We present issue No. 66 of Communion and Communication with special joy and gratitude, not only because it is a particularly substantial issue that concludes the series dedicated to the 800-year-old vernacular writings of St. Francis, Audite, Poverelle and Canticle of the Creatures, but above all because numerous Sisters from around the world have readily, willingly, and even spontaneously sent testimonies and reflections (from France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Ireland), expressing their desire to share with others their roots (United States, Japan), initiatives, and figures from their and our more or less recent history (United States, Italy).
This was precisely the spirit that was to inspire Communion and Communication in the dream of its creator, Br. Dario Pili, OFM. In this same spirit, we still write and read it today, seeking to put into words the four aspects of our Way of Life through which Br. Fábio reinterprets the Canticle of the Creatures for us and with us: “The primacy of contemplation, the concreteness of fraternal life, the acceptance of our finitude, and the spirit of service.”
We are furthermore already looking forward to the next issue, which will be published in June 2026, when we will celebrate the 8th Centenary of the Blessed Transitus of our Father St. Francis.
2026 will also be the 8th Centenary of the two Testaments. We would like, therefore, to use Francis’s will/legacy, as expressed in the so-called Testament of Siena (April-May 1226), as a guide for our communications through the cTc.
«Write that I bless all my brothers who are now in this Congregation and those who will enter it up to the end of the world.
And since I cannot speak because of weakness and the pains of illness, I briefly manifest my will to my brothers in these three words.
That is: as a sign and memory of my blessing and my testament, they always love one another;
that they always love and observe our lady, Holy Poverty;
and that they always be faithful and subject to the prelates and all the clerics of Holy Mother Church.»
No. 67 will therefore have as its guideline, the “first word” that St. Francis left us as a “sign and memorial” of his blessing: “May we always love one another” - the gifts and challenges of living in fraternal love.
So let’s wish one another “Merry Christmas”, opening our hearts to thanksgiving, aware that we can love each other as Sisters, because, through His birth from the Virgin Mary, “the Lord of Majesty became a brother to us” (cf. 2Cel CL,198).
Happy reading!
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