On June 7-11, 2021, the Province of St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia) conducted an Ordinary Provincial Chapter. The Chapter took place at the San Francesco Center of Spirituality and Sociality in Bari, Italy.
This is the last Ordinary Chapter of the Province of Puglia, which is scheduled to be unified with the Province of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo) in 2024, in keeping with Motion No. 15 of the 2019 Ordinary General Chapter.
The Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, presided over the Chapter. He was assisted by the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), Friar Giovanni VOLTAN.
The Chapter began with a spiritual reflection led by Friar Giovanni VOLTAN on the theme: “A New Journey between Present and Future.” Afterwards, reports were read, as stipulated by the Directory for the Celebration of Chapters, followed by some discussion. Next, the Capitulars chose the order of work for the second part of the Chapter and for the Provincial Four-Year Plan. On Wednesday, June 9, the Capitulars celebrated Mass in the chapel of the spirituality center with the Most Reverend Giuseppe SATRIANO, Archbishop of Bari-Bitonto, Italy, presiding. During this intimate and beautiful celebration, the archbishop encouraged the friars to continue on their journey, to trust the Lord and to be signs of hope.
In the afternoon, Friar Franklin Duran ZAMBRANO, the Custos of the Provincial Custody of Our Lady of Coromoto in Venezuela, went online to greet the friars while the Custody’s report was being read.
Likewise, on June 10, the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, went online to greet and encourage the friars. Immediately afterwards, Friar Daniele Maria MAIORANO was elected, on the first ballot, to his first term as Minister Provincial.
On June 11, the Provincial Definitors were elected. They are Friars Matteo ORNELLI, Vicar Provincial and Definitor; Massimo Antonio RUGGIERO, Provincial Secretary and Definitor; Fabio PACIELLO, Provincial Econom and Exactor; and Friar Gianluca CATAPANO, Definitor.
During the Chapter, the Capitulars were glad to welcome a number of visitors. They were Franca PERRELLA, the Regional President of the Militia of the Immaculata, Mariella MINERVINI, the Regional Minister of the Secular Franciscan Order, and Leonardo COLOTTI, the Regional President for YouFra (Franciscan Youth).
The second part of the Chapter has been scheduled for August 9, 2021.
Friar Donato GRILLI, Chapter Secretary
