On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi was celebrated at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome. The solemn Mass began at 6:30 p.m. During the celebration, Friar Tomás Valerio ZEBALLO CABALLERO, from the Delegation in Paraguay, made his solemn profession. Friar Tomás Valerio currently resides at the Seraphicum College in Rome.
The Mass was presided over by the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI. Those concelebrating included the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), Friar Marian GOŁĄB; the Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI; the Pastor and Guardian at Twelve Holy Apostles, Friar Francesco CELESTINO; and Friar Wildo José BOGARÍN from Paraguay. Also present were the friars of the General Curia, the doctoral students from the Friary of St. Anthony at the Baths (“Vigna”) in Rome, and the students and professors at the Seraphicum College. The Mass was animated with singing by the Constantinian Chorale under the direction of Friar Robert CALLEJA. Friar Valdo R. NOGUEIRA led a number of friars in formation who provided service during the liturgy.
During his homily, the Minister General, spoke about the importance of the Later Rule, which St. Francis left us. He pointed out how the Rule and life of the Friars Minor can be translated simply as our living the Gospel in an Easter way, daily renewing the vows we promise to keep. He then urged the friar making his solemn profession, and all the friars, never to lose the sense of new life that stems from faith in Christ, faith to which they give witness.
Before the final blessing, the Minister Provincial of Cracow thanked the newly professed and urged him to live his consecration with joy until the last breath of his life. Immediately afterwards, the newly professed Friar Tomás Valerio thanked everyone for attending and quoted from St. Francis’ Praises to the Most High God to stress how, precisely by living in fraternity, he is able to profoundly experience God. He went on to say that he also encountered God through His servant Francis and his successors. “All of you my brothers here present, those who are not present and who have formed part of my life, you have transmitted to me the Franciscan charism. You have shown me that true hope, that mature faith, that strongly human and deep charity, that love that is expressed with gentleness and tenderness. You have shown me the path to eternal life and taught me to love the Lord God Almighty with authenticity, the God who made himself small for me and gave me salvation.”
At the end of the celebration, the Minister General imparted his blessing, holding a relic of St. Francis. All those present then proceeded into the cloister of the friary for a fraternal agape meal.
Friar Roberto LIGGERI
