ROME — As the friars continue to prepare for this year’s General Chapter, Br. William Short, OFM, secretary of the chapter, shared a preview of the event with Fraternitas, the Order’s newsletter. In a question and answer session, Br. William outlines the schedule to be followed by the chapter, from reviewing the reports of the general minister and the offices …
General Curia’s February Update
ROME — General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, has officially convoked the 2015 General Chapter in accordance with the General Constitutions and General Statutes. This announcement was made in a letter from the General Minister titled “The Letter of Convocation of the General Chapter.” An excerpt was included in the February issue of Fraternitas, the Order’s newsletter. The election of …
General Curia’s January Update
ROME — In four months, members of the Order of Friars Minor from around the world will gather for the 2015 General Chapter. Approximately 160 friars are expected to participate in the May 10 to June 7 gathering in Assisi, according to the January issue of Fraternitas. The Order’s newsletter reports that the majority of those attending the chapter will …
General Curia’s December Update
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 …
Historic St. Francis Manuscripts on Display in New York City
NEW YORK — Franciscans in the New York City metro area have been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this month — a chance to view manuscripts that detail St. Francis’s life and the beginnings of the Order. For the first time in 700 years, 19 artifacts from the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi will be displayed outside the …
General Curia’s November Update
ROME — Throughout 2014, Franciscans in Ireland have celebrated the Year of the Holy Name of Jesus to commemorate a devotion begun by Fr. Francis Donnelly, OFM, in 1914. The goal of this year’s commemorations was simple, according to the November issue of Fraternitas, the Order’s monthly newsletter. The Franciscans sought “to promote a renewed reverence and devotion to the …
JPIC Continental Meeting Focuses on Enhancing Environmental Justice
BOGOTA, Colombia — Two representatives of Holy Name Province were part of a weeklong meeting last month to strengthen knowledge about environmental justice and better to prepare those responsible for justice, peace and integrity of creation advocacy. This “Fourth JPIC Continental Meeting of the Americas” included 25 JPIC animators representing countries from Canada to Chile. Joseph Rozansky, OFM, director of …
Dominic Monti Appointed General Visitor for California Province
OAKLAND, Calif. — General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, has appointed Dominic Monti, OFM, to serve as General Visitor for St. Barbara Province to prepare for the community’s chapter in 2016. “Dominic is well known to many of our friars, is a good listener and comes with a rich experience that will benefit us all through the process of chapter,” wrote …
General Curia’s October Update
ROME — Only following in the footprints of Jesus Christ can make us friars and minors. There is no other way. This is the message sent by the General Definitory to the Order about the feast of St. Francis. The letter, signed by General Minister Fr. Michael Perry and his eight General Councilors, calls the friars back to the roots …
Communicators of English-speaking Provinces Meet in Rome
ROME — Discussions about the General Chapter and visits to the OFM Curia and the Vatican Radio headquarters were among the agenda items for the ESC communicators when they gathered last month for their annual meeting. The representatives of English-speaking Conference provinces met at the Convento San Francesco, a friary run by Immaculate Conception Province, from Sept. 7 to 11. …
‘Singing Friar’ to Perform Again in United States
After a successful tour of the United States last year, Br. Alessandro Brustenghi, OFM, of the Umbrian province, is returning to the United States for another set of engagements as “The Singing Friar.” The Italian Franciscan with a powerful tenor voice will give a series of concerts for 2,000 children from the poorest neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore as …
Feast of St. Francis Approaches, Varied Events Planned
Holy Name Province’s members and ministries are celebrating the Oct. 4 feast of St. Francis with festivities both solemn and social. This year’s commemorations of the man who founded the Franciscan Order in 1209 are emphasizing the saint’s devotion to the environment. In Pompton Lakes, N.J., St. Mary’s Parish will mark with a Care for Creation fair the feast of …