ROME — The Order of Friars Minor distributed a four-page special edition of its newsletter Fraternitas, focusing on April’s International Chapter of Mats, in addition to its regular monthly edition.
The May 2 edition outlined events of each day, including witnessing on April 16, fasting and pilgrimage on April 17, and meeting with Pope Benedict XVI on April 18.
The newsletter closed with a summary of the event: “The Chapter of Mats was, indeed, four intense, moving and joyful days. We celebrated together an historical event. We lived together a moment of singular grace, i.e., together, as a Franciscan family, we placed the Gospel at the center once again, as it was at the heart of both the teachings and experience of our Seraphic Father, Francis of Assisi.”
The May issue of Fraternitas discussed the upcoming election of a new General Minister, June 4 in Assisi, Italy. He will be the 120th successor of St. Francis.
Other news included:
• Most Rev. Walter Jeová Heras Segarra, OFM, was nominated bishop of Zamora, Ecuador, by Pope Benedict XVI.
• The provinces of St. Bonaventure in Italy and St. Gregory Magno in Spain elected new provincial ministers.
• The General Minister traveled to the Holy Land May 7 to 16 with Pope Benedict XVI.