The meeting of the Franciscan temporary professed of all the obediences of the Croatian-speaking area took place from the 21st to 23rd March 2025 in Visoko (Bosnia and Herzegovina), in the Province of the Holy Cross - Argentine Bosnia. On behalf of the Province, the organization was supervised by Br. Danijel Nikolić, OFM, formator of the temporarily professed.
The meeting was attended by friars of different obediences: the Friars Minor from the Provinces of the Holy Cross and the Assumption of Mary (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and of St. Cyril and Methodius and St. Jerome (Croatia); the Conventual Friars of the Province of St. Jerome and the Capuchin Friars of the Province of St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić.
In total, the meeting was attended by 50 temporary professed, 6 formators and 5 Provincial Ministers.
The goal was to foster connection between the temporarily professed and to reflect together on life according to the Canticle of the Creatures. The meeting was enriched by a special programme that included in particular the common liturgy of Lauds, devotions, the celebration of Mass, being together in fraternity and various sports activities.
The Eighth Centenary of the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures emphasized the importance of admiration for God's creatures and praising God, their Creator, as highlighted by Br. Danijel Nikolić in his speech. Through the common activities, the participants had the opportunity to reflect on Francis' legacy and to deepen their spirituality.
The communion that was created between the friars, as well as the joy in fraternal harmony, achieved the purpose of the meeting: a strong spiritual connection was created.
This gathering was an example of an authentic Franciscan fraternity, in which the friars of different obediences and Provinces, despite their differences, celebrated their love of God together, reflected on Francis' vocation and joy, and mutually enriched each other in faith and spiritual communion.
