On Friday, October 4, 2024, the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, presided over the Mass celebrating the Patron Saint of Italy, St. Francis of Assisi, and the solemn profession of Friar Fakhridin IBRAGIMOV. The event took place at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome.
Friar Fakhridin belongs to the Provincial Delegation in Uzbekistan belonging to the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow). He was born in Taškent, Uzbekistan, on July 1, 1993. On September 20, 2019, he began his novitiate year, making his simple profession on September 19, 2020. He is currently continuing his formation with the post-novitiate community at the Seraphicum College in Rome.
In his homily, the Minister General recalled the fundamental importance of this solemn profession on the Solemnity of St. Francis. He reminded all the friars that the Lord still blesses and guides us through his Spirit towards the mission ad gentes.
Those concelebrating included the Guardian of the Friary of the Twelve Holy Apostles, Friar Francesco CELESTINO; the Rector of the Seraphicum, Friar Adam MĄCZKA; the Vicar Provincial of Cracow, Friar Marcin DRĄG; and a missionary in the Delegation in Uzbekistan, Friar Piotr KAWA. Friars Marcin and Piotr served as witnesses of the profession. Also concelebrating were the friars of the General Curia and the General Houses in Rome.
Prior to the solemnity, the friars had celebrated the Triduum. The Guardian, Friar Francesco, presided over Mass on the first day. The Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union, Friar Đinh Anh Nhuệ NGUYỄN, presided over Mass on the second day. On the third day, Thursday October 3, the Most Reverend Vittorio Francesco VIOLA, OFM, Secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, presided over the celebration of the Transitus of St. Francis.
Friar Aurelio ERCOLI
