On September 25, 2023, six men received the Tau Cross as they began their first year of postulancy. The ceremony took place in the chapel of the Sant’Antonio di Padova Friary in Nocera Inferiore, Italy, which is the seat of the postulancy program for Southern Italy.
The ceremony was presided over by the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Agatha and St. Lucy in Italy (Sicily), Friar Gaspare LA BARBERA, who is the President of the Federazione Intermediterranea Ministri Provincial (FIMP). Others present included the Minister Provincial of the Province of the Seraphic Father St. Francis in Italy (Naples), Friar Cosimo ANTONINO; and the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo-Molise), Friar Mauro DE FILIPPIS DELFICO.
Friar Gaspare reminded the postulants of the beauty of following Christ according to the example of St. Francis and the importance of the Tau in Sacred Scripture and in the very life of our founder. Indeed, the Tau is a sign of belonging to Christ.
The entire local community took part in this event. Together with the Postulancy Formation Team, they supported the postulants with affection and prayer. The members of the Postulancy Formation Team are the Rector, Friar Gabriel PANGILINAN, from the Province of Naples; the Vice-Rector, Friar Vito MANCA, from the Province of St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia); and the program’s Spiritual Director, Friar Damiano ANTONINO, also from the Province of Naples.
Those receiving the Tau Cross were Gaetano from Sicily; Charles and Daniele from Abruzzo; Vittorio from Puglia; and Pier Ferdinando and Antonio from Campania. They were joined by two postulants who are in their second year of formation: Salvatore and Francesco.
Let us pray for these young men in discernment, as they follow the example of St. Francis. May the Lord guide them on their path of following Christ and conforming themselves to Him.
Friar Mario RAVANNI
