On Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., a new book by Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, titled: Patericul Franciscan: I Fioretti di San Francesco [Franciscan Patericon: The Little Flowers of St. Francis] was presented at the HUMANITAS Bookstore in Bucharest, Romania. The book is a Romanian translation of “The Little Flowers of St. Francis.” It features a preface titled, “Brother Francis: A River from Paradise,” written by the renowned Romanian author, philosopher, and essayist, Horia-Roman PATAPIEVICI. The book also has an introduction by Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, the General Assistant to the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS).
A large audience attended the presentation, including many members of the OFS. Mr. PATAPIEVICI delivered a speech highlighting the uniqueness of St. Francis of Assisi, his important role in Church history, and his extraordinary character. Drawing on references to major figures in Romanian literature (such as George CĂLINESCU and Dumitru KARNABATT), international literature, (Julien GREEN, Georges LAFENESTRE, Ernest RENAN and Henry THODE), and Franciscan studies (including Paul SABATIER and Jacques LE GOFF), the distinguished speaker offered a fresh and engaging portrait of St. Francis, conveying his enduring appeal and vitality.
Friar Ștefan, in turn, emphasized the significance of Francis’ presence at Mount La Verna, as described in “Considerations on the Stigmata of St. Francis.” According to the anonymous author of that work, Francis went to La Verna to “consecrate” the gift he had received. This attitude, frequently expressed in Francis’ own writings, prepared him to receive the stigmata—painful wounds that deeply marked his body but also strengthened his resolve to serve lepers with even greater devotion.
The two lecturers spoke for seventy-five minutes, keeping the audience’s full attention. Friar Ștefan thanked his Superiors for the opportunity to participate in this cultural and spiritual event.
Iustina GRECU
Minister of the OFS fraternity in Bucharest
