From January 31 to February 1, 2025, the 134th Ordinary General Assembly of the Federazione Intermediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP)―the Federation’s final assembly for the 2021-2025 term―was held at the Seraphicum College in Rome.
This assembly was convened within the framework of the 47th Ordinary General Assembly of the Union of Conferences of Ministers Provincial of the Franciscan Family of Italy, held at the same location from January 29 to February 1.
Those present included the Assistant General of the FIMP Federation, Friar Giovanni VOLTAN, and all of the Federation’s Ministers Provincial, Custodes, and Delegates, except for the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo-Molise) Mauro DE FILIPPIS DELFICO, who could not attend due to health reasons. Moreover, the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia), Friar Daniele MAIORANO, had to leave the Seraphicum unexpectedly on the morning of January 30, upon receiving news of the death of Friar Alessandro DI PALMA, a confrere of his Province.
The agenda initially focused on formation. The friars continued their discernment process that began during the previous Assembly, held in Istanbul (November 17-22, 2024), regarding the possible relocation of the novitiate in Assisi. To facilitate this discussion, the friars consulted with former Novice Masters and the Federation’s Formation Commission. Then, using a previously prepared information sheet, the friars discussed the topic of outside Jurisdictions operating inside the Jurisdictions of the FIMP Federation.
Finally, the Ministers Provincial, Custodes, and Delegates shared some updates, including the establishment of a Conventual Franciscan presence along the Way of St. James in Astorga, Spain, and the appointment of Friar Lucio MASSACCESI from the Italian Province of St. Francis of Assisi (Central Italy) to coordinate the gathering of young friars who are in their first five years of religious life.
On the afternoon of the last day, the friars went to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican together with the Ministers Provincial of the Friars Minor and the Friars Minor Capuchin. There, after being welcomed in the Chapel of the Canons’ Choir, they participated in Evening Prayer I for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, presided over by Pope Francis in honor of World Day for Consecrated Life.
Friar Marco BELLACHIOMA, FIMP Secretary