As reported by the magazine San Francesco Patrono d’Italia (https://www.sanfrancescopatronoditalia.it), on November 29, 2021, the Feast of All Saints of the Seraphic Order, the journey towards the five important anniversary events of the Eighth Franciscan Centenary was inaugurated in Greccio, Italy.

In fact, 2023 will commemorate the 800th anniversary of the drafting of the Later Rule, and the creation of the first nativity scene in Greccio. 2024 will commemorate the imposition of the stigmata on the Poverello at La Verna. 2025 will commemorate the writing of the Canticle of the Creatures and 2026 will commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, to be celebrated in Assisi.
To facilitate these upcoming events, the representatives of the Franciscan families and the Bishops of the Dioceses of Rieti, Arezzo and Assisi, in Italy, met at the Franciscan shrine church in Greccio, to establish an ecclesial Coordination Committee to direct these activities, so that they “take place in the most orderly and fruitful way, as a joint effort, promoting collaboration among the people and entities involved.”
This accord was signed by Bishops Domenico SORRENTINO (Assisi), Domenico POMPILI (Rieti) and Riccardo FONTANA (Arezzo), together with the Provincial representatives of the Franciscan Orders in Umbria, Lazio and Tuscany, Italy; however, the experience will resonate throughout the world .
The Ministers General of the Conference of the Franciscan Family, and their representatives, also participated in the event. Our own Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, was represented by Friar Giovanni VOLTAN, the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP).
Friar Amando TRUJILLO CANO, the Minister General of the Third Order Regular (TOR), on behalf of the Conference, read the letter addressed to all the brothers and sisters of the Franciscan family, in which the Ministers General announce the establishment of the Coordination Committee (cf. https://www.ofmconv.net/en/coordinamento-per-il-centenario-francescano/).
Friar Francesco PATTON, OFM, the Friars Minor Custos of the Holy Land, also participated in the event online from Bethlehem.
Finally, the President of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, Bishop Rino FISICHELLA, was also present to show that the Eighth Franciscan Centenary is part of the journey towards the 2025 Holy Year.
The Ecclesial Coordination Committee was thus officially established. All that remains is to wish our brothers and sisters success in their work. May we all have a fruitful centenary.

Friar Tomasz SZYMCZAK Secretary General