On September 1-7, 2019, the 11th Ordinary Federal Assembly of the Urbanist Poor Clares was held at the Seraphicum International College in Rome.
The first two days of the Assembly were dedicated to a reflection led by Friar Giancarlo PARIS from the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy). Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Little Sisters of Jesus at the Three Fountains. Later, one of the Little Sisters spoke, giving testimony of her religious life.
The first part of the Assembly was devoted to reading the reports covering the past six-year period. Reports were given by the Federal President, the Federal Treasurer and the Abbesses or Delegates of the various monasteries.
On September 5, Friar Germano TOGNETTI, General Delegate for the Second Order and Affiliated Institutions, presided over the election of the President of the Federation. Sister M. Damiana ARDESI of the Monastery at Montone (Province of Perugia, Italy) was confirmed for another six-year term. The next day, Sister Damiana presided over the election of the Federal Council. Those elected were Sisters Annachiara GIOVANARDI (Forlì, Province of Forlì-Cesena, Italy) First Federal Councilor and Secretary; Mariangela BAGNOLINI (Eremo Montepaolo, Province of Forlì-Cesena, Italy) Second Councilor; M. Ester BOAŞĂ (Ravello, Province of Salerno, Italy) Third Councilor; Chiara Elisabetta DEMURTAS (Oristano, Italy) Fourth Councilor; and Ave Maria CARLETTI (Osimo, Province of Ancona, Italy) Federal Treasurer.
On Friday afternoon, September 6, Friar Maurizio DI PAOLO, the General Procurator, spoke to the Assembly about the guidelines of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life entitled, “Economy at the Service of Charism and Mission”. He also took questions from the assembly.
We give thanks to God for the gift of communion experienced in these days, the willingness to serve on the part of Sister Damiana and her chosen sisters, and the responsible involvement of each of them. Through the intercession of St. Clare and St. Francis, may the Lord grant the sisters to walk happily in His ways.
Sister Annachiara GIOVANARDI, Federal Secretary
