On July 24-29, 2023, the friars of the Province of St. Agatha and St. Lucy in Italy (Sicily) along with some religious from other congregations, conducted a spiritual retreat at the Kolbe Center in Carini (Palermo, Sicily) Italy.
Friar Domenico PAOLETTI, currently a member of the Franciscanum Friary in Assisi, led the reflections.
The theme of the retreat was, “The Strength of Weakness – Precious Fragility.” Friar Domenico presented some passages from the Old Testament, Gospels and Franciscan Sources that deal with the aspect of fragility.
The atmosphere of the retreat was serene and contemplative, interspersed with prayer, meditations, beautiful and well-executed celebrations, and meals, all within the wonderful panoramic landscape that surrounds the Kolbe Center. The setting helped the men and women religious present to experience a fruitful and favorable time of grace.
Some nuns from different places and ethnic groups offered their own cultural contribution by performing traditional music and songs from their home countries. The participants experienced how everyone’s fragility is no longer weakness if it is shared. Perhaps this is the secret of religious life: accepting the weakness of others and sharing one’s own fragility in order to form communities that, despite their weaknesses, become precious examples for the world.
Friar Rosario TERRANOVA, Provincial Secretary
