INDEX N° 272 He bbecameec am e popoor,or , so tthatha t by hhisis APRIL 2014 povertypo ve rty you mightmi gh t bebecomeco me rrichic h - 01 MessageMe ss agagee of our HHolyol y FaFatherther FFrancisra nc is for He became poor, so that by his poverty Message LentLe nt 2014201014 of our Holy Father Francis ThThee General MiMinisterni st er aandnd other for Lent 2014 you might become rich CaCapuchinspu chins in thet he CCongregationongr eg ation foforr ReligiousRe ligious […] In imitation of our Master, we drugs, gambling or pornography! How Christians are called to confront the pov- many people no longer see meaning 02 SpiritualSp iritual Exercises:Exer ci se s: retreturnur n to erty of our brothers and sisters, to touch in life or prospects for the future, how interiorityin teriority it, to make it our own and to take prac- many have lost hope! And how many SpiritualSp iritual exercisesexerci se s of tthehe General tical steps to alleviate it. Destitution is are plunged into this destitution by un- Curia in AssisiAssis i not the same as poverty: destitution just social conditions, by unemploy- is poverty without faith, without sup- ment, which takes away their dignity Meeting of thet he InternaInternationalti on al port, without hope. There are three as breadwinners, and by lack of equal 03 CommissionCommissi on ofo f Justice, PPeace,eace, and types of destitution: material, moral and access to education and health care. In Integrity of CCreationreation spiritual. Material such cases, moral destitution Ethiopia: a newne w school iiss destitution is what is can be considered impending inaugurateinauguratedd normally called pov- suicide. This type of destitu- erty, and affects those tion, which also causes fi nan- InternationalInternat io na l symposiumsymposiu m on living in conditions cial ruin, is invariably linked ecclesiasticalecclesiast ic al goods opposed to human to the spiritual destitution 2015 – yyearea r of consecrconsecratedat ed life: dignity: those who which we experience when principalprinci pa l eventsev ents lack basic rights and we turn away from God and needs such as food, reject his love. If we think we India: TheT he General MinisterM in is ter water, hygiene, work don’t need God who reaches 04 blesses anandd inaugurates an electric and the opportunity out to us through Christ, be- generatorgene ra to r to develop and grow cause we believe we can make culturally. In response FranciscansFr an ci scans in India: No to sosocialci al to this destitution, do on our own, we are head- exclusion, no to the caste system the Church offers ed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us. A Franciscan Missionary at sixty: her help, her diako- Taekwondo for children with nia, in meeting these The Gospel is the real anti- tumors needs and binding dote to spiritual destitution: these wounds which wherever we go, we are called disfi gure the face of humanity. In the as Christians to proclaim the liberating Dear brothers and sisters, may this Lent- poor and outcast we see Christ’s face; news that forgiveness for sins commit- by loving and helping the poor, we love en season fi nd the whole Church ready ted is possible, that God is greater than to bear witness to all those who live in and serve Christ. Our efforts are also our sinfulness, that he freely loves us at directed to ending violations of human material, moral and spiritual destitution all times and that we were made for com- the Gospel message of the merciful love dignity, discrimination and abuse in the munion and eternal life. The Lord asks world, for these are so often the cause of God our Father, who is ready to em- us to be joyous heralds of this message brace everyone in Christ. We can do this of destitution. When power, luxury and of mercy and hope! It is thrilling to ex- money become idols, they take priority to the extent that we imitate Christ who perience the joy of spreading this good became poor and enriched us by his pov- over the need for a fair distribution of news, sharing the treasure entrusted to wealth. Our consciences thus need to be erty. Lent is a fi tting time for self-denial; us, consoling broken hearts and offering we would do well to ask ourselves what converted to justice, equality, simplicity hope to our brothers and sisters experi- and sharing. we can give up in order to help and enrich encing darkness. It means following and others by our own poverty. Let us not No less a concern is moral destitution, imitating Jesus, who sought out the poor forget that real poverty hurts: no self- which consists in slavery to vice and sin. and sinners as a shepherd lovingly seeks denial is real without this dimension How much pain is caused in families his lost sheep. In union with Jesus, we of penance . I distrust a charity that costs because one of their members – often can courageously open up new paths of nothing and does not hurt. a young person - is in thrall to alcohol, evangelization and human promotion. May the Holy Spirit, through whom we are “as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing ev- erything” (2 Cor 6:10), sustain us in our The General Minister and other Capuchins resolutions and increase our concern and responsibility for human destitution, so in the Congregation for Religious that we can become merciful and act with mercy. In expressing this hope, I likewise ATICAN CITY – On March 29, Pope Francis named our General Minister, Br. pray that each individual member of the VMauro Jöhri, to the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and So- faithful and every Church community will cieties of Apostolic Life, together with our brother bishops: Francisco Chimoio, Arch- undertake a fruitful Lenten journey. I ask bishop of Maputo (Mozambique) and John Corriveau, Bishop of Nelson (Canada). all of you to pray for me. May the Lord The Pope also reappointed Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap., Archbishop of bless you and Our Lady keep you safe. Boston (USA) to the same dicastery. HIGHLIGHTS SPIRITUAL EXERCISES: RETURN TO INTERIORITY

piritual exercises, independent of rion of success or lack thereof in life. Sthe theme chosen for the occasion However, where is authenticity for a by the preacher, are above all a privi- Christian? When is it that a person is leged occasion to ‘re-enter oneself,’ to truly himself? Only when he has God check up on and renew one’s own rela- as his measure. “There is so much talk tionship with God. St. Augustine made – writes the philosopher Kierkegaard – this famous appeal: “Re-enter into your of wasted lives. However, wasted only heart: there examine him whom you is the life of a man who never realized perceived as God, because the image that a God exists and that he, his very of God is there, Christ dwells in man’s self, stands before this God. St. Francis interior.” said the same thing in simpler words: “What a man is before God, that he is To return to the heart means, there- and nothing more.” fore, to return to what is most per- Br. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFMCap sonal and interior to us. Unfortunately, Persons consecrated to the service Preacher to the Papal Household Spiritual Exercises return to interiority

andd every titime we so wish ish we can, as interiority is a value in crisis. Some of God are the ones who above all hermits, re-enter in this hermitage. causes of this crisis are old and inher- are in need of a return to interiority. “Brother body is the hermitage and the ent to our nature itself. Our “compo- In an address given to Superiors of a soul is the hermit that dwells within sition,” that is, our being constituted contemplative religious Order, Paul VI to pray to God and to meditate.” It is of fl esh and spirit, inclines us toward said: like having a desert “in the house,” in 02 the external, the visible, the multiplic- which one can withdraw in thought at ity. Like the universe, after the initial “Today we are in a world which seems every moment, even while walking on explosion (the famous Big Bang), we to be gripped by a fever that infi ltrates the street. are also in a phase of expansion and itself even in the sanctuary and in solitude. Noise and din have invaded We conclude this fi rst part of our of moving away from the center. We meditation listening, as addressed to are perennially “going out” through almost everything. Persons are no longer able to be recollected. They us, the exhortation that Saint Anselm those fi ve doors or windows which are of Aosta addresses to the reader in one our senses. are prey of a thousand distractions, they habitually dissipate their energies of his famous works: How many of us must make our own behind the different forms of modern “Come now, miserable mortal, fl ee for the bitter observation that Augustine culture. Newspapers, magazines, books a brief time from your occupations, made in regard to his life before his invade the intimacy of our homes and leave for a while your tumultuous conversion: “Late have I loved Thee, of our hearts. It is more diffi cult to thoughts. Move away at this moment beauty so ancient and so new, late have fi nd the opportunity for the recollec- from your grave anxieties and put aside I loved Thee! Lo, you were within, but tion in which the soul is able to be fully your exhausting activities. Attend to I outside, seeking there for you and occupied in God.” God and repose in him. Enter into the upon the shapely things you have made depth of your soul, exclude everything, I rushed headlong – I, misshapen. You It is an admonition close to our Capu- chin Order. St. Francis of Assisi was except God and what helps you seek were with me, but I was not with you. him and, having closed the door, say to They held me back far from you those concerned that in all the friars did they might not ever lose “the spirit of holy God: I seek your face. Your face I seek, things which would have no being were Lord.” they not in you.” prayer and devotion.” Saint Francis suggested another device closer at Inwardness is the way to an authentic hand. Sending his friars on the roads life. There is so much talk today of of the world, he said: We always have authenticity and it is made the crite- a hermitage with us wherever we go

Spiritual exercises of the General Curia in Assisi SSISI, Italy – The fraternityf te it of the GeneralG al CuriaC ia trav-t geographicallyphical apart from the daily curial environment in Aeled to the city of St. Francis and St. Clare from March order to fi nd “ the spirit of the Lord and its holy operation ” in this 24 to 28 for Lenten spiritual exercises. Spent at the Domus special time of Lent by means of a deeper intimacy with the Laetitiae house and led by Br. Luigi Boccardi of the Prov- Lord helped by silence, by refl ection, and a more intensive ince of Lombardy, the exercises presented a propitious oc- prayer. casion to be brothers in Christ and Francis on retreat, also GENERAL CURIA - CAPUCHIN PRESENCE BIG NEWS IN BRIEF

International symposium Meeting of the International Commission on ecclesiastical goods ROME, Italy – With the participation of of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation more than 500 bursars and general bursars of institutes of consecrated life from all parts of OME, Italy – The recently the social and JPIC projects of the world, the Congregation for the Institutes Rformed General Commission the Order. of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Life (CICLSAL) promoted the fi rst initiative Creation met from March 10-12 The meeting also saw the partici- pation of the General Minister, Br. of the year dedicated to “Consecrated Life.” at the General Curia (Internation- We speak of the International Symposium on al College). At the meeting coor- Mauro Jöhri, Br. Jaime Rey (Sec- the “Management of ecclesiastical goods at the dinated by the JPIC secretary, Br. retariat of Formation), Br. Aklilu service of the mission of the Church,” held in Benedict Ayodi (CU Kenya) were Petros (Promoter of Solidarity) the Antonianum Auditorium in Rome from present: Br. Jean-Bertin Nadonye and Br. Joe Rozansky, OFM. The March 8-9, 2014, subdivided into four sessions (GC Congo), General Councilor, commission also looked forward and a conclusion. “A theoretical poverty doesn’t Br. John Celichowski (PR Cal- to the next Plenary Council of the serve, but a poverty that learns by touching the Order on the grace of working in fl esh of the poor Christ, in the humble, in the vary), Br. James Donegan (PR poor, in the sick, in the child.” Thus writes Pope NY-NE, Guatemala), Br Darwin such a way as to offer a substantial contribution. Francis in the message to the Symposium. “It Orozco (CU Ecuador), Br. John is necessary to watch attentively that the goods Sulley (PR Tanzania), Br. Jacob The meeting concluded with a of Institutes are administered with caution and Kani (PR Krist Jyoti, India), Br. Eucharistic celebration, at which transparency” : this is the recommendation of Henryk Cisowski (PR Krakow). the General Minister presided, for Pope Francis, who asks that resources be “pro- The fi rst goal of the meeting was the intentions of the JPIC initia- tected and preserved, joining the priority of the to orient the commission towards charismatic-spiritual dimension to the dimen- tives in the world. sion of economics and effi ciency,” according to creating a stra- a tradition—affi rms Pope Francis—that “does tegic plan for its not tolerate waste and is attentive the good use activity in the of resources.” The mandate of Pope Francis is next two years most clear: “Be today, for the Church and the regarding the world, the outposts of attention to all the poor structure and and all miseries—material, moral, and spiritual, activity around thus overcoming every selfi shness in the logic of the objectives: the Gospel.” Inform, Inte- Today Pope Francis denounces “an economy of grate, and In- exclusion and inequity.” Observing the work of 03 spire, making a the Symposium, Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, database of all prefect of CICLSAL, in his talk explained how it was “necessary to take stock of a situation that presented light and shadow.” He emphasized how religious are “almost induced or forced to enter into the mechanisms of the laws of the Ethiopia: a new school is inaugurated modern economy,” but then insisted that “they must do so with simplicity and the prudence ap- OMBE, Ethiopia – Illiteracy parish, but a small chapel with mud propriate to a disciple of the Lord.” Bin Ethiopia is rampant; it is walls and a tin roof that belongs of estimated that 82% of the popula- the parish of Embecho entrusted 2015 – year of consecrated life: tion over 15 years of age is illiter- to the Capuchins of Ethiopia. principal events ate (UNESCO). The town and area The most-felt problem is the lack ROME, Italy – the letter “ Rallegratevi ” [Re- of Bombe is found in the south of of a school. By rule a bus departs joice] which the Congregation for the Institutes the country and is not much differ- when it is full and therefore atten- of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic ent from other rural settlements: dance in school is diffi cult for those Life has addressed to all consecrated persons in it is far from the main roads; one who remain outside. In Ethiopia a preparation for the Year of Consecrated Life, arrives after 30km of gravel road. was presented on Wednesday, February 26, nursery school has a different role. 2014, at the Urbania University in Rome. The The houses are made of mud. The Children, in fact, are socialized in presentation was moderated by Vittoria Terenzi population works, the local admin- the villages, living outdoors in the and the following spoke, in this order: Cardinal istration is forward-looking, coffee fi elds and rural roads, developing João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation; and ginger are grown, and you can Sr. Nicla Spezzati and Fr. Sebastiano Paciolla, skills and a basic knowledge in the undersecretaries of the Congregation; Fr. Bruno see the small beginnings of artisans family. According to government and cooperatives. There is not a Secondin, theologian; Most Rev. José Rodrí- programs, in the beginning guez Carballo, secretary of the Congregation. of elementary school they Cardinal João Braz de Aviz said, “The sense begin to learn three lan- of this title is marvelous, because our life must be an expression of great joy; it is better that a guages and two alphabets: sad consecrated person not even exist. Our face Amharic with a complicat- must change, we must fi nd again this joy, not ed alphabet of 270 graphic just outside, but also within. In the letter we signs, and the local lan- have taken passages of Scripture but above all guage (in this case Wolayta) the words of the Holy Father.” with the Latin alphabet and The circular letter “Rallegratevi” consists of two pronounced like Italian, parts, enriched by two biblical icons: Rejoice , exult, be ardent with joy and Comfort , comfort Spanish, or English. my people. The fi nal part, with some ques- The brothers of the tions from Pope Francis, will serve to stimulate Marches, at the urging of refl ection. Hail, Mother of joy is the fi nal prayer. CAPUCHIN PRESENCE FRANCISCAN FAMILY Ethiopia: a new school is inaugurated The text, published in Italian, will be available soon in Spanish, English, and French. Other Br. Aklilu Petros, offered to begin ment of many families that arrived circular letters will follow, with the aim of a nursery school that also looked late. The offi cial inauguration was on accompanying and following the preparation forward to expanding in the future. February 19, 2014, with the presence for and refl ection on the Year of Consecrated Local authorities donated a plot of of civil and religious authorities, Br. Life. land adjacent to the chapel. The con- Mark Schenk as representative of The dicastery has developed a calendar of struction, entrusted to the volunteer the General Minister, parents and events for 2015: Antonio Striuli, was completed in a children, and a large group of bene- November 30, 2014, fi rst Sunday of Advent, few months. The school has three factors from the Marches led by Br. the offi cial opening of the Year dedicated to large and well-ventilated classrooms Francesco Pettinelli and Br. Alessan- Consecrated Life. along with many multi-purpose dro Tesei. Let us thank the Lord for From January 22-24, 2015, during the Week rooms and a kitchen. In October a all who contribute to this project of of Prayer for Christian Unity, an Ecumenical Gathering with consecrated persons of other crowd of parents came to sign up solidarity and human and spiritual Churches. their children. The school set up for development. From April 8-11, a Gathering for Formators, 150 signed up 213, to the disappoint- to examine the criteria that come from a spirituality of communion. From September 23-26, a Gathering for India: The General Minister blesses and inaugurates young people and young consecrated persons. From November 18-21, a Gathering for NDHRA, India – In an electric generator Monastic Life. The presidents of the Federa- Aalmostal mo st aallll ooff In Indiadi a th thee tions of all the Orders will be invited. On the citizens in the villages and same dates, a Gathering for the Societies of smallest cities must face a Apostolic Life and for the Ordo Virginum. power outage every day. It From January 28 to February 1, 2016, a Theo- can last from 5 to 8 hours. logical Symposium on Consecrated Life. And in summer one can February 2, 2016, the offi cial closing. imagine how hard it is to live without electricity when There will also be a worldwide chain of prayer the functioning of such es- with the monasteries of the whole world to sential things is compro- support the initiatives. Finally, an online mised: lamps, fans, air con- course is imagined for contemplatives to par- ditioning, and refrigeration. 04 ticipate and be accompanied in formation. Thus, practically all homes must have generators or A Franciscan Missionary at sixty: other means of alternative Taekwondo for children with tumors electricity. Visiting Andhra, blessing on this past March 16, after the SINGAPORE – Sr. Linda Sim, Franciscan Mis- where summer has just begun and the morning Mass. Now the brothers can sionary of the Divine Motherhood, in her nearly heat is already rising, our General Min- face the climate and structural diffi cul- 60 years of life, has just won the silver medal in ister, Br. Mauro, inaugurated a genera- ties with more tranquility. a national sporting event in Korea, the “ 2013 tor in the provincial curia, giving it the Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Champi- onships. ” Already having been a missionary in Zim- babwe and England and showing enviable physical Franciscans in India: No to social exclusion, no to the caste system form, she wanted a military career when she was HOPAL, India – Franciscans,Franciscans consecrated attention on various arious aspects connected with ith the young but then chose “the best army.” Sr. Linda, director of a hospital and center for recovery has Bpersons as well as lay members, have reaffi r- itinerary of formation, in relation to present day also become a missionary of “Poomsae” Taekwon- med their prophetic role in India, their desire to necessities and with direct reference to the new do with application in therapy of rehabilitation for be “a poor fraternity among the poor and for the pastoral and missionary approach proposed children sick with cancer. After a good seven years poor”, committed to eliminating social exclusion by Pope Francis in the exhortation Evangelii of effort she achieved the black belt in the martial and the “caste system”, and working to promote Gaudium. Franciscans feel called to “commu- art learned in the Parish of St. Vincent de Paul in respect for the dignity of the poorest and most nicate, propose and live a culture in contrast Singapore and right away put such a resource at the marginalised persons: Fides was told this by Fr with violence, consumerism, individualism and service of the sick and especially children affected Nithiya Sagayam OFMCap, coordinator of As- materialism, widespread in Indian society”. The by tumors. She has used the program since 2006 sociation of the Franciscan Families of India antidote to all this, Fides was told by Fr Nithiya with the support of Federation of Taekwondo (AFFI) and director of the Udhayam Franciscan Sagayam, consists in a return to the “radical and observes, with the doctors of the hospital she Centre for Peace in Tamil Nadu. gospel options ”, made by Francis of Assisi. directs, positive results above all in the young- Franciscan Apostolate among the poor and the est patients before and after chemotherapy. This Franciscans in India – present in the country neglected is within this framework and repre- initiative created the group “Little ones of Assisi” with 53 religious congregations, in 65 provinces sents a prophetic movement which goes hand in that in a 2007 championship won 6 gold medals, – have just concluded a general assembly in Bho- hand with efforts to counter the culture the caste 2 silver, and one bronze. Feeling “privileged to be pal, during which they expressed determination system, still in use in India. The Assembly con- able to give these theories and practices and at the to remain deeply rooted in the gospel style of cluded that Franciscan apostolate cannot fail to same time to learn much from these little ones,” life, following in the footsteps of Saint Francis turn its attention to slum dwellers, Tribals, Dalits Sr. Linda comments, joking, that, “I thought to be of Assisi and Saint Clare, above all living close and immigrants and all those deprived of basic old by now, but instead that’s not how it is.” to the poorest and most marginalized persons. human rights: this will achieve “a poor fraternity, It was reported to Fides that the Franciscan par- among the poor and for the poor”. (Fides) ticipants, consecrated and lay members, focused

editore Curia Generale dei Frati Minori Cappuccini responsabile Luciano Pastorello OFMCap Curia Generale OFMCap C.P. 18382 00163 ROMA Italia collaboratori Tutti i segretari della Curia generale impaginazione e grafi ca Marek Przeczewski OFMCap edizioni italiano francese inglese polacco spagnolo tedesco portoghese Tel. +39.06660521 Fax 0039.064828267 [email protected]