On May 12-16, 2025, the Italian Province of the Immaculate Conception (Sicily-Calabria) celebrated the second part of its Ordinary Provincial Chapter. The event took place at the Kolbe Center in Carini, near Palermo, (Sicily) Italy.
Before the Chapter began, Sister Paolina MASTRANDREA offered a reflection on the theme of service in fraternity, inspired by the Fourth Admonition of St. Francis and grounded in the passage from John 13:1–20. After a period of discussion, the Chapter proceedings got underway on the afternoon of May 12, with the Minister Provincial, Friar Salvatore M. PULIZZOTTO, presiding. Others present included the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), Friar Giovanni VOLTAN and twenty-one Capitulars. The General Visitator, Friar Emil KUMKA, was present on the evening of May 13 and the morning of May 14. He presided over Mass and was thanked by the entire assembly for his feedback on the Province, which he provided through his report.
During the proceedings the Capitulars discussed the topics in the Instrumentum laboris amid an atmosphere of listening, sharing and seeking the common good of the Province. On Wednesday afternoon, May 14, all the Capitulars made a jubilee pilgrimage to the Shrine of Santa Maria di Gesù Santocanale belonging to the Capuchin Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Lourdes, in Cinisi, near Palermo. After some light refreshments offered by the sisters, the Capitulars visited the Mother Church of Santa Fara, in Cinisi , where they were welcomed by the Archpriest, Father Antonio ORTOLEVA.
On Thursday May 15, Friar Rosario TERRANOVA was elected Provincial Econom and Friar Alberto BARBARO was elected Provincial Exactor. Next, the Guardians of the friaries and the Regional Spiritual Assistants of the Militia of the Immaculata in Sicily and Calabria were elected. Finally, Chapter Motions were approved, whereby the Capitulars decided to draft a directory of norms for the protection of minors; establish the Office of Provincial Cultural Assets; renovate the Provincial Financial Office; support some established entities of the apostolate such as the Gesù Liberatore Center and others still being developed, such as the “Leonardo Vitale Fraternity Park” (designed to prevent juvenile delinquency) and pastoral ministry at the university campus being created in Pergusa, Province of Enna, Sicily; revise the Provincial Statutes; confirm the suppression of the friary in Amantea, Region of Calabria, and postpone discussion on downsizing until the Extraordinary Chapter to be celebrated in 2026.
On the same day, the Capitulars, together with friars from neighboring communities, celebrated Friar Tommaso GAUDIO’s 65th anniversary of priestly ordination and Friar Antonio PARISI’s 21st anniversary of priestly ordination with a solemn Mass followed by a fraternal agape meal.
The Chapter concluded with the commemoration of some recently deceased friars. The Minister Provincial thanked the Assistant General and all the Capitulars for their contribution. He also thanked the friars whose willing service made the peaceful continuation of the life of the Province possible.
Friar Antonio M. PARISI, Chapter Secretary
