On the solemnity of Pentecost, the Portiuncula welcomed the beginning of the Plenary Council of the Order (CPO), which began immediately after the conclusion of the Chapter of Mats.
The meeting began with the report of the Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM, who stressed that the CPO was born from the grace of the International Chapter of Mats that ended on the same day. For seven days, friars, religious women and lay members of the Franciscan Family from all continents reflected on charism, fraternity (communion) and mission in our time.
The Minister General emphasized that “we cannot limit ourselves to maintaining what we have received, nor continue to settle for marginal adjustments. We need the audacity to rethink our way of being fraternity, both international and local, our structure and the capacity for greater collaboration”.
Br. Massimo also spoke of the need to renew initial formation and the meeting with young people, to carry out a review of the Ratio Formationis Franciscanae and to adapt the General Definitory to the new Franciscan geography. He also indicated that for the General Chapter 2027 crucial issues such as the Franciscan identity in the change of epoch, the Government of the Order, and the role of the Conferences in authentic co-responsibility are envisaged.
Subsequently, Sister Chiara Codazzi presented a summary of the final Document of the Chapter of Mats, underlining the importance of opening to the Holy Spirit as the protagonist of the journey. “It is He who has raised up the Franciscan forma vitae and only He can vivify it, renew it and open new horizons”.
The program also included the approval of the regulations and the election of the Economic Affairs Council of the CPO. The day ended with the recitation of Vespers in linguistic groups.
This Plenary Council marks an important moment to discern the steps necessary for the future of the Order, especially in view of the General Chapter of 2027.
Download the Minister General's report (Italian)
Download the summary of the final document of the Chapter of the Mats by Sister Chiara Codazzi: Italiano - English - Español
