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VOLUME L • EDITION 240 January 2017 Fraternitas OFM INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER OFM INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER MESSAGE OF THE MINISTER GENERAL FOR THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

(October 5th, 2016: Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. REUTERS / Tony Gentile.) My dear brothers of the Order of Friars Minor, news of just such love, it is a most fitting theme for this brothers, sisters and friends of the Franciscan Family, year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. […] May the Lord give you all His peace! As Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby recently stated in their Common Declaration marking The love of Christ urges us on; it compels us to share the fiftieth anniversary of official dialogue between with all members of the human family what we have our two ecclesial communions, “Jesus gave his life in seen and heard, namely that in Jesus Christ, God’s Word love, and rising from the dead overcame even death of love became flesh so that we may be reconciled itself. Christians who have come to this faith, have to one another as His children and to Him as our encountered Jesus and the victory of his love in their Heavenly Father (cf. 1 John 1:3). This is our vocation – own lives, and are impelled to share the joy of this Good as Franciscans, yes. This is, after all, the Good News we News with others.” profess as our Rule and Life. More fundamentally, this is The complete text may be found on: our vocation as Christians, and in world crying out for http://www.ofm.org/ofm/?p=12101

CHILDREN PRAYING FOR PEACE: A LETTER FROM THE MINISTER GENERAL AND THE CUSTOS OF THE HOLY LAND at their Children’s Mass (or at the mass attended by most children). Opportunities for this prayer intention could also include Youth Ministry programs, or working with local schools — which would bring an ecumenical and interreligious dimension. If the prayer service is done outside of Mass, it can always be adapted, while retaining the symbolism Dear Brothers and Sisters, of the lighting of the candles, along with the simple May the Lord give you peace! prayer and songs for peace. Please remember to always For a long time now, we Friars Minor have been explain to the children that this prayer is being done in very concerned about the situation being experienced communion with children worldwide who are praying by our brothers in Syria, by Christians and the entire for world peace, and specifically for peace in Aleppo population. Recently, we called on the international and Syria. community to intensify its efforts to stop the war and We ask all those who take part to visit our Facebook the suffering of the civilian population, and to make page: every effort to achieve peace. Children-in-prayer-for-peace. We are asking all Franciscan fraternities, on the first God bless all our efforts for peace, and may the Lord Sunday of every month, to have special prayers for peace listen to the cries and the prayers of His little ones. OTHER NEWS Morocco – Friars attend COP22 Poland – Guardians’ Meeting On November 28th, an academic ceremony to honor Emeritus Professor Br. Francisco Víctor Sánchez Gil took place at the Theological Institute of Murcia. During his long career, Br. Victor was Director of three Franciscan journals: Carthaginensia, Archivo Ibero-americano, and Archivum Franciscanum Historicum. From November 14th-17th a COP22 (Conference of the group of over ninety Guardians Friars from the Antonianum hold Parties), organized by UNFCCC gathered at the shrine of Kalwaria a retreat at the General Curia (United Nations Framework Zebrzydowska, Poland, for the Convention on Climate Change), Annual Week of Workshops. took place in Marrakesh, Morocco The gathering, which addressed on 8-18 November 2016. contemporary issues related to the The friars attended the Sacrament of Reconciliation, was meetings in their habits in led by the well-known Capuchin remembrance of the Franciscan School for Confessors. The event Martyrs in Marrakech. This led to was a fitting conclusion to the many occasions of dialogue with Jubilee Year of Mercy. To assist community life, the the locals and participants of the fraternity at the Antonianum is Conference. On 8 November, an - Special Commission for divided into smaller groups who interfaith prayer service for climate Dialogue with Islam arrange activities for the friars justice was held in the Franciscan involved. One of these groups is the ‘La Verna fraternity’, composed of Church in Marrakech. 12 friars in studies, from 7 different countries. On December 3rd, 2016, Tullamore, Ireland – Br. Federico Rodriguez Schmädke Plowing Championships led them in a retreat which focused on the theological concept of poverty, as outlined in Chapter 6 of the Approved Rule. After Mass FRATERNITAS WWW.OFM.ORG - FRATERNITAS The Order’s Special Commission in the Curia oratory, they had lunch for Dialogue with Islam gathered with the friars of the General Curia. at the General Curia from 21-25 November, 2016. The Commission South Sudan – the Friars ask for met to decide on its six-year prayers for peace plan of activities and projects, The Irish National Ploughing chief among which will be the Championships has been held preparation of diverse, multilingual annually since 1931. It is Europe’s materials to assist the Order and its largest Outdoor Exhibition and ecumenical and interfaith friends Agricultural Trade Show — with in commemorating the eighth about 300,000 attendees and over centenary of the meeting between 1,500 exhibitors. St. Francis and Sultan Malik al-Kamil Our brothers in South Sudan ask For several years, the Irish friars in 1219. for special prayers for peace. They write: “the war is continuous and have had a very popular stand there, Murcia – Academic Honors there is never a day in which we do where they give a warm welcome not hear the noise of weapons in the to people who want to chat, write night, and even during the day…..” prayer requests or talk about their Brothers of our beloved Order, let faith. The in Ireland us join our voices to those of our has been in decline in the last 25 brothers and sisters living in this years, but this event shows that extremely complex and desperate situation, where many are giving there is still a hunger for the faith, their lives in order to make Christ and a great fondness for the friars! present.

2 FRATERNITAS - WWW.OFM.ORG 3 A course on the the on course A the to “Letter will Hebrews” the at held be Theological Verona Institute from January 30th 1st, February to Cesare 2017. Fr. The complete text may be text may complete The Monastero S. Chiara – Camerino S. Chiara Monastero IBAN: IT77 H030 6968 83000 000 Name of Bank:Banca Intesa, 17194606, Or else: CCP General SecretaryThe for Missions and Evangelization, Br. Br. Missions and Evangelization, our attention draws Gallardo, Luis of the Statutes the availability to on Missions Evangelization and for put them at “We website: the OFM serve to disposal guidelines as your carry you the work for out as the stimulating for friarsresponsible Missionsthe Evangelization and activities Entities”. in your on http://www.ofm.org/ found ofm/?p=12062 donation, large or small, these are these are or small, large donation, the bank details: 000 1032 branch. Camerino S. Chiara-Camerino. Monastero Missions and for Special Statutes Evangelization Administrator of the Patriarchate of , of of the Patriarchate Administrator “Ittalk is not easy to — wrote Pizzaballa, Pierbattista do not know those who to is even him; it about Francis assume who those to him about talk to difficult more Riccardo know they that judgement, him. In my do both.” to has managed Tordoni Course – Scripture “San Bernardino” Marcheselli, lecturer in Sacred Scripture at the Scripture at lecturer in Sacred Marcheselli, of Southern Italy will Faculty Theological Pontifical the course. present further please contact information, For Raniero: +39 349 3991195 Lorenzo Br. or: [email protected] The earthquakesThe October of and Apart sending love from send a wishes to If anyone Nonetheless, we can help them we Nonetheless, IBAN Chiara” Santa “Monastero or else: “Monastero 11235629, CCP 26th and 30th, 2016, meant that that 26th and 30th, 2016, meant were in Camerino Clares the Poor because of the collapse “exiled”, took They of their monastery. in the San Severino refuge itself badly damaged. monastery, Winter for they also ask prayers, the sisters. clothing suitable for all; instead, let them live as pilgrims as pilgrims let them live all; instead, who in this world and strangers in povertyserve and the Lord humility” to: with a bank transfer IT74 C076 0113 4000 0001 1235 629 - 20 Gorgonero, Via Chiara”, Santa 62027 SAN SEVERINO MARCHE Monastery Clare Poor Camerino Collapses The Feast Day of the PUA PUA of the Day Feast The University, (Pontifical and of the Antonianum) (the Chancellor Grand Minister General) OFM Januarybe held on will 16th, 2017. has A full program mark to up drawn been Cavalli Prof. the event. and day will chair the various will introduce

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In speaking of this performance, the Apostolic Tordoni. performance of “Francis, dust of God”, by Riccardo Riccardo by dust of God”, “Francis, performance of The celebrations will conclude with an afternoon with will conclude celebrations The the participants. the PUA Rector, Prof. Mary who will welcome Melone, Prof. Rector, the PUA PUA and of the Grand Chancellor of the Grand and PUA Jackelén; and of Uppsala, Antje Archbishop Lutheran Theatrical Performance for the Feast Day of the Day the Feast for Performance Theatrical the of the PUA; Burigana and Sgroi speakers — Profs. house nor a place nor anything at at nor anything house nor a place St. Clare wants for her sisters: her sisters: for wants Clare St. neither a themselves, to anything to the heartto that of the Gospel Life earthquakeget to them enable will the difficult circumstances of the the difficult circumstances gatherings.) that with the intention prayers, sacristy (for prayer and community sacristy prayer (for eat), the choir (for Mass)the and (for choir the eat), workshops (where they work and they work (where workshops house (where they sleep), the they sleep), house (where such as the infirmary, the retreat the retreat such as the infirmary, have other spaces that they can use, they can use, that other spaces have and sleeping areas. Thank God they Thank areas. sleeping and as their church, refectory, kitchen refectory, as their church, monastery are inaccessible, such monastery inaccessible, are and friendship. Key areas of their Key areas and friendship. very grateful for so much support for very grateful write that they are all well and all well they are that write damage Severino Marche – Earthquake Marche Severino The Poor Clare Monastery Clare San of Poor The UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING FRANCISCAN BOOKMARKS ERNESTO DEZZA ÉLOI LECLERC, La dottrina della creazione La fraternità come testamento, in Giovanni Duns Scoto, Edizioni Biblioteca Francescana, Edizioni Antonianum, Milan 2016, 128 pages. Roma 2016, The late Éloi Leclerc’s most 476 pages. recent reflections have been collected and presented in What emerges in this book is John interview form. Like all his writings, Duns Scotus’ exposition of how God, they are profound and go to the who is sovereign, has created in total heart of things. freedom. But the most innovative part of this book is the Italian translation of the quaestiones, in which the Subtle NEW PROVINCIAL MINISTERS: Doctor investigates the nature of the created world and Br. Phillip Miscamble its essential link with the First Principle by whom it has Province of the Holy Spirit, Australia, been created. New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia Br. Adrianus Sunarko Province of St. the Archangel, DIARY OF THE MINISTER GENERAL Indonesia January 2017 Br. Daniel Alejandro Fleitas Zeni, 1-5: USA Province of St. Francis Solano, Argentina Days of personal retreat and reflection VISITATORI GENERALI 6: ROME Br Emmanuel Musara, Ara Cœli, Solemnity of the Epiphany a member of the Custody of the Good Shepherd 9-27: ROME, Tempo Forte Zimbabwe, 16: PUA, University Feast Day for the Province of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, 17-27: Meeting with new Provincial Ministers South Africa. Br Romualdo Kośla, and Custodes Member of the Province of the Immaculate 30-31: AFRICA Conception of the B.V.M., Poland Fraternal visits for the Pontificia Università Antonianum. FRATERNITAS WWW.OFM.ORG - FRATERNITAS Blessed Giles of Foundation: Evangelization: A Missionary Fraternity for Europe a Brazilian experience Currently the OFM Fraternity in Br. Augusto Luiz Gabriel, OFM, Palestrina (Rome, Italy) is composed has told us about a video which of 5 brothers, all Italians, of whom 4 features testimonies from various are incardinated to the Foundation Simply Professed friars from (Jacopo Pozzerle, Paul Iorio, Arturo the Province of the Immaculate Milici, Maurizio Pagliari) and 1 has an Conception in Brazil. The friars annual obedience from his Provincial worked hard on this project for (Giuseppe Frasca of the Roman five months and they now make it Province). This summer, after a long available. process of discernment, another They speak in the video about house of the Fraternity was founded their lives and the different pastoral in Croatia (Istria), and 3 Croatian friars (Drago Vujevic, activities in the Curitiba area in which they are involved. Marinko Klaic, Josip Vlasic) have been appointed there. Their friary activities are shown in the video, as well as “Living among people in distress, rather than serving or hospital and care home visits, parish ministry, work with working in charitable organizations is one of the current street people etc. features of the Palestrina community. Encouraged by They say: “Pastoral work strengthens our vocations the Pope’s invitation to welcome the poor, we’ve made and brings us to the core of our lives as Christians and our guest quarters available to accommodate refugees, Religious.” and now we welcome people who are in financial Link: difficulty. We eat meals with them daily, which gives us http://www.franciscanosrondinha.com.br/pastorais/ an opportunity for dialogue and mutual understanding.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gntgNmhahEM

Fraternitas Notiziario Internazionale OFM editori: fr. Alvin Te, OFM & fr. Manolo Figueroa, OFM - traduttore: fr. Caoimhín Ó Laoide, OFM 4 eMail: [email protected] - tel: +39 0668491 339 - http://www.ofm.org/fraternitas - www.fb.com/ofm.org - @ofmdotorg