Revision of the General Constitutions

The Delegate Pro Monialibus, Br. Fabio Gomez, OFM, together with Sisters Mother Clare Cristiana Mondonico OSC and Sr. Clare Benedetta Conte OSC, as Members of the Commission for the Revision of the General Constitutions, participated in Loreto (Italy) as speakers at the Day of Formation for all the Sisters of the "Immaculate Heart of Mary" Federation of the Poor Clares of Marche-Abruzzo (Italy) on the theme: "The Revision of the Constitutions: steps and horizons of a journey".

After the initial prayer and greetings from the Mother President, Sister Rosella Clare Mancinelli, and the Federation Assistant, Fr Alessandro Angelisanti, OFM, the speakers were given the floor.

Br Fabio then discussed the theme, emphasising the reasons for the Path of Revision of the Constitutions, opened in 2021 by Minister General Br Massimo Fusarelli. Drawing on his various talks to the Sisters, he explained that the motivations are of the following type.

• charismatic: St Clare, following in the footsteps of Christ the Way, left us a Rule, the final result of the radical experience lived over time, listening to the Lord and the sisters;
• ecclesiological: within the Church - people on a journey - the Revision of the Constitutions is conducted with the indications that Pope Francis offers to the Synodal journey;
• cultural: the Poor Clares allow themselves to be questioned by the challenges of the time and place themselves in continuous conversion.

Then Sister Clare Benedetta Conte and Mother Clare Cristiana Mondonico took the floor and reported on the steps that have been taken so far and the perspectives that can be glimpsed and that will have to be faced on a charismatic, experiential and canonical level.
The work done so far has shown substantial unity among the world's monasteries, and communion has been experienced among the members of the Commission, even in diversity.

Entrusting the continuation of the work to the Spirit of the Lord and His Holy Work, the speakers and the entire Commission were thanked for this valuable service they are performing for the Order.

To the praise of Christ and Clare the poverella.

Sr Maria Rita Mongia
Federal Secretary