On Saturday, August 24, 2024, the Novices of the Secular Franciscan Fraternity of the Risen One spent a day of formation and fraternity with the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, at the General Curia in Rome. The Fraternity is part of the “Frontier Community” [Comunità Frontiera], a public association of the faithful.
The “Frontier Community” was founded by our confrere Friar Giuseppe DE STEFANO, a member of the Province of St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia). It is one of the new foundations of community and apostolic life inspired by the Apostolic Exhortation Vita Consecrata by Pope St. John Paul II.
The association was approved on April 28, 2019, by the Most Reverend Rosario GISANA, Bishop of Piazza Armerina, Italy, with a view to being erected as an Institute of Secular Life. It has been affiliated with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual since May of 2019, in accordance with canon 303.
The Secular Franciscan Fraternity of the Risen One arose within the “Frontier Community” and has been recognized and approved. It is composed of lay people called to secular consecration in the charism of the “Frontier Community.” Pope Francis recognized the “Frontier Community” as having both the charism of the frontier and the charism of resurrection (October 22, 2022).
The day began with Morning Prayer, followed by some time to get to know each other and to share some personal aspects of the novices and the fraternity.
At 11:30 a.m., the Minister General presided over Mass with Friar Giuseppe concelebrating. The daily readings illuminated and confirmed some of the vocational aspects and dimensions that had emerged earlier that morning.
After the novices had lunch with the friars of the General Curia, Friar Silvano BIANCO gave them an interesting and in-depth tour of the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles.
At 4:00 p.m., the novices joined the Minister General for a formation meeting on the topic of fraternity, which was explored from the perspective of prophetic witness, harmony, and the choices the world can make in light of the Gospel and the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The day ended with Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting strengthened the fraternal, spiritual and charismatic relationship between the Frontier Community’s Secular Franciscan Fraternity of the Risen One and the Order. Moreover, it confirmed the novices in their secular vocation which arose from the same Order.
Friar Giuseppe DE STEFANO
