After a day of rest on Sunday, the Capitulars gathered for morning Mass presided over by Friar Juan Antonio ADÁNEZ SILVÁN, the Minister Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Monserrat in Spain. His homily, delivered in Spanish and Italian, highlighted Jesus’ invitation to all his disciples: to live peace in a radical way, responding to evil with good, overcoming every difficulty with magnanimity and generosity.
In the morning, discussion continued on Motion 8, concerning the Federations. Friar Juan Antonio himself presented the Astorga Project: a new international community along the Way of St James (in Spain), committed to new evangelization.
This was followed by a presentation by the Minister Provincial of the Italian Province of St. Francis of Assisi (Central Italy), Friar Francesco LENTI, who reflected on some historic and charismatic friaries, suggesting that some be entrusted wholly or in part to other Jurisdictions.
The proposal was then put to a vote and approved. In summary, it called for the Federations to seek appropriate ways to increase internal collaboration and strengthen relations with other Federations. The three European Federations, in particular, were encouraged to establish collaborative efforts in areas such as new evangelization, youth ministry, and more. Regarding the friaries and friars of one Jurisdiction in the territory of another: the Government of the Order, after consultation with all parties involved, will guide and support these collaborations and define practical steps.
This was followed by work in thematic groups, reflecting in particular on: charism and identity, mission, new evangelization, finances, formation, the renovation of the General Houses, and the General Chapter.
In the afternoon, a new version of Motion 2, regarding archives, was discussed and approved. The new text states that each Jurisdiction shall have a confidential archive, in accordance with canon law, applicable civil law, and the specific instructions of the Order.
Next, a revised text was presented for Motion 21, concerning financial auditing by an external firm. The deadline for its implementation was set for June of 2026. This amendment was also approved by the assembly.
Friar Giovanni VOLTAN, the former Assistant General for the Federazione Intermediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), presented Motion 9, concerning the Provinces of Southern Italy. The text gave the Minister General and his Definitory the mandate to prepare a process for the further restructuring (and possible unification) of the current Jurisdictions: 1) The Italian Province of St. Joseph of Cupertino (Abruzzo-Molise-Puglia); 2) The Italian Province of the Immaculate Conception (Sicily-Calabria); and, 3) The Province of the Seraphic Father St. Francis in Italy (Campania and Basilicata); to be discussed in the respective Ordinary Chapters of the Provinces concerned in 2029, and to be presented as a project at the 2031 Ordinary General Chapter.
After reflection by the Capitulars and contributions from the Ministers Provincial involved, the motion was approved.
Finally, Motion 10, on identity and charism, was presented by the new Vicar General, Friar Igor SALMIČ. A wide-ranging debate ensued, focused particularly on continuing Conventual Franciscan formation and the establishment of communities that embody deeper commitment to the charism.
The vote was postponed to tomorrow, when summaries from the secretaries of today’s thematic groups on identity and charism will be presented, and discussion on this fundamental topic will continue.
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