From the 21st to 25th July, at the General Curia, the General Definitory met with the General Visitors who in the coming months will lead the Canonical Visitation and will then preside over the Provincial and Custodial Chapters in various OFM Entities scattered throughout the world.
On the first day of the meeting, after a brief presentation of the participants, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the Order, spoke with a report entitled: "Pilgrims of hope: the Visitor General as a companion on the journey". Recalling the Holy Year that we are all experiencing, which spurs us to educate to hope, he invited the Visitors to help their brothers and sisters to "rediscover the reasons for hope, verifying and supporting formation courses for a renewed motivation to fraternal life in mission". Br. Massimo, as he has done on other occasions in the past, recalled the importance of meeting and listening, emphasizing the importance of prayer and the Eucharist at the center of the life of the fraternity. The Minister General also referred to the recent Chapter of Mats, recalling the importance that was given to the presence of the laity and the Franciscan Family in the communities, and to synodality in ways of life.
Afterwards, the Visitors worked on the dynamics of dialogue suggested by the Minister's report.
In the afternoon, the Definitor General Br. John Wong spoke on the theme "The Visitor's Service in Guiding the Chapter to Think as an Order: Themes from the CPO & Chapter of Mats," which was followed by a dialogue on how to help think as an Order in a synodal style.
The day ended with the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by Br. Ignacio Ceja, Vicar General, who in his homily, taking up the passage from Exodus from the liturgy of the day (Ex 14:5-18) recalled how, in the face of fear, we must always trust in God. "It seems to me that, in the spirit of St. Francis, this is also the mission of the Visitor: it is not just a matter of going to make an investigation into the situation of an Entity and then reproaching it with the report and making it understand where to correct itself. No, we are called to bring the Good News even during the Visit. The ministry that has been entrusted to you to carry out among your brothers and sisters is also a service of evangelization."
On the 22nd July, Br. Claudio Durighetto and Br. Chryzostom Fryc (respectively Procurator General and Deputy) explained the contents and practice of the Visitation, the designation of the candidates, the interim report and then the modalities of the Chapter, the elections, the Report to the Chapter, the Chapter Congress and the Final Report. This will be followed by a buzz session and the opportunity to ask questions and present individual cases in plenary.
In the afternoon , Br. Joel Esplana Sulse and Br. Saulo Duarte (General Treasurer and Vice) dealt with the theme "Suggestions for the economic aspect of the Visitation and Presentation of the form", while the Secretary General, Br. Antonio Iacona, spoke about the Acts (practical information) and the Timeline of the Visit, Chapter and Congress.
On Wednesday, 23rd July, the Visitors Genera had the opportunity to get to know the Offices and Secretariats of the General Curia, while in the afternoon they had individual talks with the Minister General and the Zone Definitor.
On the morning of the 24th, accompanied by the Definitor General, Br. Joaquin Echeverry, the Visitors passed through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica.
The afternoon was dedicated to the theme of Protection: Br. Albert Schmucki (Definitor General and President of the International Commission for Protection) introduced the theme by illustrating mandate 9 of the 2021 General Chapter; afterwards, Br. Iurii Semko and Br. Joe Condren (Director and Secretary of the Guardianship Office) presented the report entitled "How to verify the situation of Guardianship in the Entity during the Visit canonical".
On Friday, the 25th July, Br. Wanderley Gomes de Figueiredo and Br. Saulo Duarte addressed the theme of listening ("Listening to create meaningful communication") and conflict management in the service of the Visit and the Chapter.
After the plenary meeting to verify the meeting, the General Visitators and the friars of the Curia celebrated the Eucharist presided over by Br. Massimo Fusarelli. In his homily, recalling the liturgical feast of St. James the Apostle and the episode narrated in the Gospel (Mt 20:20-28), the Minister General focused on the mother of James and John who asks the Lord for a place of prestige for her children, in accordance with the request, "demonstrating that they have not entered into the logic of Jesus, which is that of the Cross. When we risk transforming service into the search for positions, authority into power and domination, Francis reminds us that we are far from the way of the Cross, our only glory," said Br. Massimo. The chalice of which Jesus speaks is not that "of triumph, but of the gift of self. It is the chalice that leads to the Cross, passing through daily service, listening, understanding, sometimes misunderstanding and rejection: brother visitors, you too are called to drink this cup." Moreover, following in the footsteps of St. James, the Minister urged the friars to go to the extreme ends of the Order to meet the brothers, not to check up on them, but in a spirit of communion: "Do not go to judge, but to listen. Not to impose, but to accompany. Not to extinguish, but to ignite the hope that feeds even in difficulties".
"Dear visitors, return to your Provinces carrying in your hearts the chalice that St. James was the first to drink among the apostles. It is not a bitter chalice, but the chalice of the Eucharist: the one that transforms the gift of self into new life for all," concluded Br. Massimo
Read the homily of Br. Ignacio Ceja: Italiano – English – Español
Read the homily of Br. Massimo Fusarelli: Italiano – English – Español
The meeting was attended by:
Br. Jorge Iván González Silva, OFM
Ms. Nestor Inacio Schwerz, OFM
Br. Matus Pavol Racek, OFM
Br. Wanderley Carvalho Do Couto, OFM
Br. João Carlos Karling, OFM
Br. Wanderley Gomes de Figueiredo, OFM
Br. Cristobal de Jesús Díaz Martínez, OFM
Br. Martin Lütticke, OFM
Br. Paul Nguyen Dinh Vinh, OFM
Br. Alberto Pisapia, OFM
Br. Georges Massinelli, OFM
Br. Stephen O’Kane, OFM
Br. Jorge Arturo Luna Villalobos, OFM
Br. Tomaz Hočevar, OFM
Br. Giampaolo Possenti, OFM
Br. Mario Wilson Ramos Novoa, OFM
Br. Raymundo Caballero, OFM
Br. Szabolcs Orbán, OFM
Br. Maggiorino Stoppa, OFM
