On December 3-7, 2025, the Secretary General for Formation, Friar Bernardino Hospital Posada, visited Bari, Italy, to gain firsthand insight into the Italian Province of St. Joseph of Cupertino as it moves toward integration following the legal unification of the former Provinces of Abruzzo–Molise and Puglia.
During the visit, he met with the friars of the Mater Ecclesiae Friary (Mother of the Church) located at the Franciscan Oasis Spirituality Center in Bari. While there, he also met with the Minister Provincial, Friar Flavio Daniele MAIORANO; as well as the Director of Continuing Formation, Friar Alfonso DI FRANCESCO; and the Provincial Delegate for Vocation Ministry, Friar Paride AMMIRATI. During their meeting, conducted in a constructive atmosphere, they recognized the importance of continuing to work as a Province towards integrating the former Provinces of Abruzzo–Molise and Puglia. Toward this end, they highlighted the useful, necessary, and important work being done by the friars engaged in continuing and initial formation. Friar Bernardino visited the San Francesco Friary in the historic center of Bari, where he spoke with several friars who serve in this active and creative parish community. St. Nicholas of Bari guided this visit, which was characterized by meetings and fraternity.
On December 20-22, as Christmas approached, Friar Bernardino visited the Province of Our Lady of Montserrat in Spain. On this occasion, he visited the Province’s formation house located at the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Friary and Church in Madrid. He met with the members of the Vocation Ministry team, namely, the Provincial Delegate for Pastoral Ministry, Friar Jesús Abel GARCÍA-CEZÓN ROLDÁN; Friar Juan Luis CORMENZANA CARPIO, the Vicar Provincial and Guardian; and Friar Joaquín Ángel AGESTA CUEVAS, the Rector of the postulants and post-novices of the Province.
There are currently six men in formation at the formation house. Two are aspirants, one is a postulant and three are temporarily professed. During Friar Bernardino’s meeting with the President of the Formation Commission, Friar Joaquín AGESTA CUEVAS, and the solemnly professed of the Province, he reviewed the continuing formation initiatives being carried out in the friaries of the Province. Several communities conduct two hours of community formation a week. The Province also offers two spiritual retreats: one held during Lent exclusively for the friars of the Province, and another in the summer for both friars and lay collaborators. In the near future, the friars will conduct a third “Rivotorto Experience,” and the Province formation program will be updated to meet the current needs of the Jurisdiction.
Friar Bernardino HOSPITAL POSADA,
Secretary General for Formation
