On July 8-12, 2024, the Province of Our Lady of Montserrat in Spain celebrated the second part of its Ordinary Provincial Chapter, again at the San Buenaventura Friary in Madrid. Those present included the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali, Friar Giovanni VOLTAN, and the Custos of the Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia, Friar Sidifredo de la Cruz CHAPARRO GUALDRÓN.
The Minister Provincial, Friar Juan Antonio ADÁNEZ SILVÁN with his Definitory, led the Chapter proceedings. They explored the topics and motion proposals contained in the Instrumentum Laboris which the friaries of the Province had worked on some time ago. Among the relevant topics, much debated by the Capitulars, were the restructuring of the Province, the possibility of a Provincial infirmary to be founded in collaboration with the Capuchins in Madrid, and further reflection on protocols concerning the final stages of life and the death of each friar. The Capitulars also studied and approved a document focused on the abuse of minors and vulnerable persons, in compliance with directives issued by the Church and the Order.
Various speakers contributed their expertise, which facilitated the discussion of certain topics. The Jesuit Father Miguel CAMPO spoke about the final stages of life. Friar Carlos COCA, the Capuchin Minister Provincial of Spain, discussed the common infirmary. Javier POVEDA spoke about sustainable and responsible finances. The Claretian Father Luis Alberto GONZALO, an expert in religious life, discussed the restructuring of the Province. Marina PANERA, the head of the Conference of Consecrated Life in Spain, spoke again about the “misión compartida” [shared mission] between religious and lay people. Teresa VALERO and Chus MORÁN, the heads of “Autem”, an institute that runs an accredited course in pastoral leadership, also spoke to the Capitulars. Other guests included the National Minister of the Secular Franciscan Order, Antonio ALVAREZ; the National President of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.), Cristina MONSALVE and the International President of the M.I., Miquel BORDAS PRÓSZYNSKI. Many voices were heard, and there was much food for thought!
The Capitulars were happy to hear that after celebrating the first part of the Chapter, the Province found a house in the small town of Astorga, thanks to an institute of the Apostolic Missionaries of Charity. This house can become a stable and international community for receiving pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago [Way of St. James] who are heading to Compostela, Spain. Thus, in harmony with the Order, we can now develop the “Proyecto Astorga.” It is a significant project, resulting from fifteen years of summer service to pilgrims in the town of Ponferrada, Spain, a work staffed by friars in formation from different formation houses in the Order. The work done in Ponferrada served as a small sign of inter-Provinciality, of shared Franciscan charism on the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route from which Europe was born. We are looking forward to the “Proyecto Astorga”!
Towards the end of the Chapter, the Capitulars voted to approve the draft of the 2024-28 Four-Year Provincial Plan. They also elected the ten Guardians and the Rector of the formation house.
Although the weather outside was sweltering, the fraternal climate during the Chapter was refreshing and promoted the serenity of the Chapter proceedings, which everyone found fruitful. The Province of Spain is entering a delicate phase, one marked by a new restructuring process that the friars must tackle with hope and confidence: “Andando se hace camino!”[by walking, we create a path].
Provincial Secretariat