Friar Timothy KULBICKI, the Secretary of the International Commission for the Revision of the Constitutions (CIRC) visited the friars of the Provincial Custody of the Orient and the Holy Land, at the behest of its Custos, Friar Anton BULAI, to give a presentation on the new Constitutions, which went into effect on February 2, 2019.
The friars, together with the Custos, gathered for two meetings. The first was held February 4, 2019, in Büyükdere, Turkey. The second was held March 7, 2019, in Beirut, Lebanon. Friar Timothy gave his presentation on the Constitutions, under the theme: “Everything Flows from the First Two Numbers of the Constitutions”.
In his introduction, Friar Timothy presented the work of the Commission and the Order, describing how the revision of the Constitutions was carried out through the reflection of all the friars. Then, he talked about the conclusion of the work, describing the final drafting and approval of the Constitutions at the Extraordinary General Chapter held during July and August of 2018,
Friar Timothy reminded the friars of the journey they had made, and pointed out the profound reasons why the revision of the Constitutions was needed: the displacement of the Order in new areas around the globe, and new problems in the contemporary world that touch the lives of the friars, emphasizing the importance of the Constitutions for our life. Being familiar with the text of the Constitutions is important for deepening our identity, renewing our life and for ongoing formation.
The theme of the revision of the Constitutions was presented under various aspects: Religio (the Order in its foundation), Fraternity, Minority, Conventuality, Marianity and Communion.
The friars expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Friar Timothy for his fraternal visit, by showing their willingness to put these fundamental principles into practice in their lives.
Friar Martin KMETEC, OFM Conv.
