In recent weeks, after visiting the Provinces of Northern and Central Italy, the Secretary General for Formation, Friar Bernardino HOSPITAL POSADA, met with the friars of the Province of the Seraphic Father St. Francis in Italy (Naples). Later, he met with the friars of the Italian Province of the Immaculate Conception (Sicily-Calabria).
On November 7-9, 2025, Friar Bernardino visited the Province of Naples. He was accompanied by the Minister Provincial, Friar Claudio IORIS. Friar Bernardino visited several communities of the Province and spoke with many of their friars. The visit was characterized by a recurring theme, namely, the need to strengthen continuing formation and enhance the initiatives already underway. One of those initiatives was the decision to conduct a spiritual retreat at the Kolbe Center in Carini (Palermo, Sicily), in collaboration with the Province of Sicily-Calabria.
The Province of Naples currently has four temporarily professed friars completing their studies at the Seraphicum College in Rome. The postulancy program of the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), for the Provinces of Southern Italy, is located in Nocera Inferiore, Italy. This year, since there were only two candidates, it was decided to integrate them into the FIMP postulancy program in Foligno, Italy. Friar Bernardino also spoke with Friar Cyrille KPALAFIO about vocation ministry and this year’s program (vocation weekends). In addition, Friar Bernardino met with Friar Gabriel PANGILINAN, the Rector of the Postulancy Program, regarding some short-term formation expectations.
On November 19-22, 2025, Friar Bernardino visited the Province of Sicily-Calabria to learn about the varied and rich formation experience that the Minister Provincial, Friar Salvatore M. PULIZZOTTO, and the Provincial Secretary, Friar Antonio PARISI, are promoting in the Provincial Vocation Reception Center. The Center is attached to our Minor Basilica of San Francesco in Palermo. The two friars are guiding a group of candidates through their initial phase of discernment, namely, the candidates’ first year of the pre-postulancy program. Friars Salvatore and Antonio aim to consolidate and develop a vocational ministry that is in harmony with the document Franciscan Discipleship.
It should be noted that the Italian Province of the Immaculate Conception (Sicily-Calabria) was only formed after the most recent General Chapter. It currently has two novices in Assisi and a newly solemnly professed member who is continuing his studies at the Seraphicum. The Kolbe Center in Carini offers a full schedule of formation activities—such as spiritual retreats and continuing formation—which complements the Province’s other programs along with a number of specialized training sessions. The Minister Provincial, Friar Salvatore, is currently the FIMP representative for formation; we wish him well in his work.
Friar Bernardino POSADA HOSPITAL
