Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete Et Exsultate

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N° 314 Index MAY-JUNE 2018 01 Gaudete et exsultate 02 The Lenten Sermons of Br. Raniero Cantalamessa Apostolic exhortation 03 Br Cantalamessa on Good Friday Gaudete et exsultate 04 He who saw it has borne witness 06 A Week for the New Provincial Ministers 07 Letter of thanks giving of Pope of the Holy Francis to the General Minister 08 Elections and appointments Father Francis 10 Second annual Capuchin Family Day: July 3, 2018 11 200th Anniversary of the Birth of on the call St. Conrad of Parzham to holiness 12 Capuchins in the streets of Barcelona 13 «Mission – a new challenge» in today’s world 14 Logo of the 2018 General Chapter 16 OFMCap Mobile App 18 Sentire cum Ecclesia

16. This holiness to which the Lord about his hopes and dreams, and calls you will grow through small even though she is tired, she sits gestures. Here is an example: a wo- down and listens with patience and man goes shopping, she meets a nei- love. That is another sacrifice that ghbour and they begin to speak, and brings holiness. Later she experien- the gossip starts. But she says in her ces some anxiety, but recalling the heart: “No, I will not speak badly love of the Virgin Mary, she takes of anyone”. This is a step forward her rosary and prays with faith. Yet in holiness. Later, at home, one of another path of holiness. Later still, her children wants to talk to her she goes out onto the street, encounters a poor person and stops to say a kind word to him. One more step. Mobile app Download the material 24. May you come to realize what OFMCap that word is, the message of Jesus that God wants to speak to the world by your life. Let yourself be transformed. Let yourself be renewed by the Spirit, so that this can hap- pen, lest you fail in your precious mission. The Lord will bring it to fulfilment despite your mistakes and missteps, provided that you do not abandon the path of love but remain ever open to his supernatu- ral grace, which purifies and enli- ghtens. INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 The Lenten Sermons of Br. Raniero Cantalamessa

atican City. Again during This sermon speaks of “humility as sober judgment,” Vthis past Lent Br. Raniero drawing especially on St. Paul when he says, “What Cantalamessa, Preacher to the do you have that you did not receive?” as well as on Papal Household, offered his words the writings of certain mystics like St. Teresa of Áv- to the Holy Father and the members ila and St. Angelo of Foligno. Continuing on the topic of the Roman Curia. Many bishops, cardinals, priests, of humility, Br. Raniero spoke of Mary as the humble religious, and officials working in the Vatican came to handmaid of the Lord. He then spoke on “humility and hear him each Friday morning in the Redemptoris Ma- humiliation” with many references of The Imitation of ter Chapel. The mosaics of the Chapel, illustrating the Christ. history of salvation, the work of Marko Rupnik, made The fourth sermon, “Let every person be subject to for a worthy frame for the words of the Apostolic Pre- the governing authorities” treated the difficult spiritual acher. Christian holiness was the general theme of the questions of obedience, concluding with the section, 2 five sermons. “An obedience always open to all” and authority as the The first sermon, given on March 15, was entitled, “Do “authoritativeness that comes from having God behind not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2), and you.” treated “Christians and the world,” “The crisis of the The fifth and final sermon was on Christian purity: idea of ‘fuga mundi’”, and “the form of this world is “Let us put on the armor of light.” Beginning with the N° 314 passing away.” witness of St. Augustine in his Confessions, Br. Ranie- The second sermon was dedicated to Christian love: ro spoke on the motivations for Christian purity, purity “Let love be genuine.” In this sermon Br. Raniero trea- as beauty and as love of neighbor, and purity and re- ted the sources of Christian holiness, charity as sincere newal. The sermon concludes with an exhortation to be love, and charity both for those outside and within the “pure of heart.” Christian community. At the end of this cycle of Lenten sermons, Br. Raniero The third sermon was on Christian humility. “Do offered his best wishes for a happy Easter to the Holy not think of yourselves more highly than you ought.” Father and everyone present.

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‘young people can rescue human love’ By Sr Bernadete Mary Reis, fsp One of the eyewitnesses to the death of Jesus on the cross is “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” This phrase of John’s Gospel proclaimed during the Celebration of the Lord’s passion forms the basis for Fr Cantalamessa’s homily. The Preacher of the Pontifical household focused on the eyewitness John who wrote an account of what he witnessed. John not only saw what everyone else saw. “He also saw the meaning of what happened,” Fr Cantalamessa says. He saw the sacrificial Lamb of God, the fulfillment of the Passover, the “new temple of God from whose side (…) flowed the water of life.” John witnessed the release of the Spirit of God who as, in the beginning, “transformed the chaos in the cosmos.”

What does the cross reveal? Fr Cantalamessa explained that John understood that Jesus on the cross was revealing God “as he really is, in his most intimate and truest reality.” Later John would express this understanding as “God is love” (1 Jn 4:10), meaning that it is an oblative love, a love that consists in self-giving.” It is only on the cross that God manifests just how far his love will go: “He loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1). John, a model for the young John manifested a “real falling in love.” After his encounter with Jesus 3 “everything else suddenly took second place,” Fr Cantalamessa recoun- ts. Since the Church is preparing for the Synod on Young People, John’s witness can provide a model for the young to realize what Pope Francis invites us to in Evangelii gaudium: “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus N° 314 Christ” (n. 3).

A mission for the young Jesus makes self-giving love possible It is precisely up to the young “to rescue human love from the In conclusion, Fr Cantalamessa proclaimed tragic drift in which it has ended up,” Fr Cantalamessa pro- that through his grace Jesus makes it possi- poses. “God revealed himself on the cross as agape, the love ble for us to live self-giving love “to some that gives itself.” Turning to young people, Fr Cantalamessa extent, in our lives.” Today we can tap into explained how they can do this: “it is necessary to prepare this grace through the Church’s sacraments yourselves to make a total gift of self to another in marriage, by which we come in contact with the wa- or to God in consecrated life, beginning by making a gift of ter and blood that John saw flowing from your time, of your smile, (…) of your lives in the family, in the Christ’s open side, and by weeping “tears of parish, and in volunteer work,” he says. In this way, young repentance and consolation” when we look people will learn how to unite eros to agape, he says. on the pierced one.

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Br. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFMCap “He who saw it has borne witness” Good Friday, 2018, St. Peter’s Basilica

When they came to Jesus and saw sus’ last words: “It is fullfilled” (see pastoral concern, the presence on that he was already dead, they did Jn 19:30). Calvary of the disciple that Jesus not break his legs. But one of the But why, we can ask ourselves, this loved holds a special message. We soldiers pierced his side with a spe- unbounded concentration on the si- have every reason to believe that ar, and at once there came out blood gnificance of the cross of Christ? John joined Jesus when he was still and water. He who saw it has borne Why is the Crucified One omnipre- quite young. It was a real falling in witness—his testimony is true, and sent in our churches, on altars, and love. Everything else suddenly took 4 he knows that he tells the truth—that in every place frequented by Chri- second place. It was a “personal,” you also may believe. (Jn 19:33-35). stians? Someone has suggested, as existential encounter. Whereas at the No one could convince us that this a key to understanding the Christian center of Paul’s thinking is the work solemn attestation does not corre- mystery, that God reveals himself of Jesus—his paschal mystery of de- spond to historical truth, that the “sub contraria specie,” under a form ath and resurrection—at the center

N° 314 one who says he was there and saw contrary to what he is in reality: he of John’s thinking is the being, the it was really not there and did not see reveals his power in weakness, his person, of Jesus. This is the source of it. What is at stake, in this case, is the wisdom in foolishness, his riches in all the “I am” statements with divi- honesty of the author. On Calvary, at poverty. ne resonance that punctuate his Go- the foot of the cross, was the mother This key, however, does not apply spel: “I am the way, the truth, and the of Jesus and next to her, “the disciple to the cross. On the cross God re- life”; “I am the door”; simply “I am.” whom Jesus loved.” We have the te- veals himself “sub propria specie,” John was almost certainly one of stimony of an eye-witness! he reveals himself as he really is, in John the Baptist’s two disciples who, He “saw” not only what was hap- his most intimate and truest reali- when Jesus appeared on the scene, pening as everyone looked on, but ty. “God is love,” John writes (1 Jn followed him. When they asked, in the light of the Holy Spirit after 4:10), oblative love, a love that con- “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Passover he also saw the meaning of sists in self-giving, and only on the Jesus answered, “Come and see.” what happened: in this moment the cross does God’s infinite capacity for “They came and saw where he was true Lamb of God was sacrificed and self-gift manifest the length to whi- staying; and they stayed with him the meaning of the ancient Passover ch it will go. “Having loved his own that day, for it was about the tenth was fulfilled; Christ on the cross was who were in the world, he loved them hour” (see Jn 1:35-39). That hour de- the new temple of God from whose to the end” (Jn 13:1); “God so loved cided the course of John’s life, and he side, as the prophet Ezekiel predicted the world that he gave [meaning to never forgot it. (47:1ff), flowed the water of life; the death!] his only Son” (Jn 3:16); “The It is appropriate during this year spirit that he gave up at the moment Son of God . . . loved me and gave that we make an effort to discover of death began the new creation, just himself for me” (Gal 2:20). together with young people what as in the beginning “the Spirit of *** Christ expects from them, what they God,” hovering over the waters, had In this year in which the Church will can offer the Church and society. transformed the chaos in the cosmos. hold a Synod on Young People and The most important thing, however, John understood the meaning of Je- aims to have them as the center of is something else: it is to help young INFORMATION BULLETIN INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 MAY-JUNE 2018 people understand what Jesus has to ple that rules the world, self-cente- throughout the Bible he reveals him- offer them. John discovered it while redness. self as a loving and jealous spouse. staying with him: “fullness of joy” No, the world we must not love is His love is also “erotic” in the noble and “abundant life.” Let us do this in something else; it is the world as it sense of that word. This is what Be- such a way that, in all the speeches has become under the dominion of nedict XVI explained in his encycli- about young people and to young Satan and sin, the “spirit of the air,” cal Deus caritas est: people, the heartfelt invitation of the as St. Paul calls it (see Eph 2:1-2). It Eros and agape—ascending love Holy Father in Evangelii gaudium plays a decisive role in public opi- and descending love—can never be will resonate as an undercurrent: nion, and today it is literally a spi- completely separated... Biblical faith I invite all Christians, everywhere, at rit “of the air” because it is spreads does not set up a parallel universe, this very moment, to a renewed per- itself in infinite ways electronical- or one opposed to that primordial sonal encounter with Jesus Christ, ly through airwaves. One famous human phenomenon which is love, or at least an openness to letting him exegete writes that this spirit “is so but rather accepts the whole man; it encounter them; I ask all of you to intense and powerful that no indi- intervenes in his search for love in do this unfailingly each day. No one vidual can escape it. It serves as a order to purify it and to reveal new should think that this invitation is norm and is taken for granted. To dimensions of it. (nos. 7-8) not meant for him or her, since no act, think or speak against this spirit It is not a question of renouncing the one is excluded from the joy brought is regarded as non-sensical or even joys of love, attraction, and eros but by the Lord” (EG, n. 3). as wrong and criminal. It is ‘in’ this of knowing how to unite eros and To encounter Christ personally is spirit that men encounter the world agape in the desire for another, the still possible today because he is ri- and affairs, which means they ac- ability to give oneself to the other, sen; he is a living person, not a per- cept the world as this spirit presents recalling what St. Paul refers to as a sonage. Everything is possible after it to them.” saying of Jesus: “It is more blessed this personal encounter; without it This is what we call an adaptation to to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). 5 nothing will be stable or enduring. the spirit of the age, conformity. One This ability, however, does not come *** great believing poet from the last about in one day. It is necessary to Besides the example of his life, the century, T. S. Eliot, has written three prepare yourselves to make a total evangelist John has also left a writ- verses that say more than whole bo- gift of self to another creature in

ten message to young people. In his oks: “In a world of fugitives / The marriage, or to God in consecrated N° 314 First Letter we read these moving person taking the opposite direction life, beginning by making a gift of words from an elder to the young pe- / Will appear to run away.” Dear your time, of your smile, and of this ople in the churches he founded: young Christians, if you will allow period of your lives in the family, in I write to you, young men, because an old man like John to address you the parish, and in volunteer work. you are strong, and the word of God directly, I would exhort you: be tho- This is what so many of you are alre- abides in you, and you have overco- se who take the opposite direction! ady quietly doing. me the evil one. Do not love the wor- Have the courage to go against the On the cross Jesus not only gave us ld or the things in the world. stream! The opposite direction for us an example of selfgiving love carried (1 Jn 2:14-15) is not a place but a person; it is Jesus, to the extreme; he also merited the The world that we must not love and our friend and redeemer. grace for us to be able to bring it to to which we should not be confor- A task and a mission are particular- pass, to some extent, in our lives. The med, as we know, is not the world ly entrusted to you: to rescue human water and blood that flowed from his created and loved by God or the love from the tragic drift in which it side comes to us today in the sacra- people in the world whom we must had ended up: love that is no longer a ments of the Church, in God’s word, always go out to meet, especially the gift of self but only the possession— and even in just looking at the Cruci- poor and those at the lowest level often violent and tyrannical—of fied One in faith. One last thing John of society. “Blending in” with this another. God revealed himself on saw prophetically at the cross: men world of suffering and marginaliza- the cross as agape, the love that gi- and women of every time and place tion is, paradoxically, the best way ves itself. But agape is never disso- who were turning their gaze to “the of “separating” ourselves from the ciated from eros, from a love that one who was pieced” and who wept world because it means going in the welcomes, that pursues, that desires, tears of repentance and of consola- direction from which the world flees and that finds joy in being loved in tion (see Jn 19:37 and Zac 12:10). Let as much as it can. It means separa- return. God not only exercises “cha- us join them in the liturgical actions ting ourselves from the very princi- rity” in loving us, he also desires us; that will follow. INFORMATION BULLETIN INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 MAY-JUNE 2018

A Week for the New Provincial Ministers

rascati (Rome). The sixteenth tion of the Order and the circu- • Eduard Rey i Puiggròs (Province Fannual meeting of the new pro- mscriptions, establishing direct of Catalonia, Spain); vincial ministers and custodes with and fraternal contact between the • Effie Mallia (Province of Malta); the General Minister and his Coun- major superiors and the services • Gebrewold Gebretsadik (Provin- cil was held in Frascati from April of the General Curia; ce of Ethiopia); 8 to 15. • To foster exchange and mutual • Gerard O’Dempsey (Province of The friary of Frascati has been the awareness between the new su- Australia); 6 ideal setting for such meetings. periors in an open dialogue on • Giulio Pierani (Custody of Be- Located in a place of deep histo- the problems inherent in their nin); rical roots, Frascati is the ancient service. • José Benigno Varela Castro Tusculum of the Romans, where The gathering was received posi- (Custody of Nicaragua-Costa Cicero himself had his villa (some tively from all points of view and Rica-Panama); N° 314 say the friary garden even contains in its various parts by almost all of • José David Antonio Vásquez some of its ruins). Situated betwe- those present, who also thanked the Guzmán (Custody of the Domi- en the greenery and fresh air of General Minister and those who nican Republic); the Castelli Romani, the Capuchin worked with him to make the mee- • José Dick Ramírez Chalá (Custo- friary and church of Frascati keep ting the best it could be. dy of Ecuador); the illustrious memory of Cardi- On the second Sunday, April 15, • José Luis Cereijo (Province of nal Guglielmo Massaji, the great some of the ministers and custo- Rio de la Plata, Argentina); missionary of the Oromo people in des traveled in pilgrimage to Assisi • Nilmar Carlos Gatto (Province of Ethiopia, who spent his last nine ye- in order to visit the places dear to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil); ars there and is buried in the church. Franciscans and to pray at the tomb • Pedro Cesario Palma (Provin- The friary has depended directly on of our Seraphic Father. ce of Paraná – Santa Catarina, the General Curia since 1911, and in Photo galleries Brazil); recent years has been used mostly • Remo di Salvatore (Province of for formation activities. Other photo galleries New Jersey); The meeting has a threefold pur- • Frascati, friars’ choir • Rodrigo Israel Romero Cariz pose: (Province of Chile); • To foster the best possible ani- • Frascati, the Capuchin church • Salvador Franco Mavida (Custo- mation of our friars and fraterni- • Frascati, the Capuchin friary dy of Mozambique); ties, offering the major superiors • Silvio do Soccorro de Almei- an opportunity for a common The following ministers and cu- da Pereira (Province of Ma- reflection together with the Ge- stodes participated in the mee- ranhão-Pará-Amapá, Brazil); neral Council; ting: • Hermanus Mayong (Province of • To facilitate the relationships • Clézio Menezes dos Santos (Pro- Pontianak, Indonesia). between the central administra- vince of Central Brazil); Thanks to all the participants! INFORMATION BULLETIN INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 MAY-JUNE 2018

Letter of thanks giving of Pope Francis to the General Minister

Domus Sanctae Marthae, 27 March 2018

ear Father Mauro, DI still have before my eyes and in my heart the encounters St. Pio held out to me during the unfor- gettable day I experienced at Pietrelcina and San Gio- vanni Rotondo. To my thanks for this priceless gift I add also my gratitude for the good wishes that you— also in the name of the whole Franciscan family—offered to me, together with the gesture of charity that I immediately set apart for the many needy brothers and sisters who knock at my door. To meet the poor and the abandoned is a grace-event. Therefo- 7 re let us go to the poor, in order to turn our attention anew each time towards the discovery that each poor person is Jesus. As St. Ignatius of Loyola teaches, “poverty is both mother and bulwark.

Poverty nurtures, mothers, generates spiritual life, a life of holi- N° 314 ness, apostolic life. And it is a wall, it defends. How many ecclesial disasters began because of a lack of poverty.” In a world that engenders a throwaway culture, a culture of in- difference, I will not desist in wanting a Church that is poor and for the poor. This is not a liberal agenda, but something radical because it’s about a return to the roots. Going back to the origins is not a withdrawal into the past but the strength for a courageous beginning turned toward the future. The works of mercy that hap- pen by means of countless, simple, everyday gestures, awake in us the authentic revolution of divine tenderness. May St. Pio of Pietrelcina, who has left us his own example of an existence burning with the desire to impart the life of God to his brothers and sisters, obtain that grace for us as well, that we might be consumed by that same fire and guided by that same charity. Invoking the intercession of the Mother of God and of St. Francis of Assisi, I bless you and your confreres from the heart, together with the hope that Easter becomes a renewed proclamation that the world is not meant to come to nothing, but rather is destined for transfiguration in God, who is the worthy end, unrivaled and true, of the human person. Please remember me in your prayer. INFORMATION BULLETIN INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 Elections and appointments MAY-JUNE 2018 Custodia Generale di Sibolga, Indonesia – elections: CU: br. Yoseph Sinaga 1C: br. Elias Dion Tinambunan 2C: br. Krisantus Marbun 3C: br. Bonifasius Langgur 4C: br. Bonifasius Simanullang Data: 23.02.2018 Place: Mela, Sibolga, Indonesia President: br. Victorius Dwiardy, General Councilor

Provincia della Repubblica Ceca - elections: MP: br. Dismas Tomaštík VP: br. Serafín Beníček 2C: br. Radek Navrátil 3C: br. Cyril Komosný 4C: br. Romuald Jarolímek Date: 05.04.2018 Place: Praga, Repubblica Ceca President: br. Štefan Kožuh, Vicario Generale

Custodia Provinciale dello Zambia – elections: 8 CU: br. Augustine Mwape 1C: br. Lawrence Katongo 2C: br. Royd Kamangala 3C: br. Noel Brennan 4C: br. Paschal Ntambwe N° 314 Date: 07.04.2018. Place: Kasisi Retreat Centre, Lusaka, Zambia President: br. Adrian Curran, Provincial Minister, Irlanda

Custodia Provinciale di Prem Jyoti, Nord India – elections: CU: br. Alex Joseph 1C: br. Raittus Thomas 2C: br. Patrick T. R 3C: br. Crispin John 4C: br. Joseph Anish Date: 10.04.2018. Place: Prem Jyoti Headquarters, Delhi – India President: br. John Baptist Palliparambil Min. Prov. St. Francis, Kerala-India

Provincia di Tamil Nadu Sud, India – elections: MP: br. Sathian Innasi VP: br. Lawrence Soosainathan 2C: br. Edward Rayan 3C: br. Christopher Messiyas 4C: br. Maria Raj Date: 18.04.2018 Place: Anugraha Animation Centre, Dindigul, Tamilnadu – India President: br. Michael Baptist Fernandes, General Councilor INFORMATION BULLETIN INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 Elections and appointments MAY-JUNE 2018 Custodia di Nirmala Matha, Nord Est India – elections: CU: br. Mathew Kallidical 1C: br. Kuriakose Kattupara 2C: br. Biju Adakkapara 3C: br. Gwmshar Daimary 4C: br. Anil kollakunnel Date: 18.04.2018. Place: Regional House Guwahati, Assam President: br. Joseph Puthenpurackal (Min. Prov. St. Joseph, Kerala – India)

Provincia di Varsavia, Polonia – elections: MP: br. Łukasz Woźniak VP: br. Tomasz Wroński 2C: br. Michał Deja 3C: br. Artur Fredo 4C: br. Krzysztof Przybylski Date: 18.04.2018 Place: Zakroczym, Polonia President: br. Štefan Kožuh, Vicario Generale

Provincia di Slovacchia – elections: MP: br. Norbert Pšenčík 9 VP: br. Fidel Marko Pagáč 2C: br. Lukáš Mikovíny 3C: br. Bonaventúra Jozef Zmatek 4C: br. Ľubomír Kanka Date: 25.04.2018 N° 314 Place: Pezinok, Slovacchia President: br. Štefan Kožuh, Vicario Generale

Provincia di Tamil Nadu Nord, India – elections: MP: br. Mathew Arulmarianathan Joseph VP: br. Susairaj Santhappan 2C: br. Jesuraj Arockiasamy 3C: br. Lawrence Thavamanickam 4C: br. Paul Sagayanathan Date: 25.04.2018 Place: Amalashram, Trichy, Tamilnadu, India President: br. Michael Baptist Fernandes, General Councilor

East African Capuchin Conference – elections: President: br. Paul Silas Nzomo (CG Kenya) Vice Presidente: br. Gebrewold Gebretsadik (PR Etiopia) Consigliere: br. Felician Kavishe (CU Malawi) Date: 09.05.2018 Place: Pretoria, Sud Africa Presente: br. Norbert Solondrazana, General Councilor INFORMATION BULLETIN INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 MAY-JUNE 2018 Second annual Capuchin Family Day: July 3, 2018 ur Capuchin family is made up chance to gather together, visit with Onot only of the friars, present in one another, encourage one another more than one hundred countries, to keep our fraternal bonds alive, but also of our contemplative Ca- and to give value to each other’s puchin Poor Clare sisters, by many expression of our common charism. institutes of consecrated life aggre- Finally, this is a fitting moment to temptations we face in this area. gated to our Order, and by associa- recount for ourselves who we are, We are also invited to observe Ca- tions and groups that share in our to let each other know what we are puchin Family Day at the provincial spiritual heritage. doing, and to plan further collabo- and local level, together with nearby Each year on July 3, the anniversary ration. monasteries and with brothers and of the approval of the Capuchin re- The superiors general of the con- sisters of aggregated institutes. In form with the bull Religionis zelus gregations present in Rome will this way each of us has an opportu- of Pope Clement V, we have the op- participate in a celebration of Ca- nity to take a step forward in nouri- portunity to rekindle our sense of puchin Family Day at the house of shing our spirit of family, to hold out connection. the Capuchin Sisters of the Sacred a hand, to grow in love for our iden- This coming July 3, which will be a Heart, who will also be celebrating tity, and to renew our enthusiasm as Tuesday, is an opportunity to GIVE their general chapter at that time. we offer our service to the people of THANKS, TO SHARE, and TO Together with our own General Mi- God in the Capuchin life. 10 PLAN TOGETHER as a Capuchin nister, after some time for listening Br. Leonardo Ariel González family. It’s a time to give thanks in to one another, we will celebrate the Delegate of the General Minister prayer for the great gift of the Ca- Eucharist and share a festive lunch. for the Capuchin sisters of puchin inspiration that has lifted up This year we intend to give particu- the Second Order almost five centuries of movements lar attention to the topic of forma- and the institutes aggregated N° 314 and service in the Church. It’s also a tion, especially the challenges and to the Order INFORMATION BULLETIN INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 MAY-JUNE 2018

th 200 Anniversary of the Birth of St. Conrad of Parzham ltötting (Germany). This past tion as well as the edification of all AApril 21 was the feast of St. who came knocking … that sam- Conrad, but this year the day was pling of humanity that arrived, as extra special because it marked if to a secure harbor, in the heart the 200th anniversary of his birth of the Capuchin friar, the porter in 1818, in Parzham, Lower Bava- of Providence.” (Ibid.) It was also ria. Johann Birndorfer, as he was at Altötting that Br. Conrad con- known before entering the Order, cluded his earthly pilgrimage on lived his first thirty-one years in April 21, 1894. Pope Pius XI en- the village of Altötting, which was rolled him among the canonized a place deeply marked by Chri- on May 20, 1934. stian values. In 1849, he knocked Therefore it is easy to see why 11 on the door of the friary of the the Capuchins of Bavaria wanted Capuchins in Altötting, where he to celebrate this year’s feast with was received as a postulant and particular solemnity, inviting also thus began his journey of religious the friars of the Provinces of Nor-

life. In 1851 he began the novitiate thern Europe to honor the humble N° 314 in the friary of Laufen, where he porter by making the pilgrimage made his first profession on Octo- to Altötting. The General Minister ber 4, 1852. Right away, the young of the Capuchin Friars, Br. Mau- Br. Conrad was assigned to the ro Jöhri, was present and presided friary in Altötting for the delica- at the solemn Masses of Saturday te service of porter, in the shadow evening, April 21, and Sunday, of the celebrated Marian shrine of April 22, in the presence of a lar- Bavaria. ge number of pilgrims. On Satur- “In this way we see in outline how day morning the bishop of Passau, Br. Conrad realized one of the re- Most Rev. Stefan Oster, conse- solutions, the eleventh that he had crated the new altar of the church formulated before his religious dedicated to St. Conrad, which profession: “I wish to be always for the occasion was reopened to committed to having an interior the faithful after a full renovation. devotion to the most Blessed Vir- Finally, on Monday, April 23 the gin Mary and to make an effort in friars went in pilgrimage first of imitating her virtues.’” (Br. Carlo all to Parzham, where they visited Calloni) the house where St. Conrad was In fact, it was at Altötting that Br. born, and then had a chance to vi- Conrad spent the rest of his life, sit also the birthplace of Pope Be- looking after the friary door and nedict XVI. knowing how to make of it, “a fitting place for his own sanctifica- See the photo galleries INFORMATION BULLETIN Photo Gallery INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 MAY-JUNE 2018

Montserrat, Pilgrimage of the Mantle of St. Francis in Barcelona, Capuchins. Evangelization Capuchins in Barcelona. Capuchins, Barcelona 2018.05. 2018.05. of Barcelona. 2018.05. 2018.05. Capuchins in the streets of Barcelona arcelona (Spain). From May 4 to ning we had organized a Franciscan the archbishop, where the archbi- B6, 2018, about thirty friars from vigil specifically for them, in col- shop of Barcelona, Cardinal Juan different European countries met in laboration with the diocesan youth José Omella, was waiting for us. Barcelona to live a brief fraternal ministry service. This “going” was With him we remembered the gestu- mission together with the confreres not only an invitation, but also a way re of Bishop Guido, who had cove- of the Province of Catalonia, entitled of evangelizing. red Francis with his mantle after he “Sant Francesc visita els carrers de At 9 pm we met in the church of Sant had stripped himself in the Piazza Barcelona” (Saint Francis visits the Jaume where, in the presence of the of Assisi. After the warm welcome streets of Barcelona). We had with relic, we had a moment of praise and and blessing of the cardinal, we re- us the relic of a cloak that St. Francis worship along with a Eucharistic sumed our journey to the church of of Assisi had given to St. Elizabeth adoration. Subsequently, we went St. Anne, where everyone was able of Hungary, then passed to St. Louis out in procession with the relic in to venerate the mantle of St. Francis. 12 of France and, after various vicissi- the streets of the city center accom- The next day, Saturday, we set up tudes, came to the French Capuchin panied by “sister rain”, following the our Franciscan booth near the Capu- friars, who now preserve it their crucifix of S. Damiano, singing the chin church of Pompeia, because in friary in Paris. praises of the Lord. This simple yet the evening, in this church, we had On Friday morning, the first act of very significant procession aroused organized a Franciscan prayer for N° 314 the mission was the pilgrimage to the curiosity of many passers-by: peace. In the afternoon, always two the sanctuary of Montserrat to en- there were those who on seeing us by two, we went around the streets trust the mission to the Virgin Mary. made the sign of the cross, others of the neighborhood to meet peo- In the afternoon we went to Piazza who showed their appreciation with ple and evangelize. The Franciscan Catalunya, the main square of the different gestures, and especially vigil in the church of Pompeia was city, where we set up a stand. Some those who immortalized us taking a animated by Fr Hayden Williams friars were at the stand to welcome lot of photos. OFMCap, who with great passion those who were curious to know We then made two particularly si- invited those present to welcome the about this initiative and provide in- gnificant stations: The first, in the gift of reconciliation with God, to formation regarding the mission. square of the church entrusted to the become reconcilers around us. On Others, in pairs, went to the neigh- community of St. Egidio, where we Sunday morning, the Mass presi- boring streets (including the Ram- recalled the meeting of Francis with ded by our Vicar General, Br. Štefan blas), to meet the people, especially the leper and his love for the poor Kožuh, concluded the mission. young people, because in the eve- and the second, at the residence of Read the full article on the website

Evangelization in Barcelona Capuchins in the streets of Barcelona Procession with the Mantle of San Francesco

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«Mission – a new challenge» rom 30th april to 04th may 2018, tho- of our shared life and an appreciation of of ourselves and of the “unknown other”. Fse responsible for the mission-work of diverse gifts, and provide mutual inspira- Br. Hugo Mejia spoke about the impor- several CENOC provinces had their an- tion and encouragement. By the means of tance of missions in the past, in the pre- nual meeting at Rome. animating and by sharing ideas and ma- sent and in the future. We need to think The meeting itself provided exchanges terials, the participants provided mutual about what mission means today, starting of worldwide mission experiences and enrichment that sought to animate the from the history and looking to the futu- enabled reflexions of the common goals. wider body of friars in their several juri- re. We must make future plans and not be Discussions took place about developing sdictions. As a result of that interchange, afraid of changes. He talked also about 13 new cooperations, on-going projects, as it was said, that the friaries should open that lay people be encouraged to go as vo- well as on other important issues and new their mind and doors to get in touch with lunteers for one to three months in one of challenges took place. people that are living at the same place. The meeting’s sense was an exercise in Br. Othmar Noggler referred to histori-

ongoing formation, involving input in cal facts that mission was originally a N° 314 form of political task, combined with coloniza- • theological reflections on the mission of tion. Only later, the religiously motiva- the church and the specific contribution ted mission followed, whereby the name of the Capuchin charism; “mission” was renamed as a consequence • sharing information and experien- of its negative connotation into the term ces from the various circumscriptions “evangelization”. The Capuchins should through their reports; be supposed to be bridge builders, able to • reflection on the contemporary situation interprete sensitively the marks of time, overseas and in Europe, concerning “the building and living international fraterni- signs of the times”, and recognizing cur- ties that are open minded to the challen- rent challenges. ges that they are faced to. our eligible provinces in Asia, Africa or In this connection we note the changes Mr. Bart Paepen (Episcopal Vicar, An- Latin America. Already there was positi- that have taken place over the last several twerp), gave a presentation “what is the ve feedback from the brothers who were decades. Formerly the mission ad gentes mission of a christian in this changing grateful for this help and that are also wil- involved “gentes” overseas; now the “gen- world?” He spoke about imagination at ling to have more volunteers in the future. tes” are on our own shores, among us. work which means living and act as a Finally the general minister, Br. Mauro The meeting itself was important in foste- christian in an authentic and convincing Jöhri and the general councilor Br. Pio ring fraternity, cultivating an awareness way. We have to build the houses where Murat were invited to speak about the we live and start community building. tasks and challenges regarding mission Just like that you can be an example for work and its related issues. They under- the others and that pilgrimage for God lined the need to be connected and to bu- will become possible. We should invest in ild networks between the mission secre- the world as it is. In other words, working tariates, animating and encouraging the in schools of the Christian imagination. brothers in finding solutions regarding To share life together in Franciscan spi- common goals, financial and personal rituality and being authentically could be support in accordance with the order. one thing that opens the eyes and hearts See the photo galleries INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018

Logo of the 2018 General Chapter

escription of the logo: the design represents the Dhand of someone supporting the foot of another, ready to wash the foot. It is Christ, holding the foot of a brother. The design is inspired by Rnb VI, 3-4 (Earlier Rule) “Let no-one be called “prior”, but let everyone be simply called lesser brothers”. Let one wash the feet of the other”. That quotation, in turn, goes back to John 13:14, where Jesus tells his disciples that they need to learn the meaning of the gesture he had just performed. The theme of the General Chapter tells us that we must learn from Jesus: “Learn from me … and you will find…” (Mt 11, 29), to help the brothers all over the world to reflect on the words of the Ratio Formationis: “... The heart of the Gospel is the 14 form of life of Jesus, who chose not to spend his life for His own benefit, but by living for others. In Him we discover that life consists in the art of the

N° 314 encounter. Jesus, by opening Himself to God and becoming an open door to encountering others, teaches us the Christian paradox: that to possess life, we must surrender it “(Ratio Formationis 1, 4). The- refore, formation must lead the one being formed into the heart of the Gospel: in other words, he must learn from the Master what it means to wash one another’s feet. The design is contained in a brown circle, the colour of the habit of a Capuchin lesser brother. The circle represents the world in which the lesser brother has his place, and in which he must learn from the Master to wash the feet of the brothers, being subject to all. Cf SV 16-17.

Fr. Luiz Carlos Siqueira Min. Provincial of the Province of Rio de Janei- ro e Espírito Santo, Brazil. Winner of the Competition for the Logo of the LXXXV General Chapter OFMCAP – 2018

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See photo gallery to view all entries

N° 314 2 INFORMATION BULLETIN INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 MAY-JUNE 2018

OFMCap Mobile App

What does the application do? The app has two main aims. First: simple access to news items published on the website of the General Curia for mobile devices. Second: to make the library of the most important documents of the Order available on mobile devices. Once the app is installed on your tele- 16 phone, tablet, or iPad, and with internet It is also possible to access, you can review the latest informa- read documents without inter- tion published on www.ofmcap.org, have di- net access (offline). The documents availa- rect access to our YouTube channel with all ble will be the writings of St. Francis (Rule and the videos, see the latest photos published on N° 314 Testament), the Capuchin Constitutions, the doc- Google Plus, check the Curia Twitter @ofm- uments of the Plenary Councils of the Order, and capdotorg, review the most recent BICI, etc the letters of the general ministers. . INFORMATION BULLETIN INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018 MAY-JUNE 2018

Will the app be available in possible to modify the size and different languages? font of the characters, select The app will be available in day/night reading mode, and all seven of the languages in choose among the seven avail- 17 which the Capuchin General Curia operates: Ital- able languages. It is also possible to activate or ian, English, Polish, Spanish, French, German, deactivate notification of when new information and Portuguese. is published on the website www.ofmcap.org.

How do you download the app? Although the app is mostly meant for Capuchin N° 314 The app is free and will be available for three friars, we invite you to share it with your friends, systems: Android, iOS, and Windows. In the re- and other Franciscans in particular. In this way spective app store (Android - Play Store, iOS - we hope to build up communion at the interna- Apple Store, Windows - Store), enter the name tional level and promote the Franciscan spirit. of the app: OFMCap. Select the file and install We welcome your comments and suggestions on the app on the mobile device. the work of the new app, and these can be sent to the Communications Office of the General Curia What are the app’s basic settings? at [email protected]. Beyond the basic settings Enjoy! available in every app, it is INFORMATION BULLETIN MAY-JUNE 2018

franciscus 548 post 5,5 mill follower Sentire cum Ecclesia The Pope’s prayer intentions

May: That the lay faithful may fulfil their specific mission, by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today.

June: That social networks may 18 work towards that inclusiveness which respects others for their differences.

N° 314

@Pontifex Pope Francis Tweets 1,530 Followers 17.5 M

As we contemplate Christ’s empty God covers us with His mercy, He tomb, let us renew our belief that enfolds us in Christ, so that we can nothing is lost with Him! become instruments of His good- ness. Being poor of heart, reacting with meekness and humility, knowing Are you called to the consecrated how to mourn with others, hun- life? Be holy by living out your gering and thirsting for righte- commitment with joy. ousness, seeing and acting with mercy: that is holiness. Saints are distinguished by a spirit The Word of God is a light in the of prayer and a need for commu- darkness: it helps us face our diffi- nion with God. There is no holi- culties without fear. ness without prayer.

editore Curia Generale dei Frati Minori Cappuccini responsabile Luciano Pastorello OFMCap Curia Generale OFMCap Via Piemonte, 70; 00187 Roma, Italia collaboratori Tutti i segretari della Curia Generale impaginazione e grafica Paweł Teperski OFMCap edizioni italiano francese inglese polacco spagnolo tedesco portoghese Tel. +39.06.42011710 Fax +39.06.4828267 [email protected]