members of the Finance Committee. The vote took up the whole morning and part of the afternoon.
Finally, having heard a report on the status of the Causes of Canonization and Beatification prepared by the Vice-Postulator, the concluding session was called, which included a commemoration of those confreres who died between 2017 and 2021. There were thirty-three religious who concluded their earthly existence from the celebration of the previous Chapter to the present. Brief and touching notes on each of them were read out, and prayers of suffrage were raised to God on their behalf and for all the confreres who have reached the goal of their earthly pilgrimage.
The Ordinary Provincial Chapter concluded with the solemn chanting of the Te Deum and the blessing of the Presider.
Having spent the week together, intent on Chapter work, the Capitulars enjoyed a final dinner and wished each other well before departing for their communities.
Friar Alessandro RATTI
