ROME — The General Curia reported on two Holy Name Province friars in its May issue of Fraternitas, along with updates about the 750th anniversary of the Constitutions of Narbonne, member statistics of the Order of Friars Minor and a possible interprovincial novitiate for the seven provinces of southern Italy.
The study day in Narbonne, France, was held on April 10. The Constitutions were adopted at the General Chapter in 1260, under the leadership of St. Bonaventure.
The Constitutions were updated many times over the years, and offer a clear picture of the phases that the OFM went through during its long history, especially in the early years, according to Fraternitas.
Among the five presenters at the study day was Cardinal Franc Rode, prefect of the congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, who said, “By observing these Constitutions, the religious will be persevering in his/her communion with the Church, and offering the world a witness of Gospel life.”
In other news, Fraternitas reported that as of Dec. 31, 2009, there were 14,525 Friars Minor, compared to 14,724 in 2008, a drop of 199.
It also reported on the new general visitors, mentioning that Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, was appointed to the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The appointment of Daniel Sulmasy, OFM, to the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues was also reported in the newsletter.