Rome, 6 January 2023. Yesterday ended the visit to the Province of Lithuania of the Minister General, Br Massimo Fusarelli, accompanied by the General Definitor of the Anglophone Conference, Br Jimmy Zammit.
Four days rich in meetings, reflections and sharing in a land that has seen the Franciscan presence since 1200, after the death of St Francis.
In the photos: meeting with the Poor Clares of the Monastery of Kretinga, founded 25 years ago by the Monastery of Mantova (Italy); meeting at Klapeida with the local fraternity and visit to the oncological hospital spiritually assisted by the friars, who together with the laity offer care, assistance and facilitated accommodation for the sick and their families; meeting with the Provincial Vicar; meeting with some representatives of the government; meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio and the Bernardine sisters; Hill of Crosses, a very important place for Lithuanian faith and devotion. Razed to the ground several times during communism, it has always been reborn and to this day constitutes an important reference point for the entire community. Br Massimo planted a cross here in memory of his visit, accompanying it with a prayer for all the brothers of the Order and for the Franciscan family. Next to the Hill is the friary, which stands in continuity with the Verna sanctuary.
