PROVIN êJA FRAN ĀISKANA TA’ SAN PAWL APPOSTLU, MALTA. No. 125 03.06.2007

Secundum Verbum Tuum

CHAPTER OF MATS OF THE YOUNG MINOR CAPITOLO DELLE STUOIE DEI GIOVANI FRATI MINORI CAPÍTULO DE LAS ESTERAS DE LOS JÓVENES FRAILES MENORES Terra Sancta 01-08.VII.2007 Rapport tal-kwestornarju f’pa āni…... Kanonizzati San Antônio de Santa' Ana Galvão, OFM, San Xmun Lipnica, OFM u San ĀĀĀororor āāā Preca Il-Ħadd, 3 ta’ Āunju 2007, il-Qdusija tieg ħu l-Papa Benedittu XVI, ikkanonizza 4 qaddisin āodda, fosthom San Āor ā Preca u San Xmun Lipnica, OFM. Fil-11 ta’ Mejju, fil- vja āā pastorali li g ħamel fil-Bra Ŝil, il-Papa kkanonizza wkoll qaddis ie ħor fran āiskan, lil San Antônio de Santa' Ana Galvão, OFM. F’din il-ħar āa ta’ L-AĦBAR qeg ħdin niddedi- kaw diversi pa āni g ħal dawn i Ŝ-Ŝew ā ārajjiet memorabli.

Fuq: Il-Quddiesa tal-Kanonizzazzjoni ta’ San Antônio de Santa' Ana Galvão, OFM, l-ewwel qaddis fil-Bra Ŝil, fil-11 ta’ Mejju 2007.

Āenb: Ritratt ta’ San Āor ā mal-fa ëë ata tal-Ba Ŝilka ta’ San Pietru. L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 1

Qaddisin āodda

Preca Preca Preca Preca ā ā ā ā or or or or Ā Ā Ā Ā San San San San

San SanOFM Lipnica, Xmun OFM Lipnica, Xmun San SanOFM Lipnica, Xmun OFM Lipnica, Xmun San SandeAntônio Galvão, OFM Santa' Ana deAntônio Galvão, OFM Santa' Ana San SandeAntônio Galvão, OFM Santa' Ana deAntônio Galvão, OFM Santa' Ana

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Benedict XVI Canonizes 4 Calls Them Trinity's "Masterpieces"

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 3, 2007. Benedict XVI canonized three priests and one woman religious, and urged the faithful to make their lives, like the saints did, "a song of praise" to the Trinity. The persistent rain that fell in did not discourage the tens of thousands who filled St. Peter's Square for the of Father George Preca, Father Szymon of Lipnica,OFM, Father Charles of St. Andrew and Mother Marie-Eugénie of Jesus. Benedict XVI said in his homily that the glory of God "is reflected in the life of the saints." The urged the faithful to turn their gaze "toward the 'opened heavens' to enter with the eyes of faith into the depths of the mystery of God, one in substance and three in persons: Father and Son and Holy Spirit." The Holy Father said that "God's wisdom is manifest in the cosmos, in variety and beauty in its elements but its masterpieces are the saints." Citing Scripture, the Pontiff said: "Wisdom is an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing that is sullied enters into her. "For she is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness. And she, who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring; and passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets."

Through Christ

Benedict XVI said that in a similar way God's love is poured into the hearts of the saints -- "that is, the baptized" -- through the Holy Spirit. He said that "it is through Christ that the gift of the Spirit passes." "Through Christ," he continued, "the Spirit of God comes to us as principle of new, 'holy' life. The Spirit puts the love of God in the heart of believers in the con- crete form it had in the man Jesus of Nazareth. "In the same perspective, of God's wisdom incarnate in Christ and communi- cated by the Holy Spirit, the Gospel suggested to us that God the Father continues to manifest his plan of love through the saints." The Holy Father continued: "Each individual participates in the riches of Christ taken from the Father and communicated at the right time. "It is always Jesus' own holiness, it is always him, the 'holy one,' whom the Spirit forms in 'holy souls,' making them into friends of Jesus and witnesses of his holiness." The Pope added, "Let us be drawn by their examples, guided by their teach- ings, so that our entire existence becomes, like theirs, a song of praise to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity." Maltese President Edward Fenech-Adami, Prim Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant and some 5,000 pilgrims from Malta, at- tended the canonization of Father Preca (1880-1962), founder of the Societas Doc- trinae Christianae. Retired Archbishop Mercieca of Malta, Archbishop Paul Cremona of Malta, Mons. Mario Grech Bishop of Gozo and Mons. Sylvester Magro, OFM, Bishop of Benghazi concelebrated the Mass.

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Siltiet mill-omelija tal-Papa Benedittu XVI

A friend of Christ and a witness of his holi- ness, Fr. George Preca was moulded by Him …, , born in La Valletta on the island of Malta. As a priest he dedicated himself en- tirely to evangelization: through preaching, writing, catechesis, the administration of the sacraments but first and foremost through the example of his way of life. The expression of St John’s Gospel, “Verbum caro factum est” guided his soul and his every action, thus the Lord through him was able to bring a great work to fruition, the “Society of Christian Doctrine”, which aims to ensure Parishes the service of qualified, well prepared and gener- ous catechists. A profoundly mystic and priestly soul, he gave himself over to the love of God, Jesus and the Mary. He would often repeat “My Lord God, how greatly I am indebted to you! Thank you My Lord God and Forgive Me!. Saint George Preca may you help the Church in Malta and the entire world be the faithful echo of Christ’s voice the Word San Āor ā Preca made flesh”.

• Il novello santo, Simone da Lipnica, grande figlio della terra polacca, testi- mone di Cristo e seguace della spiritu- alità di San Francesco d’, è vissuto in epoca lontana, ma proprio oggi è pro- posto alla Chiesa come modello attuale di un cristiano che – animato dallo spirito del Vangelo – è pronto a dedicare la vita per i fratelli. Così, colmo della misericordia che attingeva dall’Eucaris- tia, non esitò a portare l’aiuto ai malati colpiti dalla peste, contraendo tale morbo che condusse alla morte anche lui. Oggi in modo particolare affidiamo alla sua protezione coloro che soffrono a causa della povertà, della malattia, della solitudine e dell’ingiustizia sociale. Tramite la sua intercessione chiediamo San Xmun per noi la grazia dell’amore perseverante Lipnica, OFM ed attivo, per Cristo e per i fratelli.

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Saint George Preca Diocesan Priest Founder of the Society of Christian Doctrine, M.U.S.E.U.M. George Preca was born in lay auxilia- Valletta, Malta, on Febru- ries, would ary. 12, 1880, to Vincenzo be respon- and Natalina Ceravolo. He sible for the was baptized in the formation Church of Our Lady of of the peo- Porto Salvo, Valletta, on ple of God. Feb. 17. It was In 1888 the Preca around this family moved to nearby time (1905- Hamrun. George received 1906) that his confirmation and his Preca met a first Communion in the group of Church of St Cajetan. young peo- When he was 17 years old, ple at Ham- George was met one of his run and in- Lyceum professors, Father vited them Ercole Mompalao, who to start at- told him: "Preca, when you tending his grow up, people who re- spiritual vere God will befriend you confer- and you them. You will ences. He find your good fortune set his eye through them and they on their through you." After his leader, Eugenio Borg, and by Bishop Pietro Pace, and studies at the Lyceum, started explaining the he celebrated his first George entered the semi- Gospel of John to him. Mass at the St. Cajetan nary of Malta with the aim (Later on, Eugenio Borg Parish church in Hamrun of becoming a priest. became the first superior- on Christmas Day. His confessor, Father general of the Societas For a number of Aloysius Galea, died on Doctrinae Christianae and weeks after ordination Fa- April 8, 1905. Preca re- was renowned for his holi- ther Preca would not ven- counted how Father Galea ness when he died in ture out of home except to appeared to him a few 1967.) say Mass, after which he days later and told him: A few months before would retire to a small "God has chosen you to his ordination to the room on the roof and re- teach his people." Preca priesthood, Preca became main there all day in was enthused with this ill and almost died. meditation and contem- idea. He wrote a rule in Through the intercession plation. Toward the end of Latin which he wanted to of St. Joseph, he survived, January 1907, he called send to for but as a consequence of the same group of young approval. He envisaged the illness his left lung people and invited them groups of seven perma- was permanently im- for a spiritual conference nent deacons in every par- paired. He was ordained a on at the Ta' Nuzzo ish who, with the help of priest on Dec. 22, 1906, Church at Hamrun. L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 5

The little group sub- Father Preca and ordered society. Father Preca or- sequently rented a small him imperiously: "Lend me dered his members to take place and met there for a hand!" a vow or promise of meek- the first time on March 7, The moment Father ness, gladly forgiving any- 1907. This marks the be- Preca put his hand on the body who poked fun at ginning of the Society of cart, he felt an extraordi- them and taught them "to Christian Doctrine: a nary spiritual sweetness love the contempt" they group of lay people leading and he never could re- suffered and not to let it an exemplary life, well member where they went trouble them unduly. formed in the principles of or what happened to the In 1916, Bishop the Catholic faith and sent young boy. He later under- Mauro Caruana ordered to teach the faith to the stood that the boy was Je- an inquiry concerning the people. sus and that the Lord was society. After many hu- At first, Father Preca asking him and his follow- miliations for the founder called his society Societas ers to help him with nur- and his close followers, Papidum et Papidissarum turing the Lord's field and the Curia issued a favor- (Society of the Sons and vineyard with sound doc- able report. Although Daughters of the Pope). trine and formation. some changes were re- The rundown place where The MUSEUM devel- quired, the way was open the first members met was oped into a group of lay for definitive ecclesiastical jokingly referred to as the people who dedicate them- approval. Bishop Caruana "museum." The nickname selves to the apostolate of canonically established soon became the name of catechesis, lead a simple the Society of Christian the group itself and it evangelical lifestyle, com- Doctrine on April 12, stuck. The founder de- mit themselves to a life of 1932. sided to make MUSEUM prayer using short prayers Father George Preca an acronym for what the or meditations at regular strived to spread the val- group would receive as a intervals during the day ues and teaching of the name: Magister Utinam ("The Museum Watch") Gospel in the Maltese Is- Sequatur Evangelium Uni- and teach catechesis to lands. He wrote a great versus Mundus! (Teacher, the young for an hour number of books on O that the whole world every day, which is then dogma, morals and spiri- would follow the Gospel!). followed by a group meet- tuality in Maltese. He also The female branch of ing for personal perma- published numerous the society was inaugu- nent formation ("The As- booklets with prayers for rated in 1910 with the signment"). the private use of his help of Giannina Cutajar, The society had its members and for popular who later became the first difficult moments. In devotion. He was un- superior-general of that 1909, Father Preca was doubtedly a great apostle branch. ordered to close his cen- of the Word of God, espe- It was around 1910 ters. Brokenhearted but cially of the Gospel which that Father Preca had a without hesitation, he he used to call "The Voice very powerful mystical ex- started following orders of the Beloved." perience which he always until the parish priests He would encourage referred to as "the extraor- themselves protested with his followers and the pub- dinary vision of the Child the ecclesiastical authori- lic in general to memorize Jesus." One morning, he ties and the ban was re- sentences and phrases was passing in the vicinity voked by Vicar General from the Gospel and his of the Marsa Cross when Salvatore Grech. charismatic preaching he suddenly saw a 12- During 1914-1915, a constantly referred to par- year-old boy pushing a low number of daily newspa- ables and stories from cart with a bag full of ma- pers carried articles and Scripture and the life of nure. The boy turned to letters denigrating the new the saints. He zealously

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defended the honor due attended catechism Preca was mortified. He only to God and persua- classes to take a small kept the title for six years sively illustrated how ugly crib or statue of the Baby until the Pope passed sin was. He never shied Jesus home for Christ- away in 1958. away from openly preach- mas. In 1955, Father ing about death, judg- The holy priest Preca blessed the founda- ment, hell and heaven. Ut- learned to trust in the ma- tion stone of the Sacred terly convinced of God's ternal protection of Our Family Institute at Zabbar justice, he nevertheless Lady, especially during the which later housed the movingly proclaimed the difficult moments of the members living in com- Lord's infinite mercy. society. He was enrolled as mon who had been staying People flocked to him a Carmelite tertiary on at Zebbug ever since their for advice or a word of en- July 21, 1918, and at his establishment in 1918. couragement. They trusted profession in September After a long and very in his intercession and 1919, he chose the name active life in the service of many still recount stories of Father Franco. the Gospel and of the of healings wrought by Children attending Christian formation of the God through Father the societies' centers are people of God, Dun Gorg Preca's prayers. He was still given the scapular. Preca died on July 26, endowed with many su- Dun Gorg also nurtured a 1962, at his house in pernatural gifts, including filial devotion to Our Lady Malta. He was buried in the knowledge of hearts of Good Counsel; he pro- the crypt of the Church of and the future. He was moted use of the Miracu- Our Lady of the Miracu- nonetheless a priest of lous Medal and in fact lous Medal at Blata l- great humility, goodness, wanted the Church of the Bajda which soon became meekness and generosity. society's motherhouse to a venue for constant pil- He was truly a holy pastor be dedicated to Our Lady grimages. of the people of God. of the Miraculous Medal. Father George Preca Dun Gorg, as the In 1957, he suggested the was beatified by Pope Maltese know him, is well use of five "mysteries of John Paul II in Malta on known for his constant light" for the private reci- May 9, 2001. His liturgical efforts to promote devotion tation of the rosary. feast is celebrated on that to the mystery of the In- On May 19, 1951, he day. carnation. From 1917, he blessed the foun- propagated devotion for dation stone of the text from the Gospel of the St. John: "Verbum Dei caro School at Santa factum est!" (John 1:14). Venera, and in He wanted the members to 1952 he sent the wear a badge with these first members to words. start the society On Christmas Eve in Australia. To- 1921, the society organ- day it is also ized the first found in , "Demonstration in Honor Albania, Sudan, of Baby Jesus" in the and Peru. towns and villages of On Oct. 2, Malta and Gozo. This 1952, Pope Pius event has since become a XII named Dun typical aspect of Christ- Gorg as Privy mas celebrations on the Chamberlain with islands. Father Preca the title of monsi- wanted every child who gnor. Father

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Saint Simon of Lipnica OFM

Blessed Simon was born in Lipnica Murowana, in the south of Poland, be- tween the years 1435- 1440. His parents, Gregory and Anne, knew how to give him a good education, in- spired by the values of the Christian faith, and, despite their mod- est conditions, they took care to secure him an adequate cultural formation. Simon grew up with a pious and responsible nature, rich in a natural pre- disposition towards prayer and a tender love for the Mother of God. He moved to Kra- kow, to attend the fa- mous Jagiellonian Academy, in 1454. It was precisely in those years that St. John of Capestrano enthused the city through the sanctity of his life and the fervour of his preaching, attracting a dense crowd of young, generous men to the franciscan vocation. On vent were called the received, with another ten the 8th September 1453, “Berdardini” by the people. fellow students, into the the Italian saint founded In 1457, the young convent of Stradom. the first convent of the Simon, fascinated by the Under the wise guid- Observance, with the franciscan ideal, also ance of the Novice Master, name of the recently can- chose to acquire the pearl Br. Christopher of Varese, onised St. Bernardine of of great price mentioned in a religious renown for his Siena, in Krakow. It was the Gospel and left aside a teaching and sanctity of for that reason that the possible successful and life, Simon generously em- Friars Minor of the con- rich future. He asked to be braced the humble and L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 8

poor life of the Friars Mi- the Holy Land later. He On the sixth day of the nor and received the lived this experience in a disease, the 18th July priesthood about the year spirit of penance, truly 1482, without fear of 1460. He exercised his loving the passion of death and with his eyes first ministry in the con- Christ, with the hidden fixed on the Crucifix, he vent of Tarnów, where he aspiration of spilling his gave his soul back to God. was the Guardian of the own blood for the salva- The “ab immemora- fraternity. He later estab- tion of souls, if it would bili” cult rendered to lished himself in Stradom please God. He emulated Blessed Simon, which (Krakow), dedicating him- St. Francis in his love for passed into the history of self untiringly to preach- the Holy Places. In view of seraphic sanctity under ing with a clear word, full the possibility of being the title of “Salutis om- of ardour, faith and wis- captured by the non- nium sitibundus”, was dom, which permitted a believers, he wished to confirmed by Blessed In- glimpse of his profound learn the Rule of the Order nocent XI on the 24th union with God and of his by heart before undertak- February 1685. prolonged study of Sacred ing the journey in order The cause of his canonisa- Scripture. “to have it always before tion, taken up by the Holy Like St. Bernardine the eyes of his mind”. Father Pius XII on the of Siena and St. John of The love of Simon for 25th June 1948, today Capestrano, Br. Simon his brothers and sisters reaches its happy ending, spread devotion to the was manifested in an ex- following the recognition of Name of Jesus, obtaining traordinary way during his heroic virtues and of the conversion of innu- the last year of his life, the miraculous cure which merable sinners. He, the when an epidemic of occurred in Krakow in first of the Friars Minor, plague broke out in Kra- 1943 and attributed to the took up the duty of kow. The city was under intercession of the preacher in the Cathedral the scourge of the disease Blessed. The respective of Wawel in 1463. Because from July 1482 to the 6th Decrees were promulgated of his dedication to January 1483. The Fran- by the Holy Father Bene- preaching the Gospel, the ciscans of the convent of dict XVI on the 19th of De- ancient sources conferred St. Bernardine tirelessly cember 2005 and the 16th the title of “predicator fer- did all they could to care December 2006. ventissimus” on him. for the sick as true consol- Simon of Lipnica In his desire to give ing angels. knew how to combine ad- homage to St. Bernardine Br. Simone, held it to mirably his commitment of Siena, the inspirer of be a “propitious time” to to evangelisation and to his preaching, he, with exercise charity and to ful- giving witness to charity, some Polish confreres, fil the offering of his own which flowed from his went to Aquila to partici- life. He went everywhere great love for the Word of pate in the solemn trans- comforting, giving suc- God and for the poor and fer of the body of the saint, cour, administering the suffering. The Order of Fri- on the 17th May 1472, to sacraments and announc- ars Minor, on the vigil of the new Church erected in ing the consoling Word of the celebration of the VIII his honour. He was again God to the dying. He was Centenary of its Founda- in Italy in 1478, on the soon infected. He suffered tion (1209-2009), salutes occasion of the General the pain of the disease him as an authentic wit- Chapter of Pavia. He had a with extraordinary pa- ness to poverty, humility way, then, to be able to tience and, near the end, and simplicity, as well as satisfy his deepest desire expressed his desire to be to the joy of belonging to visit the tombs of the buried under the thresh- fully to the Lord and to Apostles in Rome and to old of the church so that being a gift to the life of extend his pilgrimage to all could trample on him. the Friars.

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Pope Proclaims Brazilian Franciscan Saint a Model An example for all to follow in a hedonistic age Pope Benedict XVI presented ardent adorer of the Eucharist, Brazilian Saint Antônio de San- as a prudent and wise guide of ta'Ana Galvão, OFM, as an ex- the souls who sought his coun- ample for all to follow in a sel, and as a man with a great "hedonistic age." devotion to the Immaculate The Holy Father arrived Conception of Mary." via "popemobile" at the canoni- The Pontiff said that Fa- zation Mass at the airfield of ther Galvão's "example lies in Campo de Marte Airport in São his willingness to be of service Paulo. Before arriving at the to the people whenever he was altar, he greeted some of the asked." more than 1.2 million people The Holy Father added who were awaiting him on a that "the conversion of sinners clear, sunny day. was ... the great passion of our Cardinal José Saraiva saint," and that the "renown of Martins, prefect of the Congre- his immense charity knew no gation for Saints' Causes, pre- bounds." sented the petition of canoniza- of the Episcopates of Latin tion of Blessed Galvão, accom- An example America and the Caribbean. He panied by the of the reminded the crowd of the cause, Sister Célia Cadorim. The Pontiff then presented Fa- theme: "Disciples and Mission- The cardinal briefly sum- ther Galvão as an example to be aries of Jesus Christ, so That marized the life of the Francis- followed: "There is a phrase in- Our Peoples May Have Life in can : "Until the end of his cluded in the formula of his Him." days he was for all a man of consecration which sounds re- "How can we fail to see," peace and charity." markably contemporary to us, the Pope asked, "the need to After the canonization, who live in an age so full of he- listen with renewed fervor to Benedict XVI received some donism: 'Take away my life be- God's call, so as to be able to relics of the newly proclaimed fore I offend your blessed Son, respond generously to the chal- saint, one of which was pre- my Lord!' lenges facing the Church in sented by a religious of the "They are strong words, Brazil and in Latin America?" Monastery of Light, constructed the words of an impassioned and founded by the Franciscan. soul, words that should be part Father Galvão of the normal life of every Chris- An evangelizer tian, whether consecrated or Antônio Galvão de not, and they enkindle a desire Franca was born in 1739 in In his homily -- which for fidelity to God in married Guaratingueta, in the state of was interrupted five times with couples as well as in the un- São Paulo. applause -- Benedict XVI high- married." He studied with the Jesu- lighted the virtues of Father Benedict XVI added: "The its in Bahia, but entered the Galvão: "Let us give thanks to world needs transparent lives, in 1760. God for the lasting benefits ob- clear souls, pure minds that He was ordained a priest tained through the powerful refuse to be perceived as mere in 1762. He lived in the Con- evangelizing influence that the objects of pleasure. vent of St. Francis in Sao Paulo Holy Spirit impressed upon so "It is necessary to oppose for 60 years. He died in 1822. many souls through Frei those elements of the media Father Galvão founded Galvão. that ridicule the sanctity of the Monastery of Light in Sao "The Franciscan charism, marriage and virginity before Paulo, which the United Na- lived out in the spirit of the marriage." tions declared as a cultural pat- Gospel, has borne significant Benedict XVI also spoke rimony of humanity. fruits through his witness as an of the 5th General Conference L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 10

Benedict XVI's Greeting to Brazilian Proclaim the Message of Love That Conquers Sorrow

Be praised, my Lord, for da Esperança " -- home to God, saves humanity from all your creatures! -- With so many, especially young death, from sin and from these words, addressed to people, who are seeking to slavery to passions. The the Almighty and Good overcome drug addiction, Passover of Christ unites Lord, the Poor Saint of As- alcoholism, and chemical heaven and earth. In this sisi acknowledged the dependency -- that a clear "Fazenda da Esperança ", unique bounty of God the witness is given to the the prayers of the Poor Creator, and the tender- Gospel of Christ amid a Clare Sisters are united ness, strength and beauty consumer society far re- with the demanding work that gently flows out upon moved from God. What a of medicine and therapy in all his creatures, making contrast from the prospect order to vanquish the pris- them mirrors of the Crea- of the Creator beholding ons and break the chains tor's omnipotence. his work! In their contem- of drugs that bring so Dear Sisters, spiri- plative lives, the Poor much suffering to God's tual daughters of Saint Clare Sisters and other beloved children. Clare, our gathering here cloistered religious gaze In this way God's in this "Fazenda da Esper- upon the greatness of God creation is restored to the ança " is meant to be a and also discover the beauty that so delights sign of the affection of the beauty of his creation; and amazes its Creator. Successor of Peter towards hence they can picture He is the Almighty Father, the cloistered Sisters, and him as the sacred author it is he alone whose es- also a serene manifesta- indicates, caught up in sence is love and whose tion of love, echoing wonder at his handiwork, glory is man fully alive, in through the hills and val- his beloved creation: "And the expression of Saint leys of the Mantiqueira God saw everything that . He "so loved the mountain-range and he had made, and behold, world that he gave his only spreading throughout the it was very good!" (Genesis Son" (John 3:16), in order whole land: "No speech, no 1:31). to raise up the one who word, no voice is heard; When sin entered the had fallen along the road- yet their span extends world, and with sin, death, side, attacked and through all the earth, their God's beloved creation, wounded by thieves on the words to the utmost though wounded, was not way from Jerusalem to bounds of the totally deprived of beauty: Jericho. On the pathways world" (Psalm 18:4-5). on the contrary, a still of the world, Jesus is "the From this place, the greater love was received: hand" that the Father daughters of Saint Clare "O happy fault, which stretches out to sinners; proclaim: "Be praised, my gained for us so great a he is the way that leads to Lord, for all your crea- Redeemer!" -- as the peace (cf. Second Eucha- tures!" Church proclaims in the ristic Prayer for Recon- In places where soci- Exsultet during the myste- ciliation). Truly we dis- ety no longer sees any fu- rious and radiant night of cover here that the beauty ture or hope, Christians Easter. It is the risen of creation and the love of are called to proclaim the Christ who heals the God are inseparable. Fran- power of the Resurrection: wounds and saves the cis and also it is here, in this "Fazenda sons and daughters of discover this secret and

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they propose to their be- loved sons and daughters one very simple thing: to live the Gospel. This is their norm of conduct and their rule of life. Clare ex- pressed it very well when she said to her sisters: "Among yourselves, my daughters, let there be the same love with which Christ has loved you" (Testament). In this same love, L-isqfijiet waqt i ë-ëelebrazzjoni tal-kanonizzazzjoni ta Fra Antonio Brother Hans invited them to be the guarantors of all threads of life, is losing your silent prayerful self- the work carried out in the the true sense of hope. offering, an eloquent si- "Fazenda da Esperança ". This loss, according to lence that the Father Through the strength of Saint Paul, is the self- hears, proclaim the mes- silent prayer, through imposed curse of sage of love that conquers fasting and penance, the "heartless persons" (cf. Ro- sorrow, drugs and death. daughters of Saint Clare mans 1:31). Proclaim Jesus Christ, a live out the commandment My dear Sisters, human being like us, who of love for God and make it your task to pro- suffers like ourselves, who neighbour in its supreme claim that "hope does not took our sins upon himself form, loving to the end. disappoint" (Romans 5:5). in order to deliver us from This means that we May the sorrow of the them! must never lose hope! Crucified Lord, which Soon we shall begin Hence the name given to filled Mary's soul at the the Fifth General Confer- this work by Brother foot of the Cross, console ence of the Episcopate of Hans: "Fazenda da Esper- the hearts of many moth- Latin America and the ança ". We need to build ers and fathers who weep Caribbean at the Shrine of up hope, weaving the fab- with sorrow because of Aparecida, so close to the ric of a society that, by re- their children's continuing "Fazenda da Esperança ". I laxing its grip on the dependency on drugs. By trust in your prayers, that our peoples may have life in Jesus Christ and that we may all be his disciples and missionaries. I im- plore Mary, the Mother Aparecida, the Virgin of Nazareth who, in following Christ, kept all these things in her heart, to keep you in the fruitful silence of prayer. To all cloistered Sis- ters, especially to the Poor Clares present in this in- stitution, I impart my blessing with great affec- tion . Soru fran āiskana āā orr ir-relikwa ta’ Fra Antonio L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 12

Communication of the General Definitory

1. Fraternal Exchange eral in visiting two Basilica of St. John The members of the Provinces in Poland – the Lateran and the Fraternity General Definitory brought Province of Saint Mary of of the College of St. each other up to date on the Angels and the Prov- in Grottafer- their activities and visits ince of the Immaculate rata. since the last meeting in Conception, both with March, a period which in- headquarters in Kraków. 3. Election of Visitators cluded Holy Week and Br. Finian McGinn at- The following Visitators Easter. The Minister and tended the spring meeting were elected by the Vicar General and almost of the English-Speaking General Definitory: Br. all the attended Conference of the Order in Gloriano Pazzini of the a meeting with the Confer- Vilnius, . Br. Province of Christ the King ence of Spain and Portugal Juan Ignacio Muro and of Bologna, Italy, as Visita- (CONFRES) in Seville in Br. Luis G. Cabrera H. at- tor for the Province of early April. In addition: tended the Franciscan Saint Vigilius of Trent, It- the Minister General at- Congress in Monterey, aly; Br. Giacinto D’Angelo tended part of the Chapter Mexico. Br. Luis also at- of the Province of the Im- of the Province of Saint tended the Chapter of maculate Conception of James of Compostella, Mats of the Province of the the BVM of Salerno, Italy, and also briefly visited the Holy Gospel in Mexico. Br. as Visitator for the Province of Aranzazu with Amaral Bernardo Amaral Province of St. James of Br. Miguel Vallecillo M. Br. visited Libya during the the , Italy. Miguel also attended the Easter period. Br. Mario Chapter of the Federation Favretto was at the 4. The Jubilee Fund of Morocco. Br. Francesco Chapter. Br. The Definitory received the Bravi, Vicar General, at- Nguyen Van Si visited report of the recent meet- tended part of the Chapter China. The Minister Gen- ing of the Administrative of the Province of Lom- eral attended a meeting of Council of the Jubilee bardy, and worked with the Conference of the Min- Fund and made decisions the Italian Secular Fran- isters General of the First on some proposals. It also ciscans. The Minister Gen- Order and the T.O.R., ac- accepted the modifications eral and Br. Jakab Várnai companied by Br. Stefano in the Norms of the Fund visited the Netherlands; Recchia, who was reap- recommended by the Br. Jakab also attended pointed Secretary of the Council. the Chapter of Mats of the Conference for a further Province of Blessed term. 5. Approval of Particular Pacifico in France and the Statutes Province of the Three 2. Visitation Reports Proposed alterations in the Companions in France The Definitory studied and Particular Statutes of and Belgium. Br. Šime Sa- discussed the reports of some Provinces were con- mac presided over the the Canonical Visitation of sidered, together with the Chapter of the Province of two of the fraternities de- recommendations of the the Assumption in Bosnia- pendent on the Minister Jurdicial Commission of Herzegovina, and also General: the Fraternity of the Order, and decisions joined the Minister Gen- the Penitentiaries of the made.

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 13

6. Economic Matters 7. Meeting of Conference erings over future months, • The report of the exter- Presidents especially the Meeting nal Auditor regarding the During the second week of with Franciscan Cardinals General Accounts was put the Definitory meetings and Bishops in Assisi and before the Definitory; it they met with the Presi- Rome (June 18-22), and will be circulated to the dents of the Conferences the “Under 10” Chapter of Provinces later. of the Order (May 7, 8 and Mats in the Holy Land • The General Treasurer, 9). Topics addressed in- (first week of July). The Br. Giancarlo Lati, also cluded the role of the Con- Definitory also discussed presented an update on ferences in the animation participation inarrange- work at the construction and renewal of the Order, ments for the meeting of sites connected with the feedback on how the enti- UFME (Union of Francis- houses dependent on the ties are embracing the vi- can Ministers of Europe) Minister General. sion and dynamic of the which will be held in Sara- • The recommendations of 2006 Extraordinary Gen- jevo on October 9-14 the Commission for Finan- eral Chapter, an update 2007, and for the meeting cial Requests were re- on the economic affairs of of the General Definitory viewed and allocations de- the General houses, and with the ESC (English- cided. an initial exchange on the Speaking Conference) at • The General Definitory next General Chapter. Af- St. Bonaventure Univer- received a report on the ter this meeting ended, the sity, NY, in March-April of meeting held on 5 May General Definitory re- 2008. 2007 by the Group for flected on the oral and Collaboration on Financial written evaluation the 9. Administrative Assistance (made up of Presidents had offered on Decisions various agencies in the the meeting, and dis- In two separate sessions Order which provide assis- cussed how to incorporate the Definitory studied a tance for projects) and them in future planning. large number of files in- supported plans to volving administration and streamline the coordina- 8. Upcoming Meetings governance, and made de- tion of information on ap- and Events. cisions in their regard. plications and on the The Definitory checked granting of assistance. with the members involved Br. Seán Collins, ofm in preparing various gath- Secretary General

Fr. Marco Tasca, O.F.M.Conv. of the Province of St. Anthony (Padua - Italy) was elected as Minister General of the Order of the Friars Minor Conventual. Born June 9, 1957; temporary vows September 17, 1977; solemn profession 28 November, 1981; priestly ordination 19 March, 1983; Minister provin- cial since 2005.

Our Fraternal best wishes of All Good!

New Minister General for OFMConv

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 14

Meeting with the Conference Presidents Rome, 7 - 9 May 2007

I thought it might be helpful if I gave you bar. Everything must be brought a summary of the information given the up to EU standards. They began Presidents at our recent meeting at the work April 4 and will conclude Curia. The specific information I am May 2008. Total cost will be 8.5 speaking about concerns the Five million euros. This is far more Projects that are being undertaken by than we were told at the Chapter. the Order. As we were informed in The figure then was 3 million Vilnius, we will be getting a letter from euros. However, the extent of the the General asking for funding support work needed was not clear at that for these projects. Giancarlo gave us an time. For example, the EU is extensive presentation. I will not demanding that the wood of the attempt to give you his whole seats in the Aula be maintained presenation but here are the highlights. and used. This will be more expensive than just replacing the The five projects are: seats. • • The Aula Magna at San The Rooms at San Antonio to be Antonio: this will end of being the rented to the Lateran U. Begin big Aula for 600, a conference room April 4 and end September for 100, and two conference rooms 2007. 40 rooms with chapel and for 50. There will be all the own entrance. The rent will be necessary services to take care of 384,000 euros a year for six years these including a cafeteria and and then adjusted. They expect to make a profit of 189,000 euros a L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 15

year. I dont remember the cost of How is all of this going to be paid this part of the project. for? good question. The Curia already • The Soup Kitchen at San Antonio: has on hand 3 million euros; the begin in June 2, 2007 and end General has commitments or pledges for February 2008. The dining room another 3 to 4 milllion euros. He is will be able to sit 128 at a going begging to the Provinces and that time. they feed about 250 a day. It is why you are getting the letter. >If he will include showers and a chapel, can raise the rest through begging, then and entrance. The cost of the work they have already talked to the banks is totally independent of the about a loan. The Order has been given Order. The cost will come from the highest level of credibility by the donations and bequests. The banks. The interest rate would be 4.2 ongoing operation is also percent. the other possibility is to independent of the Orders borrow from Proovinces who cannot give finances. but can loan with no interest. Asked • St. Isidores: the cost of the about how long it would take to pay renovation is 2.48 million back a loan of 10 million, Giancarlo euros. There will be 15 rooms with indicated a ten year period. He is offices and bedrooms en assuming that these various projects suite. Plus two guest bedrooms for would be bringing in an income of about visiting scholars. The cost of this one million euros a year. is a gift of the Irish province. In There was not much discussion addition the Irish province is giving among the Presidents. Some said they the income from the garage which would prefer one project at a time rather is about 350,000 euros a year for than all five at once. Others said that the expenses of Grottoferata. Thus they agreed with the long range plan of the General Order will not have to fnancial stability but did not know use its funds for the activity of the where the immediate money woulc come study center. In addition the old from. I got the impression that the Grottoferata property will be leased immediacy comes from Jose who sees which will bring in additional that this is the time to do it when he is income. general and has Giancarlo. If it is not • The Orphanage: Will begin done now, it might not get done and work June 2007 and end Dec then the long range funding of the Order 2009. 62 rooms with 128 will still be an issue. beds. Total cost is 8.8 million.tTe This is the best summary that I total cost of the projects (excluding can give you. I hope it helps in your the soup kitchen and St. own discernment when you receive the Isidores) is 22 milllion euros. begging letter from Jose. I will tell you that I did meet privately with him and Why are we doing this now? told him about our meeting in Lithuania A lot of this property is not be and our discussions around fundraising utilized. We are not taking advantage of and the projects. He listened and was the resources we have. Need to develop appreciative and said he could extra income beyond the tax bands understand the concerns. That was because in the wealthier nations the about it. number of friars are is decreasing and in At our Fall meeting I want to go the poorer nations the number of friars through all of this again but will bring are increasing. Need a reserve fund at up the topic if anyone has further the Curia; this is just good business clarifications or something was not practice. The Soup Kitchen project is a clear. I took good notes so I believe I visible sign of the Orders solidarity with have reported accurately. the Poor. Mel Jurisich, OFM L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 16

INVITATION. The Friars Minor through- encountered God and opened his arms out Europe (UFME), with the certainty towards the poor of his day are still a that is a guiding light, precious treasure where culture, art, still able to illuminate the way of our history, grace and the Gospel speak to nations and to give hope to the hearts of us. San Damiano, the Porziuncola, the our mankind, invite all young people – Carceri, the basilicas of St. Francis and from 18-30 years old – throughout Clare, the medieval city ... all narrate Europe to a meeting which is designed and extraordinary adventure, both hu- to help us rediscover the Franciscan man and Christian, which has given new roots of our continent. input to the life of our continent. Assisi is like the fi rst step of an itinerary, MOTIVATIONS. The Franciscan which will continue throughout all Euro- charism, since the very beginning, has pean countries. contributed to evangelize the European continent, to renew the Church through THE PROGRAM. You will be together its initiative of charity and human pro- with other young people from around motion in regards to the poor, to the Europe, all of whom sympathize with St. birth of new lifestyles and spirituality Francis as well as with friends of our fri- centered on man, community and the ars, sharing your life experiences, pray- Gospel of Jesus Christ. We desire to of- ing and celebrating the faith that unites fer all young people, whom are always us, visiting the sites and meeting com- sensitive to that which is most authentic munities testify Francis’ evangelical joy. and true, the possibility to know the gift The program offers, aside from a simple which God has granted to Francis and room and board, moments of joyful fra- Clare of Assisi and to those that today ternity, cultural encounters, visits to the follow their footsteps in poverty and sim- Franciscan sanctuaries, show and fi ple joy. lms, moments of prayer and spiritual teachings, and the meeting of authentic TOGETHER IN ASSISI FROM 7-12 AU- Franciscan witnesses. GUST 2007. The places where Francis L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 17

EVANGELIUM OBSERVARE THE INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS for the II Congress of the Moderators of Ongoing Formation, October 2007

The Instrumentum once again (cf. RFF 40, 42, science. The threat to the Laboris was thought out 43). environment questions us and redacted during the The second section on the sustainability of course of the XI Interna- proposes integration be- our model of economic de- tional Council for Forma- tween ongoing formation velopment. The growth in tion and Studies, held in and evangelisation, the violence and in fundamen- (Kenya) from the mission and justice, peace talism of various kinds 5th to 15 th February 2007. and the integrity of crea- constitutes a challenge to Following approval by the tion. Everyday life, the or- our capacity for peaceful General Definitory, it is dinary mission of the Friar co-existence between peo- now sent out to the Mod- and fraternity, and the ples and for ecumenical erators of Ongoing Forma- real world are recovered as and inter-religious dia- tion as a preparatory the primary places of on- logue. The emergence of document for the Interna- going formation. new and powerful Asiatic tional Congress for the The third section countries on the world Moderators themselves points out some means for scene makes that conti- (Assisi, 13 th to 28 th Octo- ongoing formation, on nent a decisive place for ber 2007). which we will be asked to the future and obliges the The first part of the work during the Congress West to re-think itself in a Instrumentum Laboris in order to up-date the new way. presents a summary of the 1995 document: “Ongoing It is in this world responses to the Question- Formation in the Order of that we live and it is to naire sent to each Entity. Friars Minor”. this world we are sent. It is a broad and detailed The Congress which May listening to the Word view of what would be very we are about to celebrate of God and the power of useful to reflect on to- comes at a particular mo- the franciscan charism gether, especially to iden- ment of the history of hu- enlighten our intelligence tify the journey which still manity, of the Church and in order to situate our- lies before us. of our Fraternity. selves within this extraor- The second part con- We are living in a dinary context in which tains the contents of the possibly unique kind of our vocation is lived and Congress in three points. change of epoch. The also, therefore, our ongo- The first section be- questions of peace and life ing formation realised. We gins with the primacy of bring the very future of must always be, then, the person, seen within humanity into play. The more aware that a great the creative work of the imbalance and unprece- part of our future is being Trinitarian God and en- dented injustices in the played out around the re- dowed, in a special way, distribution of the goods of launch and profound with the gift of freedom. creation and of wealth, es- change of our continuous The person, as the pro- pecially on the continents formation. We are not liv- tagonist in his own forma- of Africa, Asia and Latin- ing in a time of religious tive journey within the fra- America, constitute an ex- life when it is enough to ternity and the real world, traordinary appeal to our put on patches or to find is, in this way, proposed human and Christian con- ways for survival. L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 18

We are forcibly asked by Lord in faith is, therefore, which we do not under- the Spirit, through the decisive today for any pro- stand”. signs of the times, for a ject of renewal or re- Passion for and com- profound change of vision foundation of our life. If mitment to ongoing forma- and of life in order to have we do not set out and if we tion is totally at one with a religious life that is do not find agreement that course of transforma- really new during this about this incandescent tion which the Order must change of epoch, as ours core of the experience of carry out, in a special way, is. faith, we can say that we during the celebration of As Br. José, our Min- will strive in vain in any the grace of our origins . ister General, reminded us work whatsoever! […] I The year 2007 is in his Message to the XI hope with all my heart dedicated to the accep- International Council, that you will identify to- tance of the Gospel, the “ongoing formation in its gether the most urgent centre of every new initia- totality wishes to help us challenges so that we all tive of Christian and con- to live, already today, the may be able to accept a secrated life: we hope that grace of the future , which more decisive path of con- the Council and the Con- is the following of Christ version and, therefore, of gress dedicated to ongoing lived in our time and with ongoing formation, with formation will help us to the heart and mind turned audacity and a new un- give shape and form to our to Him, who comes in derstanding so that we will audacity to live the Gos- these our times also. A not come to a halt in a pel. more profound and con- nostalgia for the past or in scious adherence to the the paralysis of a present The General Secretariat for Formation and Studies

Br. Alojzy Warot, ofm Br. Massimo Fusarelli, ofm. Id-dokument s ħiħ jinsab fuq il-website ta’ l-Ordni.

informazzjoni

• Il-Ministru Provin ëjal, Fra Paul Galea, āie mistieden mill- Kummissarju G ħoli g ħall-Malta fl-Ingilterra, Dr. Michael Refalo, biex imexxi ë-ëelebrazzjoni tal-festi ta’ Marija Bambina f’Londra, f’Settembru li āej.

• Fra ĀuŜepp Camilleri ri ëentement g ħamel il-pace-maker tal-qalb. Nawgurawlu aktar sa ħħ a.

• Fra ĀuŜepp Beneditt Xuereb u Fra Godfrey Micallef, u omm Fra Charles Grech qed jir ëievu attenzjoni medika. Nitolbu g ħalihom.

• Niftakru wkoll fit-talb tag ħna, fis-Sinjura Giovanna Micallef, omm Fra Albert, li fit-2 ta’ Mejju, 2007 ng ħaqdet mal-Ħallieq biex tfa ħħ ru g ħal dejjem. Il-funeral tag ħha āie ëë elebrat fil-knisja tag ħna tar-Rabat. Ag ħtiha, O Mulej, il-mistrie ħ fis-sliem!

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 19

GENERAL CURIA OF THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR

REPLIES TO THE Q UESTIONNAIRE FROM THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE ‘U NDER T EN ’ C HAPTER OF M ATS IN THE H OLY L AND 30 TH J UNE – 8 TH J ULY 2007

Dear Brothers, with the 125 Entities of the Or- tivities, a sign of the fact the aim of living the der arrived, that is, 35.2% that no contribution from capitular experience as of the total. A reply did ar- the young Friars to the life well as possible, the rive from all the 15 Con- of the Entities of the Order Preparatory Commission ferences. This means that, is precluded. sent a questionnaire to although we have only a Here, in summary, is a list each Entity (Province, little more than one third of the replies received, Autonomous Custody) of of the possible replies, it is from the more frequent to the Order. We thought it sufficiently representative the lesser frequent: was important to start out of the reality of the Order parish pastoral activity; from the concrete on the various continents. • youth and vocational situation lived by each pastoral activity; Friar in the conviction that • Houses of initial for- the Word of God, to which mation (Masters and we wish to be attentive Vice-Masters); and trusting listeners, can • pastoral activity and be embodied in the life of teaching in schools; each one, only if we recog- • higher studies; nise ourselves for what we • provincial and local are, with the lights and offices (Definitors, shadows which mark the Secretaries, Guardi- living situation of our fra- ans, Bursars, etc.); ternities. • charitable work; The Final Docu- • itinerant evangelisa- ment of the 2006 Extraor- tion and preaching; dinary General Chapter, • sanctuaries; “The Lord Speaks with us • hospital pastoral on the Road” (LSR), also Reading the data work; supports this idea: “The 1. Great differences • ad gentes missions; process we have lived to- are noted regarding the • assistance to the gether has confirmed for number of Under Ten Fri- SFO and You.Fra; us that what is most ars. It would be necessary • activity for justice proper to the Franciscan to compare the number and peace; way is to start out from with the total number of • work in the mass life. That is to say, we Friars in each Entity in media of communica- start from the importance order to see what percent- tions; of practice in order to un- age is in the band of Un- • inserted fraternities; derstand our vocation bet- der Ten. It is, therefore, • catechesis and for- ter. Theory illuminates impossible to make any mation of the laity; life, but it can never sub- further conclusions. • contemplative com- stitute for it” (n. 10). 2. The Friars carry munities and Houses Replies from 44 of out a great variety of ac- of spirituality.

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 20

3. The number of Fri- “Do you feel supported in caused by the aging of the ars who left the Order also your vocation?”, the provincial fraternity, the varies from Entity to replies, in general, were reduction in the number Entity. This says nothing positive, but there is no of new vocations and the in itself, unless compared lack of the realistic affir- weight of historical struc- to the number of those mation about difficulties tures. Others see the risk who entered and of those in dialogue in fraternity of being limited to the who remain in the Order. and in support on the part ‘always done’, with little 4. The results related of the government of the projection or creativity, as to the attempt to give a Province. The young Friars well as being unprepared response to the question feel that, at times, they are culturally. on why people leave are engaged in carrying out We are put on our most interesting. Keeping the activities of the exist- guard by anti-testimony in mind that those who ing structures and that and scandal (wealth, arro- replied were interpreting they are not appreciated gance, power, abuses); a what happened in the life for their charisms (even if need is seen to take more of another (variable ac- this could mean, on the care of the quality and au- cording to the subjectivity other hand, that trust has thenticity of the life of of the one replying), the been placed in the young prayer and fraternity is replies can be concen- Friars, seeing that they seen. trated into three broad ar- are involved in every kind In general, however, eas: of activity, even with nota- the more or less success- • the psycho-affective ble responsibility). The ful attempt to continue to area : poor human feeling of isolation, found be “brothers of the peo- maturity, problems in more than one reply, is ple”, to be close to the peo- in relationships, diffi- not to be ignored. There ple and their problems is culties in living celi- are those who underline, noted. In this perspective, bacy; however, the great support the calls for a style of • the vocational area : given by prayer in com- evangelisation that is less the progressive loss mon and by working to- self-referential and more of the importance of gether. There are also capable of collaboration prayer, crises of those who are asked not with other ecclesiastical faith, loss of identity only about how they can subjects are to be under- with the charism; be supported in their vo- lined. • fraternal-formative cation, but also about how There is no lack of those area : the lack of they could give a contribu- who point out the poor in- guidance and sup- tion to improving the re- culturation of the francis- port in fraternity, lit- sponse to their vocation by can message, especially, tle attention on the their confreres. though not exclusively, in part of formators, a 6. The attitudes to the countries of Latin lack of discernment, the initiatives of one’s own America. The demand for powerful individual- Entity towards the de- more courage in the area ism, too heavy re- mands of present-day men of social commitment to sponsibility, absence and women are varied. the poor, to the missions, of dialogue in frater- For some, the Province is to those suffering from nity, great differences “limited” to carrying out, AIDS, to prisoners, to the between initial and even competently, tradi- area of JPIC and to the ongoing formation, tional pastoral services. field of communications is loss of motivation This often means, in the also shared by many. when faced by the interpretation of those an- Someone said, provoca- gap between the ideal swering the Question- tively, that rather than re- and reality. naire, a certain form of sponding to the expecta- 5. On the question, closure to what is new, tions (non evangelical,

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perhaps) of present-day should not be theoretical, to the maintenance of mankind, it is necessary but should push all to structures, but rather to ask if the Friars have practical acts of conver- should we look to the fu- anything to say to it. sion, both personal and ture with more creativity Finally, there is the communal, otherwise it and courage. perplexity, advanced in will all end up as a delu- It is asked to deepen many points, of a big dif- sion that would be even mutual knowledge and ference between initial greater than the desire for exchange in the Order, to formation, attentive and re-foundation. increase the knowledge of demanding, and ongoing 8. How can the languages and the use of formation, scarce and fraternal life be improved? the means of communica- ineffective, and often left In this case also the re- tions in order to facilitate to the goodwill of the indi- sponses are many. The dialogue; the Order is vidual or is unbalanced by Under Ten Friars have a asked for less theory and stressing cultural realistic view of their fra- more prophetic capacity updating only. ternity and, except for the for entering into praxis. 7. The appeal for the differences of history and 9. The opinions are re-foundation of the Order culture of each Entity, very positive about the is, in general, well they agree in identifying International Meetings of received. The demand for the directives along which the young Friars. They are it is felt and the goodwill the changes should be ori- held to be useful for to do it is shared. It is held ented (prayer life, frater- knowledge and encounter, to be important to recover nity, poverty, evangelisa- for giving new enthusiasm the fundamental values of tion and formation) with and hope. our charism, even with the those of the “priorities” of At the same time, fall of numbers in many the Order. various manifest a de- Entities. It is asked, at the It seems that the re- mand for an effective same time, that it not be quirement for a more pro- process in the Provinces “imposed” from the found and less later, a kind of “post- General Curia, but that it “institutional” dialogue in chapter” where all that be really felt by all by fraternity, as well as the emerges from the interna- returning decidedly to the request for a serious spiri- tional meetings could be sources of our vocation, to tual accompaniment even made to bear fruit on the the Gospel in particular. It after the stage of initial local level. According to is in this sense that the formation, should be others, on the contrary, it requests for a truer life, stressed. would be still more fruitful less estranged from the In addition, the de- to celebrate the meetings people, for the cultivation mand to open up more to by Conference or with sur- of the spirit of collabora- forms of collaboration, rounding Provinces so that tion and of fraternity, and whether between Prov- all the young Friars could for working for justice inces or other ecclesiasti- participate and none the within the Order and in cal subjects, to take topics dealt with would society, are read. greater care of relations run the risk of being too While some show there is with the territory (the generic. interest and involvement, requirement of others complain of the inculturation) and to avoid Preparing for the Chap- sparse closeness and sup- dispersion, which comes ter of Mats port on the part of the from long term projec- This is our reality. central government and do tions, is manifested. Without any pretensions not know how to proceed. It is asked that we at being exhaustive, the The important thing is not concentrate only on questionnaire has given us that all these efforts at internal problems linked a more or less realistic un- change and authenticity to the fall in numbers or derstanding of our

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 22

presence and of our expec- What happened after- the Church tomorrow at tations in the reality where wards is fraternal com- dawn, take up the Gospel we live. Each Friar can munion: “Now while He Book and seek the counsel have an overall view of the was with them at table, He of Christ.” “Let us return life of the Order through took the bread and said to the Gospel and our life this “letter of data”, but the blessing: then He will recover the poetry , the should recognise that broke it and handed it to beauty and the enchant- while some questions and them. And their eyes were ment of our origins … Let challenges are specific opened and they us free the Gospel and the only to our own cultures recognised Him”. Later, Gospel will set us free.” many problems and hopes they returned to their The hermeneutical key for unite us. companions and shared the approach to the Gos- Like the disciples of with them, first of all by pel is precisely its poten- Emmaus, faced by the listening to them tial to free us from all our difficulties of our life, we attentively, and then by slaveries” ( LSR 14). can be tempted to be dis- narrating the story of the To prepare our- couraged, to close in on victory of life over death selves for the Chapter of ourselves in a sterile revealed definitively in the Mats, which we will hold criticism of the “system”. resurrection of Christ. in the Holy Land from the “At this moment of The underlying 30 th of June to the 8 th of our history, when we re- process is simple, as is July, we ask you to reflect member the grace of our everything that is funda- carefully on the data we origins in the context of mental: meeting; speaking have drawn from the re- the radical transforma- about what has happened; plies to the questionnaire tions of our world, we un- sharing the Gospel, and ask you: derstand that the chal- re-reading the Rule; pray- • a. what reactions do lenge we have before us is ing to and praising God the realities of the to go to the essential: to “for all his gifts”; Order, which emerge share on a more celebrating fraternal com- from the life of the profoundly human and munion; returning to our “Under Tens”, arouse Christian level. That which brothers of the fraternity in you? we must put into practice and to our brothers and • b. which elements in all our Provinces, sisters of the entire world are indispensable to Conferences and also on with the Good News which respond to frailties the level of the Order it- has transformed our and to pass from the self, is the same methodol- lives” ( LSR 44-45). good to the better ? ogy as the story of Em- But “to interpret • c. what common maus: The disciples, who life, however, closeness to lines of action can be started off being mendi- reality is not sufficient; it offered to the Under cants of meaning, broke is necessary to look on Tens to elaborate a their silence in order to reality with eyes of faith, project to be made establish dialogue. They that is to say, to live it on concrete in the differ- learned to interpret their the basis of a profound ent regions and Con- life and experience in the relationship with God and ferences? light of the Scriptures at with his Word in tangible We therefore ask the very time that the Lord communion with the each Delegate, after he enlightened their hearts. Church. Following Ber- has reflected on the data They stopped on their nard, his first companion, from the questionnaire, to journey to ask Jesus to we have again asked Fran- listen to the Gospel and remain with them. In His cis during this chapter: meditate on the excerpt of mercy, He entered into “What would be the best Luke 24, 13-35. It would their place of encounter thing to do?” and he has be good for all the Friars and stayed with them. repeated: “Let us go into Under Ten of your Entities

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 23

to carry out both the re- der, involved and placing gress of each Friar to the reading of the data and ourselves in an attitude of maternal intercession of the meditation on the Gos- listening to the only Word Mary, the Lady of listen- pel during a common which can give us life. Let ing, the Virgin made gathering. If this is not us pray for each other and Church, so that she may possible, sent them the let us feel responsible for help us to make our life a material and ask them to the good success of this place of reception for the do it personally. The im- event of grace. Word of God and that He portant thing is that these may really take up His steps in the preparation We entrust the pro- abode in each one of us. for the Chapter of Mats would see everyone, all of May the Lord give you peace! us young Friars of the Or- The Friars of the Commission NAMES OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE ON MISSION IN 2006

1. Fr. Elie Koma Burundi S.J. Jesuit Bujumbura (Burundi) – 4/2 2. Rev Andrea Santoro Italy Fidei Donum Trabzon (Turkey) – 5/2 3. Fr. José Alfonso Moreira Portugal C.S.Sp. Spiritan Bailundo (Angola) – 9/2 4. Rev Michael Gajere Nigeria Diocesan Maiduguri (Nigeria) – 18/2 5. Sr M.Yermine Yamlean Indonesia Daughters of Our Lady Ambon (Indonesia) – 10/3 of the Sacred Heart 6. Rev Eusebio Ferrao India Diocesan Goa (India) – 17/3 7. Mgr. Bruno Baldacci Italia Fidei Donum Vitória da C. (Brazil) – 30/3 8. Rev Luis Montenegro Argentina Diocesan Cordoba (Argentina) – 12/4 9. Sr Karen Klimczak USA Sisters of St Joseph of Buffalo (USA) – 14/4 Buffalo 10. Rev Galgalo Boru Kenya Diocesan Lososia (Kenya) – April 11. Rev Jorge Piñango Mas- Venezuela Diocesan Caracas (Venezuela) - 24/4 careño 12. Rev Josè Carlos Cearense Brazil Diocesan Delta (Brazil) – 8/5 13. Rev Jude Kimeli Kibor Kenya Diocesan Eldoret (Kenya) – 11/5 14. Friar Luis Herrera Moreno Colombia OFM Friars Minor Bonda (Colombia) – 28/6 15. Rev John Mutiso Kivaya Kenya Diocesan Tala (Kenya) – 31/7 16. Rev Chidi Okorie Nigeria Diocesan Afikpo (Nigeria) – 4/8 17 Brother Augustine Taiwa P.N. Guinea St John of God Brothers Port Moresby (P.N.G) – 28/8 18 Sr Leonella Sgorbati Italy ISMC Consolata Mis- () – 17/9 sionaries 19 Rev Ricardo Antonio Ro- El Salvador Diocesan Acajutia (El Salvador) – 25/9 mero 20 Rev Pascal Koné Naougnon Peru Diocesan Divo (Cote d’Ivoire) – 31/10 21. Fr Waldyr dos Santos Brazil S.J. Jesuit Angonia (Mozambique) – 6/11 22. Ms Idalina Neto Gomes Portugal Lay missionary Angonia (Mozambique) – 6/11 23 Mr Fernandez India Layman Chennai (India) – 26/11 (Guatemala) – 8/12 Friar Luis Alfonso Herrera Moreno, Franciscan (OFM) Colombian aged 46, stoned to death in a place called Bonda, Colombia. Friar Moreno was bursar at San Luis Beltran College, run by the Franciscan community of Santa Marta. On 28 June he went by car to do some errands. The next day he was found dead. The police suspect he was killed by robbers.

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 24 informazzjoni

Chapter of Mats for the young Friars -

Joseph Magro, OFM and Lorrie Zerafa, OFM are going to participate at the Chapter of Mats for the young friars of the Order, which is going to be held between 1st and the 8th July, 2007 in the Holy Land. Programme the place by Fra. Frederic Manns, OFM

Arrive at Jerusalem, the Convent of the July 6– Friday. The way to Jerusalem. Holy Savior. At 16:00 leave for Nazareth The passion of the Lord.

• Move to Jerusalem. July 1– Sunday. Nazareth. The mystery Presentation and Message of the of the Incarnation place by Fra Frederic Manns, OFM • Introduction of the friars Baptismal liturgy at the participant River Beginning Eucharist presided by Eucharist at Getsemani the Minister General, Fra. José Solemn entrance into the Holy Rodríguez Carballo. Sepulcher Message about the place by Fra. Way of the Cross with the friars of Frederic Manns, OFM the Concert in the evening

July 7– Saturday. Jerusalem. The Lord July 2– Monday. Nazareth. The Order has risen! today • Eucharist at the Holy Sepulcher, • Talk by the Minister General presided by the of the Holy Work and Sharing Land, Fra Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Festive evening and cultural Talk by Fra Massimo Fusarelli, sharing by the delegates Secretary General of Formation

and Studies: on the Road to the July 3– Tuesday. Nazareth. The Gospel, Future. Rule of life. Work, sharing, dialogue • Talk The Gospel, Rule and Life by Dialogue with the Custos Fra. Lino Cignelli, OFM Festive evenign with cultural Work, group, sharing and dialogue presentations In the evening, Rosary with torches

in the piazza of the Basilica July 8– Sunday. Betlehem. Let’s begin

brothers. Synthesis. July 4– Wednesday. Galilee. Vocation • Day at Betlehem. and mission Presentation and message of the • Visit to Cafarnaum and Tabga place: Fra Frederic Manns OFM. Message and presentation of the Working towards synthesis and place by Fra. Stanislaus Loffreda, conclusions. Message from the OFM capitulars to te whole Order.

CONCLUDING EUCHARIST. The July 5– Thursday. Mt. Tabor. Being Minster General presides. transfigured by listening to the Word Renewal of profession • A day of Lectio Divina on Mt. Festive supper at Ain Karen Tabor. Presentation and message of L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 25

Mid-Definitorju Provin ëjali

Fil-laqg ħa tad-Definitorju Provin ëjali, li saret l-Erbg ħa, 30 ta’ Mejju 2007, fil-kunvent tal-Ħamrun, id-Definitorju laqa’ t-talba ta’ Stephen Magro, OFM biex minn Ottubru li āej jibda l-istudji tieg ħu g ħas-sa ëerdozju minis- terjali. Huwa se jag ħmel l-istudji me ħtie āa fis-Seminarju ta’ G ħawdex u għalhekk se jing ħaqad mal-fraternita’ ta’ G ħawdex.

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 26

1 Jum 0700 – 7.45 – Tif ħir ta’ Irtir Fran āiskan Sbi ħ il-Jum u Uffi ëë ju tal-Qari b’mument ta’ Meditazzjoni 0900 – 1000 - Quddies u Kant. Il-Kant li jifta ħ qalbna Bil-qawwa għal dak kollu li jrid imisna bih l-Ispirtu ta’ Qaddis. 1000 - 1030 – Break 1030 – 11.15 - Kelmtejn l-Ispirtu ta’ introduzzjoni u sharing in āeddu l- Porz iuncola Retreat House, B ħ Alla ma jisforzax lilu nnif- a ar ië -êagħ aq 3 - su fuqna. Dejjem i ħallina weg ħdiet 7 ta’ Settembru liberi. Ji ābidna lejH imma jistenna lilna biex induru lejH. Meta naslu biex nlissnu «Abba Missier» qawwa tieg ħU kollha, li irwol li l-Ispirtu kellu fil- ikun l-Ispirtu nnifsu li mit-traduzzjoni Griega tal- ħajja ta’ Āesu’. Huwa ëar jg ħati xhieda flimkien ma’ kelma Spirtu Santu – mill-Iskrittura li l-ħajja l-ispirtu tag ħna li a ħna Dunamis, (li tfisser dina- pubblika ta’ Āesu’ bdiet wlied Alla, u «jekk a ħna mite) g ħandna ħjiel ta’ biss wara li l-Ispirtu s- wlied, a ħna wkoll werrieta, x’nir ëievu meta ninfet ħu Santu ni Ŝel fuqU fil- werrieta ta’ Alla, werrieta għall-Ispirtu. U jekk Āe- mag ħmudija tieg ħU « Āesu ma’ Kristu» (Rum. 8, 14- su’ f’ Āwanni 7,37 jistedin- mimli bl-Ispirtu s-Santu 17). U g ħalhekk huwa biss na « Min jie ħdu l-għatx, re āa lura mill-Āordan, u meta nir ëievu l-Ispirtu s- ji āi g ħandi u jixrob» u kien imexxi mill-Ispirtu» Santu b ħala l-forza li jkompli «min jemmen fija (Luqa 4,1). Infatti naraw li tg ħati l-ħajja lill-ispirtu minnu jo ħor āu xmajjar ta’ l-Ispirtu ħa lil Āesu’ fid- tag ħna, li nkunu nistg ħu ilma ħaj» Kif tkellimna l- de Ŝert g ħall-erbg ħin āur- nag ħrfu lil Āesu b ħala Iskrittura dan Āesu’ qalu nata ta’ tentazzjoni. Mulej, Salvatur u iben Al- «g ħall-Ispirtu li kellhom Nindunaw f’dan il- la. Ħadd ma jista’ jg ħid li jir ëievu.». kuntest li meta nintlew bl- «Āesu Hu l-Mulej» jekk U hekk kif ninfet ħu Ispirtu insibu ru ħna mhux permezz ta’ l-Ispirtu għall-Ispirtu s-Santu, attakati u ji āuna tentazz- (1 Kor 12, 13). naraw li nibdew ng ħatu jonijiet li qatt ma esperjen- Huwa l-Ispirtu li ji āi bil- aktar attenzjoni g ħall- zajna qabel. G ħalhekk isir

informazzjoni

• Joseph Ciappara, OFM u Walter Vassallo, OFM idde ëidew li jibdew l-istudji g ħas-sa ëerdo Ŝju ministerjali minn din is-sena. L-istudji se jag ħmluhom fl-Universita’ ta’ Malta.

• Ħajr lil Fr. Emidio Cremona, li offra $300 g ħall-ispejje Ŝ ta’ L- AĦBAR. Nirringrazzjawh.

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 27

kwa Ŝi perikolu Ŝ li wara li na ëë ettaw lil- fejn se jasal l-kliem li se jintqal u Ispirtu fina jg ħaddi Ŝ-Ŝmien u ninsew jitwassal lilkom matul dawn il-ftit jiem. minn min qed titmexxa ħajjitna u ma Hawnhekk fejn issir stedina formali nibqg ħux ng ħixu b’im ħabba ta’ l- minn Alla lilkom, fejn permezz ta’ ti ādid ubbidjenza lejn Āesu’ u dak kollu li tfis- ta’ l-Ispirtu s-Santu fl-għeruq tal-ħajja ser li ng ħixu fl-isfera tieg ħU. Minflok tag ħkom in-nar li ni Ŝel mis-sema fuq l- ninfet ħu g ħar-rieda t’Alla, naddottaw ir- appostli jer āa jmiss b’mod radikali l- rieda tag ħna b ħal dik li tmexxiena. ħajja ta’ kull wie ħed minnkom. U fejn il- U hawn fejn il-frott ta’ l-Ispirtu frott u d-doni ta’ l-Ispirtu s-Santu jsibu hekk kif miktub f’Galatin 5, 22-23, l- ħamrija fejn «jisplodu» u jdawwlu u im ħabba, l-hena, is-sliem, is-sabar, il- jimlew ħajjitkom b’abbundanza u per- ħniena, it-tjieba, il-fidi, il-ħlewwa, r- mezz tag ħkom il-ħajja ta’ dawk kollha li ra Ŝan, nitilfu s-sens tag ħhom u nkunu Alla jg ħoābu jibg ħat fi triqatkom. vulnerabbli aktar g ħal dak li joffri āisim- Qieg ħed wara l-bieb i ħabbat… na. Barra minn hekk, qatt ma nkunu jistenna lilkom biex jid ħol… nistg ħu ner āgħu nesperjenzaw id-doni, jew ministeri mg ħotija lilna b ħala Knisja 1130 – 1230: E Ŝekjiel 36, 26 permezz ta’ Pentecoste, doni li P. Ng ħatikom qalb ādida u ru ħ ādida Raniero Cantalamessa jsej ħilhom l- nqieg ħed āo fikom; u nne ħħ i minn āisim- ener āija nuklejari tal-Knisja. kom il-qalb tal-āebel u nag ħtikom qalb Mela jekk qed nitkellmu fuqU, dak tal-la ħam flokha. li fl-essenza tieg ħu skond il-kelma 1230 – 1330: Lunch Griega huwa –dinaminte, u fl-Atti 1330 – 15.30: ħin ta’ mistrie ħ u talb narawH li jasal fuq l-appostli b ħala nar – individwali/Tea – Coffee break nar qaddis mill-āenna ng ħid jien, 1600 – 1700: Adorazzjoni - kant u talb għaliex ħafna ħin dak kollu li g ħandu ta’ ringrazzjament ji āi trasmess permezz tag ħna ndividwal- 1715 – 1815: Li ng ħixu f’ Āesu’ hu li ment, permezz tag ħna b ħala Knisja, ma ng ħixu skond l-Ispirtu tieg ħu jin ħasx – ma jidhirx. Kol 1, 13 – 14 - ħelisna mill-ħakma tad- Nistg ħu a ħna li rridu nwasslu lil dlam u da ħħ alna fis-saltna ta’ Ibnu Āesu’ lill-ħaddie ħor u a ħna li g ħandna l-ma ħbub, li bih g ħandna l-fidwa, aëë ess biss lejn il-Missier permezz ta’ l- l-ma ħfra tad-dnubiet. Ispirtu ma nfittxux li ni āā eddu fl- 1900 – 1930: Għasar Ispirtu? Āesu’ kien kwa Ŝi kategoriku meta jkellem lil Nikodemu «tassew 2 Jum ng ħidlek li jekk wie ħed ma jitwelidx mill- ādid, ma jistax jara s-Saltna ta’ Alla… 0700 – 7.45: Tif ħir ta’ Sbi ħ il-Jum u jekk wie ħed ma jitwelidx mill-ilma u l- Uffi ëë ju tal-Qari b’mument ta’ Ispirtu, ma jistax jid ħol fis-Saltna ta’ Meditazzjoni Alla.» U forsi kien g ħalhekk li Āwanni 0900 – 0930: Ħsieb tal-āurnata Pawlu II g ħamel sej ħa biex it-tlett snin li Qrib il-Mulej lejn kull min isejja ħlu, lejn ppre ëedew il-āubilew ta’ 2000, ji āu kull minn isejja ħlu fil-verita’. Salm 145, dedikati lejn riflessjoni fuq it-tlett persu- 18. ni tat-Trinita’, u l-1998 kienet iddedika- Jekk irridu veru nsiru nafu lil xi ħadd ta li lill-Ispirtu is-Santu. P. Raniero irridu ng ħaddu aktar ħin mieg ħu. It-talb Cantalamessa jg ħidilna li l-Ispirtu s- huwa dak li jwassalna f’laqg ħa mal- Santu huwa l-ispazju spiritwali, l- Mulej. Talb li mhux mimli bina, imma ambjent li jg ħati l-ħajja, fejn a ħna mimli bix-xenqa tag ħna g ħal dak li jrid nistg ħu nsibu u niltaqg ħu ma’ Alla l- Hu. It-talb komunitarju huwa essenzjali Missier u Āesu’ l-Iben. għall-Knisja, imma fit-talb individwali l- U minn hawn hemm b Ŝonn li Ispirtu jag ħmel ħwejje ā kbar u mhux nitilqg ħu - Fi tfittxija u ftu ħ fl-ispirtu kalkolabli b’g ħajnejn umani…. tag ħna li jin Ŝel ferm aktar fil-fond minn 0930 – 1030: Quddies u kant/adorazz-

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 28

joni individwali/Tea – Coffee break 1030 – 1100: Break 1600 – 17.00: Adorazzjoni/kant u talb 1130 – 1230: L-im ħabba tal-Missier ta’ ringrazzjament La tib Ŝax, g ħax jien fdejtek: jien sejja ħt- 1715 – 1815: Għaliex Ŝew ā rakkonti ta’ lek b’ismek: inti tieg ħi. Is. 43,1 Pentekoste fit-Testment l-ādid: Dak ir- 1230 – 1330: Ikel rakkontat minn Luqa f’Att 2, u hekk kif 1330 – 15.30: Ħin ta’ mistrie ħ u talb deskritt minn Āwanni 20, 22. “ Hudu l- individwali/Tea – Coffee break Ispirtu s-Santu”. 1600 – 1630: Talb u Kant flimkien 1900 – 1930: Għasar 1630 - 1730 : L-im ħabba ta’ Āesu’ Kif ħabbni Missieri, hekk ħabbejtkom 4 Jum jiena. Ibqg ħu fl-im ħabba tieg ħi. Gw 15, 9 1730 - 1830: Ħin ta’ sharing 0700 – 7.45: Tif ħir ta’ Sbi ħ il-Jum u 1900 – 1930: Għasar Uffi ëë ju tal-Qari b’mument ta’ Meditazzjoni 3 Jum 0900 – 0930: Ħsieb tal-āurnata Ejja Spirtu is-Santu, ejja… 0700 – 7.45: Tif ħir ta’ Sbi ħ il-Jum u L-aktar kundizzjoni mportanti biex nir- Uffi ëë ju tal-Qari b’mument ta’ ëievu l-Ispirtu s-Santu mhiex il-merti u Meditazzjoni l-virtujiet tag ħna. Imma hija x-xenqa, 0900 – 0930: Ħsieb tal-āurnata: Imma bŜonn vitali, g ħatx…. “ Min jie ħdu l-għatx, meta ji āi fuqkom l-Ispirtu s-Santu, intom ji āi g ħandi u jixrob….dan qalu g ħall l- tir ëievu l-qawwa u tkunu xhieda tieg ħi. Ispirtu li kellhom jir ëievu…Gw 7, 39 Att 1, 8 Hawn tin ħass kemm wie ħed g ħandu Il-Mulej ma jridx li na ħsbu biss fuq l- jixtieq li jag ħmel tieg ħu il-kliem ta’ s- im ħabba li j ħobbna, u li nkunu nafu salm 63… Lilek ħerqan infittex… Ru ħi dwar il-qdusija tieg ħu. Irid li anke llum, bil-għatx g ħalik… G ħalik imxennaq bħall-ewwel dixxipli f’Pentekoste a ħna jiena, b ħal art niexfa, ma ħruqa, bla jkollna esperjenza. Jixtieq li jiltaqa’ ilma… mieg ħek b’mod ādid u qawwi biex int 0930 – 1030: Quddies u kant b’sej ħa tag ħraf b’mod tan āibli li Hu vi ëin. għall-ti ādid fl-Ispirtu Ovvjament a ħna kollha nies differenti, u 1030 – 1100: Break l-esperjenza mhux l-istess g ħal kul ħadd. 1130 – 1230: Rum 8, 11 Imma dik l-esperjenza li jrid mag ħna, Jekk l-Ispirtu ta’ dak li qajjem lil Āesu’ hija relazzjoni ādida, grazzja mill-imwiet jg ħammar fikom, Alla stess li għal xenqa akbar biex nitolbu u qajjem lil Kristu mill-imwiet iqajjem g ħall- nfa ħħ ruH u xenqa g ħal ti ādid f’dak ħajja wkoll il-āisem mejjet tag ħkom, bis- kollu li nag ħmlu – nibdew nag ħmluh sa ħħ a ta’ l-Ispirtu li jg ħammar fikom. għaliH, g ħal Glorja tieg ħu… 1230 – 1330: Ikel 0930 – 1015: Quddies u kant/ 1330 – 15.30: Ħin ta’ mistrie ħ u talb adorazzjoni individwali/Tea – Coffee break 1015 – 1045: Break 1600 – 1700: Talb u kant flimkien 10.45 – 11.30: Kant u adorazzjoni minn 1700 - 1730: Break laj ëi b’iffukar fuq talb g ħat-ti ādid ta’ l- 1730 - 1830: Lectio Divina fuq Gw 3, Ispirtu, b’talk u esperjenza minn 3-8 individwu fuq id-differenza ta’ l-Ispirtu 1900 – 1930: Għasar fil-ħajja tieg ħu jew tag ħha. 5 Jum 1130 – 1230: Atti 2, 3- 4 U dehrulhom ilsna qishom tan-nar, li 0700 – 7.45: Tif ħir ta’ Sbi ħ il-Jum u tqassmu u qag ħdu fuq kull wie ħed minn- Uffi ëë ju tal-Qari b’mument ta’ hom. Mtlew ilkoll bl-Ispirtu s-Santu… Meditazzjoni 1230 – 1330: Lunch 0900 – 1000: Ħsieb tal-āurnata 1 Cor 12, 1330 – 15.30: Ħin ta’ mistrie ħ u talb L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 29

4-6 L-Ispirtu s-Santu g ħadu jfawwar il-

Knisja bid-doni. Ħadd ma jir ëievi d-don Għada it-Tnejn, 4 ta’ Āunju, ta’ l-Ispirtu g ħalih innifsu g ħax l-Ispirtu jing ħata g ħal bini tal-Knisja li hija l-āisem ta’ Kristu. Ħin ta’ sharing…. Mons. Sylvester Magro, OFM Vigarju Āenerali ta’ Benghazi u 1000 – 1030: Break Mons. Giovanni Martinelli, OFM, 1100 – 1130: Kant u talb u g ħat-ti ādid Vigarju Āenerali ta’ Tripli se fl-Ispirtu u ringrazzjament jag ħmlu Vista Apostolorum 1130 – 1230: Quddies lill-Qdusija Tieg ħu 1230 – 1330: Ikel l-Papa Benedittu XVI. 1330 – 15.30: Ħin ta’ mistrie ħ u talb Rapport s ħiħ kif ukoll ritratti individwali/Tea – Coffee break se jkunu ppublikati fil-ħarga li 1600 – 1700: Talb u kant flimkien – jmiss ta’ L-AĦBAR Ti ādid tal-Professjoni

Il-Vigarju Āenerali ta’ l-Ordni, Fra Francesco Bravi, OFM, kiteb ittra ta’ ubbidjenza (22.05.07), fejn f’isem il-Ministru Āeneral wera l- apprezzament lill-Provin ëja biex Fra Sandro Overend, OFM jing ħaqad mal-fraternita’ tal- Palestrina, fraternita’ li se tkun tiddependi mill-Ministru Āeneral tal-Ordni. Dan hu pro āett ādid li l-Ordni qed iwettaq. Ara L-AĦBAR ta’ Frar.

Irtir Inter-Fran āiskan

Porziuncola Retreat House, Ba ħar i ë-êag ħaq

It-Tnejn sal-Āimg ħa, 5 - 9 ta’ Settembru, 2007

P. Michael Camilleri, O.P.

Sorijiet Fran āiskani Missjunarji ta’ Marija imutu f’a ëë identi tat-traffiku

Fil-jiem li g ħaddew diversi sorijiet fran āiskani Missjunarji ta’ Marija (FMM) korrew u o ħrajn mietu f’a ëë identi tat-traffiku: • Kanada: Soru tmut u tnejn o ħra korrew serjament. • Indja: Erba’ sorijiet imutu. Tnejn mietu fuq il-post u tnejn o ħra mietu l-isptar.

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 30

Esperjenza Fran āiskana f’Assisi

Minn nhar it-Tnejn 30 ta’ Lulju sa’ 7 ta’ flimkien ma’ a ħwa u mijiet o ħra ta’ Awissu 2007, Fra Joseph Magro, OFM, pellegrini biex ji ëë elebraw il-festa ta’ Sidtna Animatur Vokazzjonali u Fra Stephen Marija, Sultana tal-An āli u Omm il-ma ħfra, Magro, OFM, Mastru flimkien mal-istudenti il-festa tal-Porziuncola. Fra Walter Vassallo, ofm, Fra Joseph Wara din il-āimg ħa flimkien, l- Ciappara, OFM u l-postulanti Joseph Cilia u istudenti Walter u Joseph, ser jibqg ħu ftit Aaron Abdilla, sejrin Assisi. Mag ħhom ser jiem o ħra f’ Assisi mhux biss biex jer āgħu jing ħaqdu Ŝew ā ŜgħaŜag ħ li qed jag ħmlu jiltaqg ħu mas-sħabhom tan-novizzjat imma dixxerniment vokazzjonali, Clint Micallef wkoll biex jag ħmlu l-irtir tas-sena fuq is- minn San Āwann u Andrea Diacono minn sej ħa sa ëerdotali b ħala g ħeluq tas-sena Ħal-Balzan. L-iskop ta’ din i Ŝ-Ŝjara hu, li fran āiskana u qabel jer āgħu jibdew l-istudji mhux biss i Ŝuru l-postijiet qaddisa marbuta fl-Universita’ ta’ Malta. Dan ser jitmexxa mal-ħajja ta’ San Fran āisk u Santa Klara, minn Fra Luke, Olandi Ŝ. li g ħal dawn l- imma b ħala grupp wie ħed jag ħmlu aħħ ar snin jiforma parti mil-fraternita’ ta’ esperjenza ta’ talb flimkien fil-kunvent ta’ San Damjan. Fr. Luke, kien g ħamel anke l- San Damjan. irtir ta’ qabel il-professjoni solenni lil Fra F’dan is-santwarju, l-istudenti g ħamlu Pierre Farrugia, OFM. s-sena tan-novizzjat u huma (il-grupp) ser F’dan l-istess Ŝmien numru kbir ta’ ikunu milqug ħa minn din il-fraternita’ ta’ ŜgħaŜag ħ mill-Ewropa kollha ser ikunu formazzjoni. Ser tkun anke okka Ŝjoni biex i Ŝ- Assisi fuq il-passi ta’ Frangisku. Ŝew ā postulanti jaraw minn qabel l-ambjent Dawn l-esperjenzi f’Assisi, huma ta’ li fih qed isir in-novizzjat u anki jiltaqg ħu nvestiment li l-Kunsill tal-Formazzjoni u l- mal-aħwa tal-Provin ëja Serafika li din is- Provin ëja qed jag ħmlu f’dawn il-kandidati, sena qed jag ħmlu s-sena tal-prova. li huma l-futur tag ħna. Grazzi lill-benefatturi Fl-1 u t-2 ta’ Awissu, jing ħaqdu li jag ħmlu possibli dawn l-esperjenzi.

Ma ħbubin ħuti fi Kristu, Maltin u G ħawdxin, il- pa ëi mag ħkom. San Āor ā Preca hu l-ewwel iben kanonizzat ta’ l-art ħelwa tag ħkom. Hu t-tieni missier tag ħkom fil-fidi wara l-Appostlu San Pawl. Hu jitlob dejjem g ħalikom biex tkunu tassew ħbieb ta’ l-Evan āelju. San Āor ā Preca, itlob g ħalina. , Papa Benedittu XVI, 03.06.07 Messa āā li l-Papa qra ħ bil-Malti ëar ħafna.

KONT TAF LI Fra Gwido Schembri, OFM kien wie ħed mi Ŝ-Ŝew ā studju Ŝi li e Ŝaminaw l-atti kollha tax-xhieda (88 persuna) u li kienu jikkonsistu f’1,578 pagna. Huwa ippre Ŝenta r-rapport po Ŝittiv fil-31 ta’ Āunju 1987. IL-MUMENT, 03.05.07. L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 31

75 Sena tas-Sorijiet Fran āiskani tal-Qalb Bla Tebg ħa ta’ Marija fil-Ħamrun

terina sabet ru ħha f’Malta. Fil-11 ta’ Settembru 1859, waslu Lixandra u fl-14 ta’ l- istess xahar da ħlu fil-Kajr. Kienu l-patrijiet Fran āiskani u n-nies tal-post fosthom il- familja Gatt li laqg ħuhom b’fer ħ kbir. Fl-Eāittu sabu ru ħhom imdawrin b’faqar u mi Ŝerja fejn il-ma āā oranza tan-nies kienu lsiera u s-sinjuri kapi- talisti. Hawn il-Beata Katerina Troiani dde ëidiet li t ħalli l- klawsura u tiddedika ru ħha għall-appostolat. G ħalhekk Nhar is-Sibt, 12 ta’ Mejju ħames klawstrali o ħra, kellha twaqqaf Istitut ādid 2007, Mons. Ar ëisqof ħalliet il-monasteru ta’ awtonomu biex twettaq din Pawlu Cremona, O.P. Ferentino fi ë-êiocaria, l- is-sej ħa t’Alla. mexxa quddiesa Italja t’Isfel u bdiet triqtha Il-Kongregazzjoni l- kon ëelebrata b’radd il- lejn l-Eāittu fejn kellha tkun ādida baqg ħet tikber fl- ħajr lil Alla tal-pre Ŝenza il-missjoni tag ħhom. Eāittu u l-Italja ta’ fuq. I Ŝda tas-Sorijiet Fran āiskani Fi triqthom lejn l-Eāittu tal-Qalb Bla Tebg ħa ta’ ma setg ħet qatt tinsa li l-gŜira Marija (ta’ l-Eāittu) fil- da ħlu fil-port ta Malta u ta’ Malta kienet hemm lesta Ħamrun. G ħal din il- hawn faqqg ħet sajjetta fil- biex tilqa’ b’dirg[ajha miftu- quddiesa ħadu sehem bnazzi. Kien hawn li waslet ħin lis-sorijiet tag ħha wara li wkoll il-Ministru l-aħbar tal-mewt tad-Delegat Mons. Antonio Buhagiar Provin ëjal Fra Paul Appostoliku ta’ l-Eāittu, OFMCap talab il-pre Ŝenza Galea, OFM, il-gwardjan Mons. Guasco li kien tag ħhom. u l-komunita’ tal- għajtilhom biex imorru jift ħu L-ewwel dar f’Malta Ħamrun u diversi patri- monasteru fil-Kajr. kienet f’ ĦaŜ-śabbar u jiet tal-provin ëja u B’kura āā kbir u fehma mbag ħad infet ħet dik tal- sa ëerdoti o ħra. soda Suor M. Caterina qalet Birgu. lil s ħabha dawn il kelmiet Fit-23 ta’ Ottubru 1931, Kien il-ħamsa u “Wasalna sa hawn, ninsabu is-sorijiet bdew l-opra tag ħ- għoxrin ta’ Awissu ta’ 1859, bejn sema u ilma… nibqg ħu hom fi Triq Maitland, il- meta Suor M. Katerina sejrin lejn il-missjoni Ħamrun. Fid-19 ta’ Marzu Troiani, illum “Beata” u tag ħna.” 1935, festa ta’ San ĀuŜepp “Fundatrici” tal- Din kienet l-ewwel u l- da ħlu fil-kunvent il-ādid fejn kongregazzjoni, flimkien ma’ aħħ ar darba li Suor M. Ca- jinsabu llum.

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 32

L-iskola tal-Ħamrun posthom fis-so ëjetà ta’ Ħamrun u re ëentement inbniet wara talba mill- Ŝmienhom u jag ħmlu unur f’Ba ħar i ë-êag ħaq. Fil- ministeru Taljan ta’ l- lil Malta. Ħamrun huma jmexxu affarijiet barranin li kien Attwalment is-sorijiet skola li tilqa’ fiha aktar wieg ħed sussidju kull għandhom Ŝew ā kunventi minn 600 studenta. sena b’ri Ŝq dan l-impenn u qrib il-patrijiet, ji āifieri l- t-tag ħlim li kien me ħtie ā. Meta waslu biex jift ħu l-iskola, il-gvern Ingli Ŝ ma tax il-permess li tinfeta ħ. Dan āara min ħabba s-sitwazjoni politika, anki g ħaliex mal- lingwa Ingli Ŝa u Fran ëiŜa, ħjata, rakkmu, mu Ŝika u pittura kienu sa jg ħallmu wkoll il-lingwa Taljana. Wara ħafna talb u noveni u bil-għajnuna ta’ xi ħbieb, fl-aħħ ar il- permess ing ħata u l-iskola nfet ħet. Naqraw fil-kronaka li f’dan i Ŝ-Ŝmien is-sorijiet kellhom jissellfu xi flus biex jg ħixu. Din il-ārajja li qeg ħdin ifakkru l-Aħwa Sorijiet Fran āiskani tal- Qalb Bla Tebg ħa ta’ Marija, hija tifkira ta’ storja mimlija kura āā u sfidi. Tifkira ta’ dak l- ispirtu missjunarju ta’ l- istess Beata Katerina Troiani li g ħadu ħaj bejn dawn il-ħitan u kull fejn is-sorijiet taw il-ħidma tag ħhom. Tifkira ta’ dak l- ispirtu Fran āiskan fis- sempli ëità tieg ħu, spirtu ta’ sagrif ëë ju u dedikazzjoni. Sal-āurnata tallum, ħafna sorijiet, patrijiet u laj ëi, b’serjetà kbira ddedikaw u qed jiddedikaw ħajjithom għall-edukazjoni kemm nisranija u akkademika ta’ ħafna ŜgħaŜag ħ biex b ħala ëittadini Maltin isibu

L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 33

Is-sbu ħija tal-litur āija

Anton Farru āia, OFM

Introduzzjoni litur āija pontifikali tal- salvazzjoni. Nobilem pulchritudi- Papa Pawlu VI li anke per- Is-sagramenti b ħala nem: is-sbu ħija nobbli li mezz tat-televi Ŝjoni riedet atti tal-Knisja huma atti titkellem dwarha l- tidher b ħala e Ŝempju ta’ ta’ Kristu g ħaliex il-Knisja Kostituzzjoni tal-Kon ëilju kif g ħandu ji ëë elebra kull ma tag ħmel xejn li l-Mulej Vatikan II dwar il- isqof fil-Knisja tieg ħu. Āesù ma qalilix biex tag ħ- Litur āija, huwa motiv Hekk il-Papa beda jidher mel u g ħallimha tag ħmel: tajjeb biex napprofondixxu mhux aktar b ħala xi re Ag ħmlu dan b’tifkira tieg ħi. r-rapport li je Ŝisti bejn is- imma sempli ëement b ħala Is-sagramenti huma l- sbu ħija u l-litur āija. Jekk l-isqof tal-Knisja ta’ Ruma modalità kif Kristu jikko- infatti minn banda r- li tmexxi fl-im ħabba l- munika lilna s-salvazzjoni referiment g ħall-Kon ëilu Knejjes kollha. tieg ħu. Hekk meta l-Knisja Vatikan II huwa ne ëes- tg ħammed, Kristu stess sarju, minn na ħa l-oħra, Is-sbu ħija tal-litur āija ikun qed jg ħammed u l- diskors fuq is-sbu ħija u l- X’ji āifieri jkollok li- Papa San Ljun il-Kbir litur āija, jista’ jsir biss tur āija sabi ħa? Tiggosta l- jg ħid li dak li kien jidher fi b’referiment g ħaë- gosti tal-konsumaturi? Il- Kristu g ħadda fis- ëelebrazzjoni. litur āija mhix konsum, sagramenti tal-Knisja. Min g ħandu ftit ta Ŝ-Ŝmien mhix xi supermarket tal- Il-āesti fil-litur āija jiftakar il-bidliet kbar li Knisja! Il-litur āija hija huma mportanti g ħaliex āabet mag ħha r-riforma qabel xejn opera Dei, huma l-āesti ta’ Āesù. Fi ë- litur āika mitluba mill- għemil ta’Alla li ji āi ëelebrazzjoni litur āika u Kon ëilju Vatikan II. L- mog ħti lilna b’xejn u afdat fil-āesti li l-litur āija ewwel u qabel xejn āew f’idejna biex a ħna tirrikjedi, l-Knisja tag ħmel im āedda l-kotba litur āiëi nfa ħħ ruh, nadurawh u pre Ŝenti l-āesti tal-Mulej b’ Ŝieda kbira ta’ testi bib- rroddulu ħajr. Tajjeb Āesù. F’dan is-sens, il- li ëi u ewkolo āiëi; āew sem- għalhekk nistaqsu āesti litur āiëi huma sbie ħ plifikati r-rubriki u l-āesti, x’inhuma l-kriterji minnhom infushom qabel u l-ispazji ëelebrattivi āew fundamentali tas-sbu ħija dak kollu, sabi ħ jew ikreh determinati a ħjar. Āew fil-litur āija lil hinn mill- li nistg ħu n Ŝidu a ħna! ukoll im āedda l-ilbies, il- gosti u l-moda. Ikun Ŝball Il-Van āeli kant u l-mu Ŝika. kbir li napplikaw g ħall- jippre Ŝentawlna l- Minn litur āija karat- litur āija sempli ëement il- āestwalità konkreta u terizzata minn uniformità, gosti tag ħna. umana ta’ Āesù li jimxi, morna g ħal litur āija aktar Biex nifhmu s- jbierek, imiss, ifejjaq, qrib il-bniedem tal-lum, sbu ħija tal-litur āija rridu jg ħaffe ā fit-tajn, jerfa’ miftu ħa aktar g ħall- nitilqu mill-kun ëett ta’ għajnejh lejn is-sema, addattament u g ħall- Knisja li hija fi Kristu, jaqsam il-ħob Ŝ, jie ħu kulturi diversi li tesprimi sagrament ji āifieri sinjal u f’idejh il-kal ëi bl-inbid… Knisja-Komunjoni li strument ta’ l-għaqda Āesti li l-litur āija tag ħmel tħares lejn id-diversità sħiħa ma’ Alla u tax-xirka tag ħha fi ë-ëelebrazzjoni mhux b ħala element nega- tal-bnedmin kollha. F’dan tas-sagramenti mqaddsa. tiv imma b ħala arrikki- is-sens, il-Knisja b ħala Imma x’jag ħmel sabi ħ il- ment ta’ l-unità. sinjal, tag ħmel possibli li āesti tal-Mulej Āesù? It- Din il-bidla kkarat- b’xi mod nipper ëepixxu lil ti Ŝjin tas-sala? Il-mod ta’ terizzat b’mod specjali l- Kristu b ħala sagrament ta’ kif il-mejda kienet L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 34

ejjija għall-ikla ta’ l-Għid? tikkaraterizza l-bini tal- Il-moviment ëirkulari li êertament dan kollu knisja b ħala post jikkaratterizza Ŝ-Ŝmien jag ħmel sabi ħ imma s- imdawwal, spazju ta’ tas-sena litur āika jindika sbu ħija vera hija l-āest ta’ ħelsien u mhux ta’ bi Ŝa, l-progress fi Ŝ-Ŝmien. Fil- l-im ħabba salvifika ta’ ta’ simpatija aktar milli ta’ fatt dan i Ŝ-Ŝmien jag ħtina Kristu g ħad-dixxipli tieg ħu kontra posizzjoni, spazju l-possibiltà li nikkonvertu. li ħabbhom g ħall-aħħ ar. ta’ kondivi Ŝjoni u Imma fil-litur āija l-ispazju Il-Knisja hija u tir- solidarjetà, spe ëjalment u Ŝ-Ŝmien huma su āā etti repeti kull āest li g ħamel ma’ l-ifqar fost il-fqar. Din għall-ordni . Il-litur āija il-Mulej Āesù, ssibu sabi ħ is-sbu ħija trid tidher fi ë- minn natura tag ħha stess għax fih tag ħraf il-āest ta’ ëelebrazzjoni tal-litur āija, tesi āi ordni. Infatti ma l-im ħabba tieg ħu g ħalina. fl-ispazji ëelebrativi tag ħha te Ŝistix ëelebrazzjoni Is-sens tas-sbu ħija fil- imma l-aktar fil-persuni, l- litur āika ming ħajr rubriki litur āija qabel ma jidde- āebel ħaj li jag ħmel il- li huma indikazzjonijiet li pendi mill-arti, jiddependi Knisja. l-Knisja tag ħti, kif jixhdu mill-im ħabba tal-misteru l-eqdem kotba litur āiëi, ta’ l-Għid. F’dan is-sens, l- Āest, kelma, Ŝmien, għal ëelebrazzjoni sabi ħa. arti g ħandha b Ŝonn tkun spazju u ordni Is-sbu ħija tal-litur āija hija evan āelizzata mill- Jekk il-qdusija hija frott ukoll ta’ l-ordni. im ħabba. êelebrazzjoni sbu ħija fiha nnifisha, l- Għalhekk il-kotba litur āiëi sabi ħa ma tiddependix litur āija b ħala azzjoni hija jibdew dejjem bil-kelma biss mill-arkittettura, mit- l-għemil qaddis tal-Knisja “ordo”. L-ordni mitluba ti Ŝjin, mill-kant, mill-ilbies u fiha ta’ kull nisrani, mill-litur āija tirrigwarda imma minn kemm tkun għemil sabi ħ li jsir āest, realtajiet differenti; mhux kapa ëi tidher b ħala āest kelma, Ŝmien, spazju u biss i Ŝ-Ŝmien u l-ispazju ta’ m ħabba li g ħamel ordni. imma anke ir-relazzjonijiet Āesù. Dan hu l- Fil-litur āija, kull āest mal-persuni. Il-litur āija kmandament li r ëevejna huwa dejjem akkumpanjat titlob ordni fina nfusna ming ħandu kif jistqarr l- mill-kelma. Kif jg ħid il- wkoll! Appostlu Misserna San Kon ëilju, kollox ji Ŝvol āi Erbg ħin sena wara r- Pawl: Jien ir ëevejt ru ħu “per ritus et preces”, riforma litur āika mitluba ming ħand il-Mulej, it- riti u talbiet imdawwla u mill-Kon ëilju Vatikan II, tag ħlim li g ħaddejt lilkom… mog ħtija l-ħajja mill- tajjeb li nistaqsu lilna Il-“mandatum Kelma. Madankollu l- nfusna kemm ir-riti u l- eucharisticum” ta’ Kristu kliem u l-āesti, flimkien āesti li nirreptu a ħna jfakkarna li l-litur āija hija għandhom b Ŝonn ta Ŝ- huma tassew il-āesti ta’ l-post privile āā at g ħall- Ŝmien u ta’ l-ispazju. Il- Kristu. Il-litur āija li qed qdusija tag ħna lkoll, Verb mag ħmul bniedem ni ëë elebraw hija spazju kemm b ħala individwi kif kellu b Ŝonn ta’ Ŝmien u mog ħti lil Kristu jew lilna ukoll b ħala komunità. spazju ukoll g ħall-āesti nfusna? I Ŝ-Ŝmien litur āiku Dan g ħaliex il-qdusija tieg ħu ta’ salvazzjoni. huwa Ŝmien li fih Kristu anke fid-dimensjoni etika F’dan is-sens, il-litur āija juri ru ħu jew Ŝmien vojt? tag ħha m’g ħandiex hija l-ispazju li g ħandu Il-litur āija tag ħna karattru legali imma bŜonn Kristu biex esprima minbarra ordni fi ë- ewkaristiku. Hija risposta ru ħu u Ŝ-Ŝmien biex ëelebrazzjoni hija g ħajn ta’ għal “charis” ta’ Alla jirrakonta lilu nnifsu. ordni fir-rapporti tag ħna manifestata fi Kristu u Fil-kotba litur āiëi ma’ l-oħrajn? mmarkata mis-sens ta’ nsibu ta’ spiss l- Dawn il-mistoqsijiet gratitudini u fer ħ. Minn espressjoni “per anni jg ħinuna nifmhu l-essenza hawn ir-rabta profonda li circulum” li tindika illi l- tal-litur āija imma hemm bejn il-litur āija, l- opra tas-salvazzjoni ta’ ni ëë araw ukoll is-sens tal- qdusija u s-sbu ħija. Kristu hija ëelebrazzjoni parte ëipazzjoni attiva li Sbu ħija li trid mill-Knisja matul is-sena.

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tant insista fuqha l- knejjes katedrali u dawk mhuwiex fl-ispazju tal- Kon ëilju. kolle āā jali. presbiterju, fid-dehra Ma’ dawn rridu n Ŝidu tieg ħu jrid esprimi l-āuf L-ispazji celebrativi anke spazju li kull knisja tal-Knisja, li fiha kull Għedna li l-litur āija għadu jkollha g ħal nisrani jitwieled mill-ādid għandha b Ŝonn ta’ spazju. ëelebrazzjoni dinjitu Ŝa tas- fl-ilma u fl-Ispirtu s- Xhieda ta’ dan il-bŜonn ta’ sagrament tal-ma ħfra. Santu, huwa u jmut ma’ spazju huma s-sinagogi Biex tkun tidher ir-rabta li Kristu biex iqum mieg ħu tal-lhud li āew mibdula fi hemm bejn is-sagrament għall-ħajja ādida. knejjes insara, l-knejjes tal-qrar u dak tal- Hekk ukoll l-ambone, tas-Sirja, l-ba Ŝili ëi mibnija mag ħmudija, fl-istess mŜejjen bil-weraq u l-fjuri, mill-Imperatur struttura tal-knisja, tista’ huwa sinjal tal-qabar vojt, Kostantinu, l-knejjes ti āi studjata l-possibilità li jrid ifakkar lin-nisrani ba Ŝilikali ta’ Ruma, l- ta’ kappella laterali o ħra, li fit-tħabbira tal-misteru knejjes goti ëi u barokki. tkun ti ābor fiha kemm il- tal-mewt u l-qawmien ta’ Dawn kollha juruna li fonti tal-mag ħmudija bir- Kristu u jg ħinu jimmatura mill-eqdem Ŝminijiet tal- riserva g ħaŜ-Ŝjut fil-fidi permezz tas-smig ħ Kristjane Ŝmu sal-lum l- imqaddsa kif ukoll il- attent tal-Kelma ta’ Alla, li ispazju litur āiku dejjem konfessjonarji g ħall-qrar. hija t ħabbira dejjiema tal- kien importanti g ħall- Tajjeb li n Ŝommu misteru ta’ l-Għid. komunitajiet insara. f’mo ħħ na li dawn l-ispazji L-altar li fuqu Sfortunatament il-knejjes li semmejna mhumiex biss ji āā edded is-sagrifi ëë ju tal-lum qed jinbnew minn xi ħaāa tal-bŜonn li titlob tas-salib, huwa l-mejda nies li fil-litur āija jifhmu ië-ëelebrazzjoni fejn in-nisrani jg ħix l- ftit li xejn bil-konsegwenza komunitarja tal-litur āija għaqda tieg ħu ma’ Kristu gravi li tinbet fihom malli mqaddsa, imma u ma’ l-aħwa, fi ë- ti āi biex ti ëë elebra fihom manifestazzjoni tal-Knisja ëelebrazzjoni ta’ l-ikla il-misteri qaddisa. nnifisha, xbihat ta’ l-istess mqaddsa. Dawn l-elementi Il-litur āija nfatti te ħtie ā identità tag ħna nisranija. ta ë-ëelebrazzjoni tal- post fejn tiltaqa’ l- Fil-fatt il-litur āija tissoponi misteri qaddisa, huma komunità b ħal ma kien il- kemm is-sa ëerdozju di āa’ ikona fihom portiku tal-knejjes antiki. komuni tal-fidili kif ukoll infushom. G ħaldaqstant Il-litur āija tipprevedi l-istruttura ministerjali li rridu noqg ħodu attenti li l- movimenti pro ëessjonali u Kristu ried fil-Knisja kontribut artistiku ma waqfiet, āewwa u barra l- tieg ħu. jtellifx is-sinjal ori āinali bini tal-knisja b ħal fis- Għalhekk is-sedja tag ħhom, kif sar f’ ëertu sahra tal-lejl qaddis ta’ l- tas-sa ëerdot fil-knisja u altari li saru āodda biex Għid. I ë-ëelebrazzjoni aktar u aktar il-katedra ta’ ma nsemmux l-altari għandha b Ŝonn ta’ l-isqof fil-knisja katedrali, provi Ŝorji fi g ħandna fil- postijiet fissi, anke fl- trid tidher mhux b ħala ma āā oranza tal-knejjes istess struttura ta’ āewwa sempli ëi si āā u biex tag ħna. l-knisja: il-fonti tal- joqg ħod bil-qieg ħda fuqu Elementi importanti mag ħmudija, s-sedja ta ë- imma b ħala l-post minn oħra huma x-xbieha tal- ëelebrant, l-ambone, l- fejn f’isem Kristu, r-ras Kur ëifiss, ħdejn jew fuq l- altar. tal-Knisja li hi l-āisem altar, li g ħandha tkun L-aħjar post g ħar- mistiku tieg ħu, jg ħallem u wa ħda devota u artistika ri Ŝerva ta’ l-Ewkaristija jmexxi lill-komunità kif ukoll il-gandlier g ħall- wara ë-ëelebrazzjoni nisranisja li tin āabar blandun ta’ l-Għid li tag ħha, tibqa’ xi kappella għaë-ëelebrazzjoni tal- għandu jsib postu ħdejn l- laterali, skond it- misteri qaddisa. ambone, anke matul i Ŝ- tradizzjoni antika tal- Minn na ħa l-oħra, l- Ŝmien tas-sena meta il- Knisja li n Ŝammet fil- fonti tal-mag ħmudija li kif blandun mag ħmul mix- tenna s-Sinodu, postu xemg ħa (mhux pipe tal-

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Plastic) ikun qieg ħed Għalhekk il-kotba Konklu Ŝjoni ma āenb il-fonti tal- litur āiëi m āedda wara l- Bdejna billi tajna mag ħmudija. Kon ëilju Vatikan II huma ħarsa ħafifa lejn is- Hemm imbag ħad l- introdotti minn da ħla sagramentalità tal-Knisja Evan āeljarju g ħat- teolo āika-litur āika dwar ir- biex nifhmu l-importanza tħabbira tal-Van āelu rit li trid ti āi studjata minn tal-āesti fil-litur āija u imma anke l-va Ŝi sagri qabel. b’mod partikulari tal-āest bħall-patena jew ië- Tajjeb li wie ħed imur ta’ Alla: Kristu stess li ciborium , il-kal ëi, l-ampolli fuq il-post ta ë- propju fi ë-ëelebrazzjoni għall-ilma u l-inbid kif ëelebrazzjoni minn qabel u litur āika jsir āest tal- ukoll g ħaŜ-Ŝjut imqaddsa, li jni ŜŜ el bil-miktub l- Knisja. Dan il-āest fih il-buqar u l-ba ëir g ħall- affarijiet li jkun hemm innifsu g ħandu s-sbu ħija ħasil ta’ l-idejn u s-saqajn, bŜonn g ħaë-ëelebrazzjoni. tieg ħu mag ħmula minn kollha elementi li fl- L-għaŜla tal-persuni g ħall- sempli ëita’ u m ħabba. għamla tag ħhom ministeri differenti ta ë- Is-sbu ħija tal-litur āija għandhom ikunu artisti ëi ëelebrazzjoni hija mqaddsa hija qabel xejn u sbie ħ bla ma jtellfu xejn importanti u prova is-sbu ħija tas-sempli ëita’ mis-sens ori āinali mag ħhom qabel i ë- u ta’ l-im ħabba tal-āest ta’ tag ħhom. ëelebrazzjoni hija Kristu li trid tidher fis- bŜonju Ŝa. sempli ëita’ tal-āesti tag ħna Il-āmiel tal-ħolqien Tkun ħaāa tajba li fil- u s-sbu ħija propja tas- Il-litur āija tirrikjedi l- ħin qabel ma tibda’ ë- sinjali u ta’ l-elementi tal- kollaborazzjoni tas-sensi ëelebrazzjoni ssir ħolqien li l-litur āija tag ħna, l-vista, s-smig ħ, preparazzjoni mmedjata tqieg ħed f’ordni u ix-xamm, is-sense of permezz ta’ persuna armonija fi Ŝ-Ŝmien u fl- touch. Il-litur āija te ħtie ā il- nkarigata apposta biex ispazju. kontribut tax-xbihat, tal- tiffavorixxi l- Għedna li s-sbu ħija mu Ŝika u l-kant, tad-dawl, parte ëipazzjoni s ħiħa tal- tal-litur āija hija l-ordni li tal-fjuri, tal-kuluri... Il- fidili. din jirnexilha to ħloq litur āija g ħandha b Ŝonn Il-fuljetti bil-qari tal- āewwa fina, fir-rapporti ta’ elementi o ħra tal- Kelma t’Alla, t-talb u l- tag ħna ma’ ħutna, l-ordni ħolqien b ħall-inbid, il- kant jistg ħu jkunu ta’ li l-litur āija jirnexielha ħob Ŝ, l-ilma, Ŝ-Ŝejt, in-nar, għajnuna imma jridu jsiru to ħloq fir-rapport l-irmied... F’dan is-sens il- minn nies kwalifikati u personali tag ħna ma’ Alla. litur āija b ħal tilqa’ fiha l- madankollu qatt ma Fl-istess waqt is-sbu ħija ħolqien kollu u tag ħmel jistg ħu jie ħdu post il- tal-litur āija hija xi ħaāa li tag ħha l-āmiel tieg ħu. kotba litur āiëi veri u lilna tissuperana. Mhiex Dan jg ħinna nifhmu propri. tant dik li ti ābed l- li fil-litur āija mhux il- Il-preparazzjoni attenzjoni, li tidher bniedem wa ħdu jfa ħħ ar lil xjentifika hija mportanti permezz tal-āesti, s-sinjali Alla imma l-ħolqien kollu. kemm fost il-ministri u l-elementi materjali Hawnhekk ta’ min isemmi ordnati kif ukoll fost il- daqskemm dik li ssir l-uŜu tajjeb tal-fjuri li jridu ministri istitwiti jew trasparenti permezz ta’ jŜejnu u mhux inkarigati. Te Ŝisti dan kollu li semmejna. jingumbraw l-ispazji ta ë- injuranza litur āika li āejja F’dan is-sens, il- ëelebrazzjoni. minn nuqqas ta’ tag ħlim u litur āija hija aktar sbu ħija li tirrifleti ru ħha fil-mod trasparenti milli sbu ħija li Il-preparazzjoni ta ë- ta’ kif wie ħed ji ëë elebra u tidher ma’ l-ewwel daqqa ëelebrazzjoni jo ħloq ambjent g ħaë- t’g ħajn. êelebrazzjoni sabie ħa ëelebrazzjoni. Ir-ri Ŝultat Jekk irridu litur āija tiddependi ħafna mill-mod huwa li n-nies jew tispi ëë a tassew sabi ħa rridu ta’ kif tkun āiet tit ħawwad jew titlef kull nħalluha tmexxina bl- ippreparata minn qabel. interess fil-litur āija. ispirtu tag ħha. Is-sbu ħija L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 37

tal-litur āija titlob minn jkellimna permezz tal- Lilu āie ħ u gloria g ħal na ħa tag ħna xi ëaħda. Kelma tieg ħu, tat-talb, tal- dejjem ta’ dejjem. Amen . Irridu ni ëħ du l-banalità, l- āesti, tal-mu Ŝika, tal-kant, fanta Ŝija, l-kapri ëë i tad-dawl u ta’ l-elementi l- 1. Ara Sacrosanctum tag ħna. Barra minn hekk, oħra li semmejna. concilium, 124. il-litur āija rridu nag ħtuha Bħal bi ëë a xog ħol 2. Lumen gentium, 1. 3. Ara Sacrosanctum Ŝ-Ŝmien u l-ispazju li mu Ŝikali, l-litur āija concilum, 7. għandha b Ŝonn. Bil- għandha b Ŝonn ta’ l- 4. Ara Sacrosanctum għaāā la, ma jistax ikollna ispazju, ta Ŝ-Ŝmien, tas- concilum, 7, 21, 24, 48, litur āija sabi ħa! skiet, tad-distakk minn 59. Aktar milli l-inizjattiva nfusna biex il-kliem, il- 5. Ara l-għanja tal-ħolqien tag ħna, l-litur āija hija l- āesti u s-sinjali jkunu ta’ San Fran āisk inizjativa ta’ Alla li jistg ħu jkellmuna fuq Alla. t’Assisi. The Shepherd’s last call Reviewed by Norbert Ellul-Vincenti, OFM

Minn Fomm ir-Raghaj bringing (From the Shepherd’s down di- mouth), 2006, Media viding Centre, 109 pages, ISBN: walls. He 978-99932-49-35-1 knew how to keep This is the eighteenth an- silent and nual collection of the local hold his Bishop’s speeches. Until peace. 1993, selections from the Some speeches were published, people but since 1994, the suc- would cess of the previous issues even say has argued in favour of he kept their complete publication. his peace There are 27 too speeches in the latest edi- much. tion, including the homily But they Archbishop Mercieca would be made at his own valedic- doing him tory Mass (18 January wrong. 2007) and that during the He came Ordination Ceremony of on during his successor, the Domini- a very can Mgr. Paul Cremona tricky (26 January 2007). time of Mgr. Mercieca will go our history and he is, after when necessary, and even down in history as the all, his own man, and to speak out when re- man who knew how to “probably” knows his pros quired. The present collec- pour oil over troubled wa- and cons regarding his tion is a lasting proof of ter by keeping his counsel. personal abilities more his solid teaching. He talked not in terms of than any of us. He cer- Other print proof building bridges but of tainly knew how to act, rests in the previous edi- L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 38

tions of Minn fomm ir- He has words on the family. This book is a wor- Raghaj. A personal ethics of work and con- thy tribute to the glimpse of what made him demnation for violence as Archbishop’s last year in tick can be found in that well as awareness of the office. dignified homily of his difficulties and the need to Production is by me- Last Mass, which must beware of racism and dia Centre, editing by the surely rank as one of the separatism when strang- Public Relations Officer most eye-opening ers land on our shores (Charles Buttigieg), and speeches of an outgoing looking for opportunities copy correction by Can. leader in recorded Maltese they missed at home. Karm Zammit. Stefan Ca- history. There shine his He is shocked by EU chia drew up the index. profound humility, his Parliament’s favouring of The analytical index wisdom, his tact, as well human embryonic stem will help the reader find as his holiness. In asking cell research, re-iterates what he wants if he de- for pardon for possible the Church’s stand on hu- sires to read by subject of shortcomings and in his man life beginning at the interest or if he is looking refusal to brag or make very moment of the pierc- something up. It lists 133 excuses, he bows out in ing of the ovum, and asks different subjects treated the blinding glare of the for care, locally, to safe- by the Archbishop during Good Shepherd’s lantern. guard the dignity of new his last year in the chair. The contents of this progeny. Of excellent quality, book weigh heavily in fa- He talks to the police the photographs that are vour of the family, being about their role, the im- included, while they could assailed massively abroad portance of their forma- have been more of a visual and, by a short-sighted tion, their challenges, and record of the period con- imitation, also at home. the need to examine con- cerned, are restricted, this He talks about the media’s sciences in order to make year, to the Archbishop’s role in defending the fam- sure that their services are thanksgiving Mass and ily and the common good. truly altruistic and in fa- the Ordination of his suc- He talks about the value of vour of the citizen. cessor. charity and the need for Everywhere, the The book can be ob- reconciliation and forgive- Archbishop talks about tained for Lm1 from the ness. peace, unity and the P.R.O. office at the Curia strength and dignity of the in Floriana. HOLY LAND Franciscan Printing Press Moves House

Located for 160 years in one of the courtyards of Saint Saviour’s Monastery at Jerusalem’s New Gate, the Franciscan Printing Press moved to a new location during the course of May, 2007. A business office at Saint Saviour’s will still serve the Press’ clients. It has been established in the small courtyard near the main door on Saint Francis Street, but can also be accessed by entering through the New Gate. The move was necessary because of the renovations being made in view of bringing together all the Custody’s administrative officesThe Press itself is now settled under the wings of the Bethpage convent on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives. Buildings already belonging to the Custody of the Holy Land were restored and adapted for the use of the fifteen Palestinian employees of the Press. New Christian life will be brought to the neighborhood, since the Printing Press is adjacent to Saint Francis Residence, construction on which is almost finished and which will soon house seventy Christian families. This entirely new residence was built by the Custody as part of its work on behalf of the Christians of the Holy Land, and more specifically, its “Homes and Rentals” project that seeks to consolidate the Christian presence around the Holy Places. L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 39

FRATERNITAS

Eng Vol. XXXX. Nr. 132 - OFM Rome - Email: [email protected] - 01. 06. 2007

On the road

All we have to do to catch a glimpse of the future of Franciscanism is to make us present-day look at ourselves in a mirror: Is a constant commitment to the Gospel seen in us? Is gospel audacity perceivable in our lives? Or has the evangelical flame, which was glimpsed in the life of Francis and of many of our brothers during these 800 years of history, been extinguished? What we are now will not be the Franciscanism of the future. If we do not want the soul to dry up or the life to wither during our existence, if we do not wish to live in emptiness and to self-destruct, we have to return to the Gospel. Without commitment to the Word we will not preserve any embers for the future. If we do not give time to submerging ourselves in the Gospel because of the evangelical works we are carrying out, we are changing ourselves and the work we do into a god. If we do not want the next generation to be aborted or to be a still birth, let us return to the Gospel, let us be converted to the Gospel, let us have the audacity to live the Gospel. What are we disposed to do on the individual, Entity or Conferences levels to revitalise our life and mission on the basis of the Gospel? What are the most urgent changes we are being asked to make in order to dare to live the Gospel? (Meeting with the Presidents of Conferences, May 2007, Br. José Rodríguez Carballo, Minister General )

Spain – A Holy Year at the Monastery of St. Toribio of Liébana in Cantabria

The Minister General blessed a statue of St. Francis and inaugurated a rotunda in his honour in Viveda (Santillana del Mar-Cantabria), on the 21 st April 2007, at the conclusion of the celebration of the Holy Year in the monastery of St. Toribio de Liébana and of the 50 years since the return of the Franciscans to Santander. Present at the event were a numerous group of the Franciscan Family and the President of the Council of Cantabria, Mr. Miguel Ángel Revilla, accompanied by some Councillors. The bronze statue, the work of the sculptress Mercedes Rodríguez Elvira, represents “St. Francis of Assisi, evangelical pilgrim”. Written on the commemorative plaque is: “The Pilgrim Brother Francis, the Poverello of Assisi, passed this place. He lodged, according to the legend, in the medieval tower of the Calderon’s. 1214-2007. The Pilgrim Way of Santiago and Liébana”. After the inauguration, the Minister General, accompanied by Br. Miguel Vallecillo, General , went to the nearby sanctuary of St. Toribio of Liébana, where he presided at the Eucharist for the official closing of the “Door of Pardon”. More than a million pilgrims from Spain, other European countries and from the American Continent passed through this doorway during the jubilee year (16 th April 2006 – 21 st April 2007). The “Lignum Crucis”, the largest piece of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, is preserved in this sanctuary, which has been served by the Friars of the Province of Arantzazu since 1961.

Australia – Elective National Chapter of the SFO in Oceania

The elective Chapter of the National Fraternity of the SFO in Oceania was celebrated in Sydney from the 27 th to the 29 th April 2007. Lucy Almirañes, Counsellor to the Presidency, and Br. Ivan Mati ć, OFM, Assistant General to the SFO, presided over the elective Chapter in the name of the CIOFS Presidency. About 50 Chapter Members and various regional Assistants were present at the Chapter. Present was Br. Carl Schafer, OFM, National Assistant to the SFO, who illustrated the situation of the spiritual

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and pastoral assistance on the national level. The text of the new National Statutes, which have to be ratified by the CIOFS Presidency, were also approved. The election of the new National Council was held in the afternoon of the 28 th April. Helen Britton was re-elected as the National Minister and Sandra Tilley was elected as International Councillor. As the international meeting of You.Fra, to be held in Sydney during the World Youth Day (15 th – 20 th July 2008), is being prepared, Br. Ivan presented a report on the Young Franciscans.

Poland – Formators in a Congress

A Congress for OFM Formators of the North-Slavic Conference was held in the convent of Góra Św. Anny (Poland) from the 16 th to the 21 st April 2007. Friars engaged in formation from the Provinces of Poland, Slovakia, the Ukraine and a Polish Missionary in Tanzania participated. The Congress was organised by Br. Witosław Sztyk, OFM, who is in charge of a Formation House and is Secretary for Formation and Studies of the Conference, and Br. Sergiusz Bałdyga, OFM, Director of the “Three Companions” Vocational Reception Centre. “The crisis, discouragement and apathy” was the topic of the Congress, which had the aim of deepening and improving the activity of the Formators of the North-Slavic Conference through the expert contributions of various speakers (Mrs. Maria Marquardt, Sr. Hilaria Hatko, Br. Emilian Goł ąbek OFM, Br. Syrach Janicki OFM and Br. Sergiusz Bałdyga OFM) and the practical involvement of the participants in work-groups.

Spain – Once again on the road to Emmaus

The young Friars of Spain and Portugal gathered together with Br. Giacomo Bini in Madrid during the week-end of the 20 th to the 22 nd of April to share a reflection on “Challenges and Proposals” which have to be faced on the basis of the charism and reality of the Friar Minor. Taking up the message of the Extraordinary General Chapter, it was stressed that, in order not to lose their joy ever again, the entire Order must return to Emmaus, to that place where the disciples, disillusioned and tired, met for the second time with the Risen Lord. The Order of Friars Minor can be defined as “A contemplative Fraternity-in-mission”. Three elements of being a Friar are underlined in this definition: Fraternity, Prayer and Evangelisation. To discard one of the three would mean closing down the charism completely. All this must be lived in a dimension of renewal. Br. Giacomo invited all to jump the walls of our institutions by bringing the Gospel to the man on the street. It is the Gospel which asks us to invent new ways and means of joyfully building fraternity which, in order to be placed at the disposal of the Spirit of God and be able to create new life each day, would break every image of Church that seeks to defend its own spaces. Today we are living a situation of excessive work, which impedes our being available to bring the renewal to fulfilment, which Br. Giacomo tried to centre on evangelisation on the basis of the fraternity. The young Friars accepted the invitation to take risks. Every new experience, though brief, would never be a failure, it would be an experience, and every experience is a source of life. What did St. Francis get out of his visit to the Sultan of Egypt? Nothing! The greatest risk is not to take a risk. The meeting was like a glass of cold water at mid-day. Br. Giacomo shared the beginning of his new mission: living in a European itinerant fraternity, initiated for the mission in whatever place it may be called to. One of the priorities of this new fraternity will be to strengthen the franciscan presence on the “Santiago Way”, to receive the pilgrims going to Compostela and also to involve the new itinerant fraternity of Vega de Valcarce in creating an international community composed of Friars of different languages.

Spain – Reception of pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela

“The St. Francis of Assisi Place of spirituality” will open its doors in the franciscan convent of Santiago de Compostela again this year, from the 15 th June to the 10 th September. It is a matter of a space reserved exclusively for the reception of pilgrims who arrive on foot or bicycle at the Cathedral L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 41

of Santiago (Galicia, Spain) in accordance with the words of Francis: “accept all those who may come to you”. More than 100,000 pilgrims passed through the Cathedral in 2006. A great increase in Italian pilgrims was noted. The “Place of Spirituality” is a franciscan challenge on the Santiago Way. A part of the convent is assigned for the purpose of receiving the pilgrims and of offering them the possibility to spend the night free of charge and to share the franciscan spirituality around the Crucifix of San Damiano. It is, at the same time, a possibility to open up new horizons for ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue (seeing that many people who profess their faith in other Christian Churches, and even Buddhists, join the pilgrimage) in addition to pastoral work (the majority of pilgrims are Catholics). The reception is made by Friars with the help of some volunteers or of those who reside in the convent during their stay in the city and share life and table with the fraternity of Santiago. Another 10 Friars from different parts of Europe, among them the Friars of the recently established Itinerant Fraternity and one Conventual Friar, will join the experience this summer. For further information see: www.franciscanos-santiago.org (“albergue conventual para peregrinos cristianos”), or write to: [email protected] .

Island of Mauritius – Formation Course, Visit and Elective Chapter of the SFO

A course of formation on the SFO-You.Fra and spiritual assistance for Friars, Sisters and Secular Franciscans of the islands of Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar, was held in the Foyer Fiat House in Rose-Hill, the Island of Mauritius, from the 13 th to the 19 th April 2008. The course was organised by the National Council of the SFO of the Island of Mauritius and the Presidency CIOFS, with help of the local Spiritual Assistants, Br. René Coutagne, OFM, and Br. Krisnah Ramsamy, OFM. 4 Friars, 19 Franciscan Missionary of Mary Sisters, 12 Secular Franciscans, 2 representatives of the You.Fra and one Secular Franciscan from participated. The new National Assistant for Madagascar, Br. Roger Aimé Rabemahafaly, OFM, was also present. The course was animated by Benedetto Lino, Counsellor to the Presidency, and Br. Ivan Mati ć, OFM, Assistant General to the SFO, in the name of the CIOFS Presidency. The pastoral and fraternal visitation of the National Council of the SFO of the Island of Mauritius was held on the 20 th April and the Elective National Chapter, in which Marie Thérèse Soobaroyen was elected National Minister and International Councillor, was held on the 21st -22 nd April. There were about 80 Chapter members.

Benedict XVI will visit Assisi on the 17 th June

The Pope will arrive in the Umbrian town by helicopter and will be received by Msgr. Domenico Sorrentino, Archbishop, Bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, and by other religious and civil authorities at Rivotorto. He will go to San Damiano and then to Santa Chiara by car for a brief stop-off for prayer in private. He will celebrate Mass in the lower Basilica of St. Francis at 10.00 hours and will recite the Angelus at the end. There will be lunch with the Bishops of Umbria, the religious community and retinue in the Sacred Convent at 13.00. The Holy Father will also greet the German Capuchin Poor Clares. There will be a meeting with the clergy and religious in the Cathedral of San Rufino at 16.45. The day’s programme will come to an end at St. Mary of the Angels with a private visit to the Porziuncola and a meeting with young people in the square in front of the Basilica.

Angola - Implantatio Ordinis

The first two Angolan Friars Minor will make their Solemn Profession in June this year. The mission in Angola has twelve solemnly professed Friars, eleven Brazilians and one Colombian, who will be soon joined by the two newly professed Angolans. The Entity has four and about twenty aspirants. It depends, legally, on the Province in Brazil.

The “St. Francis of Assisi: evangelisation and theology” award L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 42

The Pontifical University Antonianum has established the “St. Francis of Assisi: evangelisation and theology” award, to be given for scientific publications of a franciscan nature which deal with the following themes: Sacred Scripture, theology, law and philosophy – the history of the Order of Friars Minor – values of the Gospel and fundamental rights in the legislation of religious institutes – matrimony and the family in the problems of the third millennium in the light of documents of the Church Magisterium. The publications, of at least 50,000 words, should arrive to the Rector Magnificus by the 30 th November 2008, and they will be judged by a commission established by the academic authorities of the Antonianum. http://www.antonianum.ofm.org/

Service for Dialogue

The Commission for the Service of Dialogue of the Order is preparing, with the approval of the General Definitory, a Congress on our franciscan presence in countries of a Muslim majority or where there is a significant Muslim minority, to be held in the General Curia, from the 18 th to the 21 st September 2007 . This is one of the objectives fixed at the beginning of the three-year period in the area of inter- religious dialogue, taking advantage of the celebration of the XXV Anniversary of the first Congress of Franciscans who live among Muslims, held in Assisi in 1982, and of the X Anniversary of the most recent one, held in Sarajevo in 1997. For further information contact Br. Miguel Vallecillo: [email protected] .

France – Appointment of the Archbishop of Strasburg

Vatican City, 21 st April 2007 - Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. Jean-Pierre Grallet, OFM , Titular Bishop of Dardano and Auxiliary in the Archdiocese of Strasburg (France) since the 27 th September 2004, to be the Archbishop of Strasburg. Msgr. Grallet took possession of the Archdiocese on the 13 th May 2007.

Big/small news

* Franciscans between authority and obedience : The Franciscan Institute of Spirituality at the Pontifical University Antonianum ( Pontificia Università Antonianum ) of Rome held its annual Study day on the topic: “Authority and obedience; The present debate in the consecrated life and in the Franciscan Family” on the 27 th April 2007. Meeting of Franciscan Bishops in Assisi : The Minister General has invited the OFM Bishops of the whole world to a meeting with the General Definitory on the occasion of the VIII Centenary of the foundation of our Order. The meeting will be held in Assisi and Rome from the 18 th to the 22 nd June this year. There will be a solemn concelebration in St. John Latern, presided by a delegate of the Holy Father. A special audience with the Pope has been requested. * Br. Maurizio Faggioni , of the Province of St. Francis ‘Stigmatised’ (Italy), was appointed a Counsellor to the Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary by Benedict XVI on the 16 th May 2007. * Assisi – Meeting of European young people, 2007: The Friars Minor of Europe (UFME), in the certainty that Francis of Assisi is a light still capable of illuminating the path of our peoples and of giving hope to the hearts of present-day men and women, invite young Europeans – from 18 to 30 years of age – to meet in order to discover the franciscan roots of our continent. See the web-site: http://www.assisi2007.org

New Ministers Provincial

Br. Vítor José Melícias Lopes was elected Minister Provincial of the Holy Martyrs of Morocco

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Province (Portugal). Br. Paolo Fantaccini was elected Minister Provincial of the St. Francis ‘Stigmatised’ Province (Italy). Br. Norbert Plogmann was re-elected Minister Provincial of the Holy Cross Province (Germany). Br. Hadrian W. Koch was elected Minister Provincial of the St. Elizabeth Province (Germany). Br. Ivan Sesar was elected Minister Provincial of the Assumption of the BVM Province (Bosnia – Herzegovina). Br. Francesco Lanzillotta was elected Minister Provincial of the Seven Holy Martyrs Province in Calabria (Italy). Br. Agostino Esposito was elected Minister Provincial of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province (Italy).

New Visitators General

Br. Gloriano Pazzini , Province of Christ the King, Italy, to the St. Vigil Province in Trent, Italy. Br. Giacinto D’Angelo, Province of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM, Italy, to the St. James of the Province, Italy.

Agenda of the Minister General

1st to 5 th June : Visit to the Province of St. Peter Baptist (Philippines). 9th to 13 th June : Visit to the Province of St. Francis Solano (Peru). 17 th June: Assisi, meeting with the Holy Father Benedict XVI on his pastoral visit. 18 th to 22 nd June : Meeting of the Minister and Definitory General with OFM Cardinals and Bishops, Assisi and Rome. 25 th to 27 th June : Meeting with the Friars in initial formation from the North-Slavic Conference at Calvary (Poland). 29 th to 30 th June : Celebration of the Chapter of Mats for young Friars of the Order, together with the General Definitory, in the Holy Land.

The year 2007: Let us dare to live the Gospel!

During 2007, we are asked, in the spirit of The Grace of our Origins, to dare to live the Gospel and we are reminded, in a special way, of the encounter of Francis with the Gospel text of the sending of the disciples of Jesus on mission. “Where are we going?” Towards concrete and prophetic choices in view of the projection of our life and mission. The elaboration of a project of life and evangelisation, rather than being a technical activity, is an exercise in personal and communal discernment. This presupposes an environment of hope, the avoiding of attitudes of conservatism and of pragmatism. To project is to be creative in the present and open to the future. It is, therefore, necessary to know how to read and interpret the signs of the times in the light of faith and of the founding experiences of the charism, while keeping both the internal and the external realities of the fraternity in mind. From discernment are born decisions and orientations which root our evangelisation in the quality of evangelical life, without superficial or suffocating idealisms.. It could happen that “the courage to begin unknown ways of presence and witness” or of “abandoning some social and ecclesiastical situations in order to choose with greater decision the places of frontier and marginality” will be asked of us. Perhaps, also, we could be asked to make a global review of our life and evangelisation in our different presences and forms, always in a path of fraternity and ecclesiastical communion. Director responsible: Gino Concetti - Redactor: Robert Bah čič Internet: http://www.ofm.org/fraternitas . Email: [email protected]

Mons. Mario Grech, isqof ta’ G ħawdex, kiteb ittra (26.05.07) ta’ ringrazzjament lil Fra Twanny Chircop, OFM, Kummissarju ta’ l-Art Imqaddsa, g ħal mod kif āie organizzat il-pellegrina āā li hu ħa sehem. Kif qal Mons. Mario, “nixtieq infissirlek is-sodisfazzjon pastorali tieg ħi għall-mod kif g ħaraft torganizza u tmexxi din it-talba... Inroddlok ħajr ukoll g ħal dan l-”apostolat” spe ëifiku li qed twettaq.” Ara p. 40-41 L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 44

Third Order Regular Franciscans Elect Superior

LORETTO, Pennsylvania, May 27, 2007. The Franciscans of the Third Order Regular have elected American Father Michael Higgins as their new superior. The 56-year-old Franciscan was elected as Minister General on Sunday at the 110th General Chapter at St. Francis University in Loretto. Father Higgins succeeds Father Ilija Zivcovic, a friar from the Croatian province, who held the post for the past six years. Michael Higgins was born in Boston in 1951, and entered the Franciscan Third Order Regular (TOR) Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1978. After his novitiate in Winchester, Virginia, he made his profession of simple vows in June 1980, and of solemn vows in June 1984. He was ordained a priest in June 1985. Father Higgins has a doctorate in sacred theology from the Antonianum in Rome, 1999, and is nearing completion of another in higher education administration at Capella University in Minneapolis, defending his dissertation in June. Father Higgins has taught theology, religious studies, and Franciscan spirituality at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, and at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He served as director of novices for eight years and has worked as a spiritual assistant of the Secular Franciscan Order. Since 2001, Father Higgins has served as vicar general of the order. The 110th General Chapter consists of 38 TOR Franciscans representing over 1,000 professed religious in 16 nations.

Il-Papa Benedittu XVI f’Assisi fis-17 ta’ Āunju, 2007

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FESTI U BIRTHDAYS Ā U N J U 1. Fra :ustinu Sciortino 7. Fra Anthony Briffa 2. Fra Marcellino Micallef 8. Fra Pierre Farrugia 6. Fra Norbert Ellul Vincenti 9. Fra Bernardin Sant 13. Fra Anthony Vella 27. Fra Norbert Ellul Fra Anthony Chircop Vincenti Fra Anthony Briffa Fra Leo M. Ciantar 16. Fra Anton Farrugia Fra Guido Schembri Fra Āwann Azzopardi Fra Āwann Abela Fra John Muscat 29. Fra Pietru Pawl Meilak Fra Pierre Farrugia 30. Fra Raymond Camilleri L U L J U 13. Fra Nerik Cassar 1. Fra :u]epp B. Xuereb 14. Fra Kamillu Aquilina Fra George Bugeja Fra Charles Wickman 4. Fra :u]epp Vella Fra Charles Diacono Fra Raymond Fra Charles Grech Camilleri Il-fa ëë ata tal-ktejjeb tal-litur āija 25. Fra Christopher Farrugia 7. Fra Albert Gauci 18. Fra :or; Aquilina li tqassam g ħall-kanonizzazzjoni 27. Fra :ustinu ta’ l-ewwel qaddis Braziljan San Sciortino Antônio de Santa' Ana Galvão, OFM. Awguri u Xewqat Sbie ħ!

F’ DIN IL-{AR:A

Gunjju 2007 Kanonizzazzjoni tal-Qaddisin Āodda 1

Komunikazzjoni mill-Kurja Āeneralizja 13

Laqg ħa tal-Presidenti tal-Konferenzi ta’ l-Ordni 15 EDITUR

Laqg ħa ta Ŝ-śgħaŜag ħ ta’ l-Ewropa f’Assisi 18 fra marcellino micallef ofm

Ri Ŝultat tal-kwestjonarju “Under 10” 20 [email protected] Informazzjoni 25

75 Sena tas-Sorijiet Fran āiskani fil-Ħamrun 32 Kunvent Tal-Fran āiskani Is-sbu ħija tal-Litur āija 34 291, Triq San Pawl, Valletta VLT 07 L-isqof ta’ G ħawdex i Ŝur l-Art Imqaddsa 40 Tel. 21238218 Fax. 21231266 Fraternitas 42 L-A{BAR :UNJU 2007 46