On April 22, 2025, a group of solemnly professed friars from the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in France-Belgium visited the General Curia at the Friary of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome. They were accompanied by their Provincial Custos, Friar Jean-François Marie AUCLAIR.
The thirteen confreres came to Rome as pilgrims of hope on the occasion of the 2025 Ordinary Jubilee Year. They will participate in the funeral celebration of Pope Francis on April 26, and then return to their friaries.
During their pilgrimage, they stopped at the General Curia, which some of them had never visited. They first visited the adjoining Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles. They initially arrived around 9:00 and were joyfully welcomed by the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, and the Secretary General, Friar Tomasz SZYMCZAK, who gave them a tour of various places of interest in the General Curia, such as the common areas of the friary and the “Corridor of the Ministers General,“ which features portraits of each Minister General throughout the history of the Conventual Franciscan Order. They also visited the library of the friary, with its rooms, books, frescoes and mosaic floor of great artistic value. Next, they were shown the office of the General Postulation, the Conventual Chapter Hall, the General Secretariat and the Definitory Hall. Another important moment was their visit to the General Archives. The General Archivist, Friar Domenico CASTIGLIONE, took them to visit the archives and their various rooms. He provided some historical background and showed them some ancient manuscripts that are of great importance to the Order. Next, the friars celebrated Mass in the friary chapel with the Minister General presiding. Afterwards, lunch was served in the refectory, where they were welcomed by the Guardian, Friar Francesco CELESTINO. After lunch they had the significant experience of viewing a short film entitled Kolbe VR, which was made using new virtual reality technology.
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