Canonical Visitation to the Fraternity of Penitentiaries at St. John Lateran

From 17 to 19 April 2026, the Canonical Visitation to the Fraternity of the House of Penitentiaries in St. John Lateran took place. The Visitator General was Br. Konrad Cholewa, OFM, the Definitor General. 

The Lateran Fraternity is composed of eight friars from seven different countries of the world: Mexico, Italy, Poland, Malta, the Philippines, the Ivory Coast, Syria. 

At the beginning of the visit, Br. Konrad met with the Major Penitentiary, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, who is the first person in charge of the mission of the Penitentiary Friars. A special moment during the visit was also the meeting with the community of the Oblate Sisters of Santa Marta, who collaborate in the service of the Friars Minor at the Lateran. 

The visit took place in an atmosphere of listening, accompaniment, and fraternal sharing, according to the spirit of St. Francis: "The Lord gave me brothers". The three days of mutual listening were characterised by intense moments of liturgical prayer, the celebration of the Eucharist as the centre of fraternal life, and the service of confessions, culminating in the Chapter of the Visitation. 

The Visitor emphasized the richness of the Fraternity in its international dimension as a gift to be cultivated through an ever deeper mutual knowledge. He also highlighted that fraternal life, and the sacrament of reconciliation are the "two lungs" of the Lateran community that should always breathe together. 

The mission entrusted to the Penitentiaries is a concrete witness to mercy, reconciliation, and service in the universal Church. 

The Lateran Fraternity lived this time of the Visit as a grace, in a spirit of simplicity and truth, accepting the indications received to grow in the charity that illuminates their daily ministry. 

The Friars Minor have served as Penitentiaries in the Lateran since the time of Pope Pius V in the sixteenth century.