On 7th May, the Fraternity of the General Curia in Rome celebrated the Solemnity of its Patroness: St Mary Mediatrix of All Graces. The most solemn moment of the feast was the Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by the Minister General, Br Massimo Fusarelli, with the homily delivered by the Vicar General of the Order, Br Ignacio Ceja Jiménez, who reminded those present how St Francis wished to place the whole Order under the protection of the Mother of God. In his homily, he cited how St. Bonaventure "placing all his trust in her, he made her his Advocate and that of his friars, and for this reason, he led his friars to the Church of the Portiuncula because he wanted the Order of Friars Minor to grow and develop under the protection of the Mother of God".
The Vicar concluded his homily by inviting those present to implore Mary's intercession so that the Church and the Order may truly be credible signs of God's merciful presence in the midst of the men and women of our time through their commitment to a new world in justice and peace.
The celebration ended with a prayer before the image of Mary Mediatrix. The celebration was attended by the friars of the Curia and the friaries scattered around Rome, the religious sisters, and representatives of the Knights of St. Columbus, who, with their school, are the closest neighbours of the General Curia.
