On September 25, 2024, the postulancy program of the Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP) for southern Italy began with a ceremony held at the Sant’Antonio di Padova Friary in Nocera Inferiore, Italy.
The ceremony to officially welcome the postulants took place in the internal chapel of the friary. Friar Cosimo M. Michele ANTONINO, the Minister Provincial of the Province of the Seraphic Father St. Francis in Italy (Naples), presided.
Others attending included the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo-Molise), Friar Mauro DE FILIPPIS DELFICO, and the friars of the local community. At one point during the prayerful ceremony, each of the postulants was given a Tau cross. The new postulants are Sergio TANGARI, 51, and Francesco SILVERI, 21, from the Province of Abruzzo-Molise; and Ivano CIMMINO, 37, and Fausto CERINO, 34, from the Province of Naples.
The four new postulants were entrusted to their formation team comprised of Friars Gabriel PANGILINAN (Rector); Vito Cosimo MANCA (Vice-Rector); and Damiano ANTONINO (Spiritual Director).
The second-year postulants were also present to welcome the new first-year postulants. The second-year postulants are Vittorio MINETOLA, 39, from the Province of St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia); Daniele DI MARCO, 30, from the Province of Abruzzo-Molise; Pier Ferdinando CORVINO, 27, from the Province of Naples; and Gaetano Emanuele SCARPELLO, 23, from the Italian Province of the Immaculate Conception (Sicily-Calabria).
The second-year postulants celebrated the beginning of their formation year by receiving a Miraculous Medal and entrusting themselves to the Immaculate Virgin through the words of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe.
The postulancy program community has entrusted itself to all the Saints of the Seraphic Order, the Blessed Virgin, her spouse, St. Joseph, and to the prayers of all the Conventual Franciscan friars. May the Holy Spirit illuminate and guide the hearts and minds of all those who honestly and simply seek the will of the Heavenly Father, in the footsteps of His Son.
Friar Cyrille Diwa KPALAFIO
