ROME — In tandem with the start of the Year of Consecrated Life on Saturday, Nov. 29, General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, sent a letter to the Order encouraging friars to take part in this worldwide recognition of men and women religious.
“As Friars Minor, we welcome with great joy the invitation of the ‘Lord Pope,’ as well as his hope that the celebration of consecrated life will become for each one of us a renewed witness to evangelical life,” wrote the General Minister.
Fr. Michael pointed out that there is “a surprising convergence” between the theme of the Year of Consecrated Life and the ideas outlined in the Lineamenta that was written to prepare the friars for the General Chapter in 2015.
“We would like to treasure all the reflections, challenges, ecclesial experiences and prayers regarding consecrated life to nourish and enrich our journey of preparation for the upcoming General Chapter,” he wrote. “The chapter’s fundamental theme will be the primary vocation which our founder, St. Francis, has left us in the name that he has given us, Friars Minor. In this name, we are called to live in an authentic manner our brotherhood and minority in our day, so as to be true brothers and minors among and amid the people of our contemporary humanity.”
He encouraged friars to participate in YCL activities that will take place throughout the year, saying “Let us join voluntarily the celebrations and initiatives that will be realized in this regard by our local churches, so that this grace-filled event will also be an expression on ecclesial communion.”
An itinerary for the year, as well as more information on the YCL, is included in a new section of the Order’s website, according to the December issue of Fraternitas.
The Order’s monthly newsletter also reports on the fact that eight friars will be elected to the General Definitory at the chapter in 2015. Of these friars, three will come from the European conferences, two from the Latin-American conferences, and one each from the English-speaking Conference, the African Conference and the Conferences of Asia and Oceania.
Fraternitas also includes information about:
- The election of Sr. Françoise Massy, FMM, provincial of the province in France, as the 11th Superior General of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Fr. Michael presided at the election.
- The installation of Sr. Mary Melone, SFA, as rector of the Pontifical Antonianum
- The XIV General Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order, the sixth elective chapter. Tibor Kauser was elected General Minister and Maria Consuelo de Núñez was elected Vice-Minister General. Jenny Harrington of South Africa will serve as the councilor for the English-speaking area of North America and Africa.
— Compiled by Maria Hayes