On Thursday, March 12, 2026, the Conventual Franciscan Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania, hosted the second annual meeting of its Guardians and Pastors. The event took place at the Provincial Curia in Bacău, Romania. The meeting began at 9:30 a.m., after some words of welcome from the Vicar Provincial, Friar Cristian DUMEA.
Next, there was a meditation by Friar Adrian-Sorin GIURGI, based on the Jubilee Letter [from the Ministers General of the Franciscan Family] entitled “Francis of Assisi: A Seed for Eternal Life,” written to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis. Inspired by the Testament, which St. Francis wrote shortly before his passing, the letter recalls the essential moments of his spiritual experience. The Jubilee document also highlights the legacy of St. Francis and how this “seed of the Gospel” continues to bear fruit in the life of the Church and the Franciscan family.
Building on this reflection, the speaker highlighted three fundamental dimensions of the Franciscan legacy, eight hundred years after the death of St. Francis. The first concerns conversion, arising from the encounter with the poor and with the crucified Christ, through which Francis discovered mercy as the heart of evangelical life. He recognized in the poor a privileged place of encounter with God. The second highlights St. Francis’s profound connection with the Church and the Eucharist, recognized as the fertile soil in which the Gospel grows and bears fruit. The third highlights the birth of Franciscan fraternity, understood as a communion of Friars called to serve and care for one another and to proclaim peace in the world through the evangelical greeting Francis entrusted to his friars: “May the Lord give you peace!”
In the final part of his meditation, Friar Adrian-Sorin emphasized the relevance of this spiritual legacy. The Jubilee Letter mentions that the “seed” of the Gospel sown by St. Francis continues to germinate even today, calling each generation to make it bear fruit through mercy toward the poor, fidelity to the Church, and a fraternal life that becomes a credible sign of peace. The 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s passing is not only a remembrance of the past but also an invitation to live today with fidelity and courage according to the form of the Holy Gospel.
After this formation session, there was a brief break for recreation and personal reflection. Afterwards, the friars divided into discussion groups and were invited to reflect on some guiding questions.
The highlight of the day was Mass presided over by the Vicar Provincial Friar Cristian DUMEA. The visiting Secretary General for Formation, Friar Bernardino HOSPITAL POSADA, gave the homily.
Taking inspiration from the Gospel of Mark 9:14-29, Friar Bernardino reflected on the maturity of the friar Guardian, indicating three fundamental orientations. The first involves shifting from “I” to “we,” stressing shared responsibility in fraternity and the need to place the community’s weaknesses before the Lord. The second calls for the humility to acknowledge weakness, embracing people’s stories and wounds while acknowledging one’s own limits, thus allowing space for the action of Christ. The third highlights the “mendicant” faith, expressed in the evangelical prayer: “I believe; help my unbelief!”, an attitude that makes the guardian credible and close to the friars because he too recognizes himself as being on a journey.
In conclusion, Friar Bernardino reminded the brothers that a Superior’s authority is not measured by his ability to solve every problem, but by his readiness to accompany the fraternity, intercede for them, and lead them to Christ, who alone lifts up and heals.
After celebrating Mass, the friars gathered for a fraternal lunch, extending the communion they experienced at the altar into their daily lives. Activities resumed at 2:30 pm with the presentation of each group’s reflections and a plenary assembly discussion.
The meeting concluded at 5:00 pm with an address from the Minister Provincial, Friar Damian-Gheorghe PĂTRAȘCU. After sharing some updates on the life of the Province and upcoming events, he thanked the organizers and all of the participating friars, and expressed his appreciation for their service and dedication in carrying out their mission.
Friar Vlad-Bogdan BEJAN
