In welcoming remarks after the opening mass Nov. 9, Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS, reminded delegates, or capitulars, that the purpose of a Chapter “is to study, review, and make plans concerning our life and apostolic vocation.”
He encouraged them to keep in mind “our Secular Franciscan Vocation” while addressing the “main theme of the Chapter – ‘You Are Love’.” Despite our “many jobs, tasks and duties, we have to return to the focus of our life”; namely, that “God loves us and we have to share this love with others.”
Pointing to the fact that attendees are now participants in an international fraternity, he urged them to “discover the beauty of the life this kind of fraternity will bring!” Treat one another as brother and sister, he said, and “do not be afraid of conflicts” because understanding and reconciliation will be all the better for it.