The day began with enthusiasm and a shared sense of hope and mission, thanks in part to the minister general of the Conventual Franciscan friars as well as Franciscan Youth, or YouFra. Friar Carlos Alberto Trovarelli, OFM Conv., minister general, said it was “a real privilege” to be invited “to preside over the Eucharist” at …
LOVE OF GOD ROME — A panel discussion on several types of love was among the highlights of the General Chapter on Nov. 14. Former Presidency Councillor Michel Janian from Lebanon said signs of God’s love are everywhere — in creation, in Christ, the Bible, the Rule, the writings of St. Francis. Living God’s love …
Panelists: Love of God, Love for Others, Love of Self Read More »
In addition to being minister general of the Third Order Regular friars, Amando Trujillo Cano, TOR, is a singer/songwriter. So, it didn’t come as a great surprise when he brought his music to the General Chapter mass on Nov. 14. Following his homily on the need to be tirelessly counter-cultural in the face of local …
Delivering the General Chapter’s keynote address, Michèle Altmeyer, OFS, first pointed to Saint Paul’s comment on Jesus: “He loved us.” And “so begins Pope Francis’ encyclical of 24 October 2024, “Dilexit nos”, “He has loved us””. Then she pointed to St. Francis of Assisi. “At the height of his spiritual life, an immense praise of …
Keynote presentation addresses our response to God’s love Read More »
ROME – The voting body of the Secular Franciscan Order’s General Chapter overwhelmingly approved its revised International Statute on Nov. 12. At the previous General Chapter in 2021, the Statute of the International Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order was approved ‘ad experimentum’. This means that during the past three years, its practical application was …
General Chapter approves revised International Statute Read More »
Chatter and giggles erupted several times during the homily on Nov. 12, the fourth day of the General Chapter. It was because the celebrant, Fr. Fernando Ventura, OFM Cap., was telling chapter attendees to look in each other’s eyes, to really see the person, to embrace their dignity and their humanity. So, they turned to …
Embrace one another and work harder to build a better world Read More »
When the Capuchin minister general and other friars were lined up in the sanctuary at the start of mass on Nov. 11, OFS Minister General Tibor Kauser took to the podium to welcome Fr. Roberto Genuin, OFM Cap., expressing gratitude for the solidarity and fraternity among friars and Secular Franciscans. Similarly, Friar Roberto concluded the …
MINISTER GENERAL’S REPORT With an Order that stretches across the globe, it is sometimes difficult to acquire an accurate census of membership. Nevertheless, “we can say that the total number of Secular Franciscans worldwide is more or less 200,000 and Franciscan Youth is around 60,000,” Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS, told the General Chapter in …
For an Order of 200,000, living the Gospel is the way to the future Read More »
The word of God this Sunday has meaning for “us men and women who wear the Tau, a sign of our ongoing conversion,” as proclaimed “in our profession,” Fr. Carlos Ginés C. Julve, TOR, told Chapter attendees during mass Nov. 10. It tells us that in the midst of need, as the widow of Zarephath …
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 …
