From November 13-21, at the OFM General Curia, the new Provincial Ministers and Custodes of the Order met with the Minister General and his Definitory. The objective of this gathering (which included 21 Friars from 16 countries) was not only the formation of the Ministers and Custodes as they take on this new service, but also the personal growth of each Friar in an atmosphere of mutual listening (something we know to be of great importance in an Order so diverse with brothers from all over the world). This event also afforded each participant an opportunity for an individual encounter with the Minister General, to share with him the challenges, struggles, and joys of their entity.
On the first day, General Definitor, Br. John Wong, shared the results of a questionnaire that had been sent earlier to the participants with questions about their expectations for the meeting, topics they’d like to see addressed, and their thoughts on collaboration with the Minister General, the Definitory, and the offices of the General Curia. From the responses submitted, it seemed that the Friars were most interested in discussing fraternal relationships and institutional realities, according to the diverse situations of their local entities. They were also interested in their personal formation, hoping to better understand what they need to do to offer this new service to the men of their entities. In addition, many Friars wanted to discuss how to fraternally encourage and minister to the Friars under their care, especially during moments of crisis, how to accompany the larger community, and how to foster dialogue among the Friars facing the challenges of today.
The afternoon session was opened by Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, who spoke on the topic: “The service of authority as relationship: from the brothers of the Conferences.” Beginning by reflecting on Acts 20:17-38, which finds Saint Paul at the end of his ministry, the Minister, Br. Massimo, showed how Paul exercised his authority in relationship. “His was an authority played out in relationship, sharing the truth was a necessary service he offered. We must learn how to foster this culture of presenting the truth in love,” said Massimo, highlighting the importance of sharing in fraternal solidarity, seeking “together to live the will of God.”
The following day, Br. Darko Tepert, General Secretary of Formation & Studies, and Br. Hieronimus Dei Rupa (Vicar General) presented on the topic: “The service of formation offered by the Minister through relationship.” Using as their guide the Ratio Formationis Franciscanae, they reminded the participants of the importance of relationship with God, with the brothers, with the Order, and with the Church. Small group discussion followed.
Br. Francisco Gomez Vargas and Br. Dennis T. Tayo, respectively the General Secretary and General Animator of Missions and Evangelization, spoke of “The service of the Minister of evangelization in relation to himself and others.” Using as a point of departure Art. 51 of the General Statutes, these brothers spoke of new forms of missionary evangelization that emerge from a prophetic fraternity. Small group discussion followed.
In the afternoon, Br. Daniel Rodriguez and Br. Taucen Girsang, from the JPIC offices presented “An interconnected reality,” between the Franciscan net of migrants and the Franciscan net of the Mediterranean. They focused attention on the future, for example from May 19-26, 2024, there will be an International Course for new JPIC animators at the Antonianum in Rome.
In the days that followed, projects for the upcoming Franciscan Centenaries were discussed, including what the Order, the Holy Land Commissariat, and Antonianum are planning. The Order’s new database was also discussed, as well as the offices of the Curia and the economic situation of the entity.
Brothers shared about the pilgrimage of the Holy Valley of the Rieti Province, which takes brothers through the sanctuaries of Fonte Colombo and Greccio, visiting the sites where Saint Francis, 800 years ago, wrote the approved Rule and popularized the Christmas nativity scene. Br. Augustinus Kuwata, Minister of the Province of the Japanese Martyrs, was so grateful to God for his experience of this Rieti Valley pilgrimage. “At Fonte Colombo, we received from Br. Massimo a pocket-sized copy of the Rule. I was able to read it and pray with it in the actual spot where Saint Francis wrote it! Chapter Two spoke profoundly to me. It simply says that those who wish to accept this life as Friars must renounce all things and follow the Holy Gospel. If they sincerely desire this life, they should show they love the teachings of the Church and the Sacraments. This was a moment of grace that brought me back to the beginnings of my vocation.”
The meetings concluded on Tuesday, November 21 with Holy Mass presided over by the Minister General. Since it was the liturgical feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Br. Massimo highlighted the message of joy that the Virgin gives to all. “We will live this call to service not as if it were a heavy burden but a great joy to the extent that we cultivate our relationship with the Lord, seeking to live, to think, to feel, and to act always in faith, with a love that is alive, calling us out of ourselves,” he said in his homily.
The following Provincial Ministers and Custodes participated:
Alard Krzysztof Maliszewski (P. S. Edvige, Poland);
Antonio José Reyes López (C. Immaculate Conception BVM, Venezuela);
Augustinus Takuji Kuwata (P. Ss. Martyrs of Japan, Japan);
Azeem Lawrence (C. S. John Baptist, Pakistan);
Benedykt Maria Świderski (P. S. Michael Archangel, Ukraine);
Derrick Yap (C. S. Antony of Padua, Singapore);
Egidiusz Włodarczyk (P. Immaculate Conception BVM, Poland);
Fernando Valente da Silva Mota (P. Ss. Martyrs of Marocco, Portugal);
Jakub František Sadílek (P. S. Wenceslas, Czech Republic);
Jesús Barahona Vega (P. Saint Francis of Quito, Ecuador);
John of God Nguyen (P. S. Francis of Assisi, Vietnam);
Jozo Grbeš (P. Assumption BVM, Bosnia-Erzegovina);
Juraj Andrej Mihály (P. SS. Savior, Slovacchia);
Krzysztof Bobak (P. S. Mary of the Angels, Poland);
Leonard Bielecki (P. S. Francis of Assisi, Poland);
Marcos Iván Saravia Orellana (P. S. Francis Solanus, Perù);
Markus Fuhrmann (P. S. Elizabeth, Germany);
Rocha da Silva, Edilson (C. S. Benedict of Amazon, Brazil);
Witosław Sztyk (P. Assumption of BVM, Poland);
Xavier Durai Raj (P. S. Thomas the Apostle, India);
Zdravko Dadič (P. S. Cross, Bosnia-Erzegovina).
