On February 3-4, 2021, the Extraordinary Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania was celebrated at the Sf. Francisc de Assisi Friary in Roman, Romania.
The ongoing health crisis prevented some of the Capitulars from attending the Chapter in person, therefore, the friars working in Italy, Turkey, Germany and some in Romania, joined the Chapter on line using a digital platform.
On February 3, the Capitulars celebrated the commemorative Mass at 7:30 a.m. in the Chapel of the Theological Institute of Roman. The Mass, commemorating St. Blaise, was presided over by the Minister Provincial, Friar Damian Gheorghe PĂTRAȘCU. During his homily, Friar Damian emphasized several aspects of the spiritual life, including the need for it to be guided by the Order and by the salvific admonitions of the Lord.
At 9:15 a.m., the Capitulars gathered in the “Father Petru Albert” hall of the Institute for the opening of the Chapter. The Chapter began with the singing of the Veni Creator. Next, the Minister Provincial greeted the friars who were present physically and online. More greetings followed from the Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, and the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), Friar Giovanni VOLTAN.
After the greetings, Friar Virgil BLAJ, Rector of the clerical students, gave a spiritual introduction to the Chapter with a lecture entitled Identity and Belonging. Subsequently, Friar Bogdan-Emilian BALAȘCĂ, Director of the Sf. Francisc de Assisi Roman Catholic Theological High School, presented the current status of the high school. At 11:00 a.m., Friar Mihai AFRENȚOAE, Rector of the Theological Institute of Roman together with Dr. Constantin CUCOȘ, Professor of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences in Iași, gave a summary of the report from the Commission for the Theological Institute in Roman.
At 3:00 p.m., the friars met in work groups. Then, at 4:00, the summaries of the groups were presented in the Chapter hall and the Capitulars heard some speeches from various friars connected online.
On Thursday, February 4, the Capitulars celebrated Mass at 7:30 a.m. with the Vicar Provincial, Emilian-Ionel DUMEA, presiding. In his homily, he stressed that a disciple of Jesus must possess nothing so that he can give of himself completely for the good of souls, in accordance with our father Saint Francis.
At 9:15 a.m., after invoking the Holy Spirit, the Capitulars voted on some motions regarding the Provincial Statutes and the Custodial Statutes of the Orent and the Holy Land. Next, some constructive discussions took place regarding the life of the Province.
At the end of the Chapter, the Minister Provincial, together with the Vicar General and the Assistant General for the FIMP Federation, said farewell to the friars present.
Friar Francisc-Lucian GHERVASE, Provincial Secretary
