The centenary anniversaries, linked to the life and charism of St Francis, will be celebrated by the Community of the Brothers of the General Curia with various initiatives and proposals.
The anniversaries of this year (Christmas at Greccio and the Rule) are a great opportunity to return to the source, pure and genuine, of our spirituality as a time to verify and renew the vocation of every Franciscan.
For the Brothers of the Curia, at the suggestion of the Guardian and his Discretorium, this "living journey of memory" began on Thursday, 3 May with a catechesis of ongoing formation, "The Christmas of Greccio invites us to live the Rule according to the dynamic of the Incarnation", held by Br Carlos Salto (Professor at the Antonianum University - Rome), centered on the events of Greccio and Fonte Colombo, holy places in the Rieti Valley where Francis celebrated the living Christmas and wrote the Rule.
The following day, 4 May, it can be said that the "word spoken the day before" took concrete form in the pilgrimage to Greccio and Fonte Colombo.
At Greccio, the friars visited the Sanctuary, welcomed and accompanied by the Guardian, Br Dominic, and were able to celebrate Mass in the Chapel that commemorates the first living crib in Christendom, fruit of the heart and faith of St Francis who, "with joyful bliss", wanted to relive concretely the profound mystery of the love "of God incarnate".
In the afternoon, the visit to Fonte Colombo, where the Guardian, Br Aldo, welcomed the friars to the "simple and humble refuge" beloved by Francis, where the Bollata Rule was written, still today the "seal, guide and faithful and secure foundation" to the path St Francis wanted for his friars.
The Holy Valley of Rieti, which St Francis loved deeply, appeared even more beautiful and precious to us after having spiritually completed this "incarnated" pilgrimage of memory that we hope will bring abundant fruit to the spiritual life of every Franciscan with the living witness of the Gospel of Christ.
