ROME — Pope Benedict XVI visited Assisi last month, along with leaders of the religions of the world, as part of the commemoration of the 1986 gathering of the Spirit of Assisi. The Oct. 27 gathering, according to the November 2011 issue ofFraternitas, was a day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice and “a privileged moment to relive the 25th anniversary of the historic meeting convened by Pope John Paul II.”
The monthly publication of the Order of Friars Minor also described the silent march through the streets of Florence on Oct. 22 in honor of the anniversary and the traditions in Slovenia marking the anniversary.
The current newsletter also announced a new Franciscan school being inaugurated this month in Paris to “encourage the study and transmission of the immense Franciscan cultural and artistic heritage.” The inauguration is taking place Nov. 18 to 19 in the Convent of St. Francis with a celebration and a symposium.
This month’s Fraternitas also reports on:
· the Secular Franciscan Order’s general chapter
· meeting of archivists of the Church
· upcoming meeting of the general visitors with General Minister Fr. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, OFM
· three books under the standard Franciscan Bookmark column
Information about the Order is provided in three languages on its website.
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas