ROME — The general ministers of the First Order and the Third Order Regular (TOR) will hold an International Chapter of Mats in April to commemorate the eighth centenary of the beginning of the Franciscan Order.
The gathering, which will attract attendees from around the world, will be held in Assisi with a half-day visit to Rome.
Among the representatives participating in the four-day gathering will be friars from Holy Name Province.
Holy Name friars interested in attending this historic event, are asked to notify the Provincial Council via Michael Harlan, OFM, Provincial Secretary. The council members will select three Holy Name friars to attend the April 15 – 18 gathering.
A booklet, pictured above, describing details of the chapter was distributed to Franciscan ministries. It contains a letter of convocation for a chapter.
In it, the four general ministers said, “We, along with the ministers provincial of five continents and the delegates of 300 Franciscan entities, as sons of one father, St. Francis, will represent in theory, the multitude of many generations of friars, who throughout eight centuries, as well as today, desire to give witness to the “grace of our origins” and appreciation for the gift of the fraternity.”
The Chapter of Mats will begin April 15 with a meeting in the chapter tent at Piazza Porziunola.
Detailed information about the event can be found on the Web site of the International Chapter of Mats which will offer periodic updates.
Participants must register by Dec. 31, 2008. Participation fees include housing in Assisi, meals, bus transfers during the days in Assisi and other expenses.