On the Feast of the Stigmata of the Poverello of Assisi, we publish the Letter from the Minister and the General Definitory to the entire Order for the Solemnity of St. Francis 2023.
“On this occasion we would like to deepen the theme of listening, so important in our life and mission.”, mentioned in the Letter. “Our charism, in fact, was born from the Gospel heard by Francis at the Porziuncola, listening to the Gospel that immediately became also listening to the Church, represented in the priest who explained to the young Francis the meaning of those words. In the course of almost fifteen years, the original forma vitae, which began with this happy encounter with the Gospel, has been adapted through listening to the brethren and the signs of the times, carried out above all in the Chapters. In this way, through a fraternal discernment carried out by Francis and his brothers, the Franciscan charism gradually acquired its textual configuration that received definitive approval eight hundred years ago in the Regula Bollata.”.
Full text of the Letter: Italiano - English - Español - Deutsch - Français - Hrvatski - Português - Polski
This year the Solemnity of St. Francis will coincide with the opening of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will have the theme "For a Synodal Church: communion, participation, mission" (First Session).
