On October 19, 2024, the members of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.) in the Italian Region of Puglia held an assembly to launch the 2024-25 pastoral year at the Conventual Franciscan Social and Spirituality Center in Bari, Italy.
The event began with greetings from the Regional President, Franca PERRELLA, and the Regional Assistant, Friar Salvatore SANTOMASI. Next, various M.I. groups were introduced. One group, from Matera, Italy, was led by and linked to the regional center in Puglia). There were two groups from Corato and two from Barletta with the M.I. Assistant, Father Mimmo MINERVINI. Another group came from Spinazzola assisted by Friar Peppino LAMANNA. There were groups from Sant’Agata, Gravina, Matino and Copertino led by Friar Matteo ORNELLI; and a group from Bari led by Friar Massimo RUGGIERO. The M.I. International Assistant, Friar Gilson Miguel NUNES, took the floor and thanked the Regional Council for having invited him and for their warm welcome in particular.
Friar Gilson mentioned and thanked the original friars who left Puglia to work as missionaries in Brazil and Venezuela, where the M.I. is present today. He then went on to talk about the visits that he and the M.I. International President, Miquel BORDAS PRÓSZYNSKI, made to lively and youthful presences of the M.I. in Brazil, Gabon, the Ivory Coast, the Philippines, Vietnam and Burkina Faso. They even reached some groups in the Amazon. All this was to make people understand that the M.I. is a family and that relationships must be nurtured. Next, Friar Gilson gave a lecture entitled: “Pilgrims of Hope with Mary,” which resonated with the theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year. He highlighted key points from Pope Francis’ proclamation, “Spes non confundit.” He emphasized that the Jubilee is a time of grace, a moment for personal encounter, a return to the essentials, a time to proclaim the Good News and particularly, a time of mercy for all. This mercy manifests as forgiveness, which lies at the heart of the Gospel and is echoed in the Christian prayer of the Our Father. Friar Gilson urged everyone to make room in their lives for forgiveness, acceptance, and prayer for those who have caused us harm.
When discussing hope, it is impossible not to highlight Mary, the woman of hope and the interpreter of the people of Israel, embodying messianic hope. Mary is a pilgrim of hope who lived alongside Jesus in silence, which is not passivity but rather contemplation and gratitude. Through her example, we can learn to express our own generous “yes,” which will give meaning to our lives and transform our attitudes.
The morning ended with Mass followed by a fraternal agape meal.
In the afternoon, after the various Presidents shared their programs and following the greeting from the Minister Provincial, Friar Flavio Daniele MAIORANO, who encouraged everyone to be “the smile of Mary,” the day continued as planned. Not even the rain deterred some groups from visiting the Basilica of San Nicola, the cathedral, and several streets in old Bari.
It was a wonderful day, where the joy of so many of us being together was evident from the hugs and smiles we shared. We said our goodbyes with the hope of meeting in even greater numbers at the next gathering.
Friar Gilson stayed on in the Region of Puglia to participate in World Mission Day. While there, he met with the local M.I. group in Gravina, as well as groups from Barletta and Matera. He also visited the Urbanist Poor Clare community in Altamura and spent time with the children who are assisted by the “Insieme” Program at the local Franciscan Oasis Spirituality Center. Lastly, he enjoyed a fraternal day with the Conventual Franciscan community in Calvello.
Margherita PERCHINELLI, M.I. International Vice-President
