PaxPax etet bonumbonum G A Z E T T E O F F I C E O F OF CAPUCHIN ASSISTANCE INFORMATION A P R I L 2 0 1 5 T O T H E CAPUCHINS SISTERS Message of the General Minister

Dear Sisters, heaviness of our communities sincere relationship with the I send to that are always growing Lord. you these smaller, when we feel the Thus, dear sisters, I have the brief lines weight of the years, when we joy of wishing you a good and  The shared for this depend on others, and when holy Easter and of knowing in way coming Easter, wishing to we feel the difficulty of living you yourselves, in your daily take a point from a book together? It seems to me giving of yourselves, how  The roots for published in Switzerland on something very simple; we give beautiful it is to follow in the him all of this and we give it to a going out the occasion of the year footprints of our Lord Jesus him without hesitations, with Church dedicated to consecrated life. even to the cross and beyond. Originally written in French, love! In this consists a life full Happy Easter! of joy. Do you recall that Pope  Capuchin it has the title, “To love is to Br. Mauro Jöhri, General Minister give all”! The book contains Francis has said many times Friars of the Capuchins brief testimonies of that consecrated persons are marked by a deep joy? This has  Training consecrated women and men and is richly illustrated with its roots in an honest and international photos of smiling and happy project religious. Yes, ‘to love is to Garbatella make a gift of everything,’ and in this path toward  The process Easter no one more than of Maria Jesus reminds us of this Lorenza truth. In fact, he, having loved us, loved us to the end. Even Longo unto death on the cross. The  Solidarity: St. resurrection at Easter illuminates the event of the Veronica fund cross as the love that saves. It is not the suffering that  Statistics saves us, but only suffering that is lived in love. Thus the cross becomes a glorious cross! We have embraced the religious life, we have decided then to love and, in consequence, to give all of ourselves to the Lord and to humanity. What can we give him when we feel the P A G E 2 Diligent care and special solicitude

Dear Sisters, I am beginning my brother predecessors…a years old and I have been living my service as Delegate of the special thanks to Br. Juan in the General Curia of the General Minister for the María Castro, who for eight Capuchin Sisters and the years has accompanied you Capuchin in Rome since Institutes aggregated to our with a generous commitment November 2014. May it please Order. With some of you I and helped with formation. I God that we meet in the not am already acquainted, but hope also to be able to so distant future. In the name the majority I have not yet incarnate and represent the of all my brothers of the met. It is my wish to come relations that unite our Order, I want, as much as is to each of you with a warm Orders in the same charism. possible, to reflect in my own and affectionate greeting at I entrust myself to your person the promise made by this Easter, that we might prayers and to the dedication St. Francis to St. Clare and to feel like true brothers and of all of you. In this first her sisters: “I resolve and sisters. I am content in the meeting, I want to tell you promise for myself and for my Br. Leonardo Ariel service entrusted to me and I that I am Br. Leonardo, from brothers always to have the same González, OFMCap hope to carry it out as did Argentina, I am forty-four loving care and special solicitude for you as for them.” The shared way

The monastery of the Holy Cross I want to share some The sisters from Cittá di is the presence of the reformed footprints of the fraternal Castello have the great Capuchin in the city way spent with the sisters in mission of keeping and of our holy founders Francis and making present to us the this time, with diverse visits Clare. It’s a large fraternity and meetings… memory of Saint blessed with vocations, whose and mission is very special for all our blessed Florida Cevoli. Order, testifying to our mother Cittá di Castello With their simple and Saint Clare’s memory of fidelity welcoming fraternity, in and to the noble Capuchin a holy way, they help so tradition. The Monastery, many people to find God founded in 1723 has the particularity of being German every day. speaking.

The Monastery of Good Jesus, in Gubbio, has Gubbio celebrated 25 years of perpetual adoration, in their specificity of Sacramentary Capuchins, a re- foundation with Mexican help, which has continued the long life history of the capuchin sisters in this place, so loved by the Franciscan tradition. A P R I L 2 0 1 5 P A G E 3 The shared way

ago, at the beginning of the Lent, the Rome, Garbatella f r a t e r n i t y w a s increased with the arrival of the sisters from Santo Urbano Monastery at Via Aurelia Antica, Rome, that has been closed. A painful fact that is a fruit of a discernment made with a strong spirit of faith. This is The fraternity of the Most Holy a testimony for all of us. several countries who are living the experience of the Body of Christ Monastery, in To the stable community are “Garbatella project” of superior study at the Pontifical Garbatella, Rome consists of 25 added the student sisters from Antonianum University, at the same time carrying out sisters at the present. A few days an intense intercultural coexistence, very useful for discovering a wider sense of the fraternity. The Garbatella Monastery depends directly on the Fabriano General Minister. The Capuchin ’ fraternity of the “Saint Romualdo” Monastery in Fabriano, coexists every day with the historical memory of more than 1000 years of monastic life in that place and the challenge of recreating the gift of this presence for today’s society. With a very cared for and beautiful liturgy and the accompaniment of the people in the celebration, we have shared the whole Christmas week, in a climate of fraternal joy.

San Giovanni Rotondo The president from the American Confederation, Sister Maria de The monastery of “Risen Christ” Lourdes García and the at San Giovanni Rotondo, in the president of the Federation of shadow Saint Pio’s shrine and the South America, Sister Olga House Sollievo della Sofferenza, Martinez have visited Italy. provides the beautiful testimony Sister Hilda Lopez, president of of joy in the Lord. With the presence of Chilean sisters who the Federation Immaculate have joined the Italian ones the Conception and Saint Francis, of sisters form just one fraternity in Mexico, came as well. Thank you the “holy unity” wanted by Saint for caring the sisters sent to the Clare. An oasis for so many different missions in so many searchers of God that come to places. Father Pio, full of so much suffering. P A G E 4 THE ROOTS FOR A GOING OUT CHURCH

Pope Francis insists on calling us to contemplative life, what does sense of mystery (EG 275-280) be an evangelizing church, burning in this time marked by the need To experience the spiritual the heart for communicating the of evangelization mean? In taste of being people (EG 268- message of salvation to all. which specific way be a part 274) Repeatedly he has talked about a of this “going out” church? To believe in the missionary “going out” To be a true missionary church, force of intercession (EG 281- Christian it is necessary to 283). that’s to say have a strong spirituality and one that will an authentic mystique. And It is a big challenge to offer to be disposed we are invited to live and the Church today our daily to go to the offer to everybody this experience on these aspects missions and contemplative testimony. and thus “support the with the drooping limbs of his ineffable doors open To renew our daily body”, as Saint Clare says. to receive encounter with Jesus Christ (EG 3; 264) The dynamism of a going out so many church is also a downward brothers in To re-discover the mystique movement, deeper, with more need. of living together in fraternity roots, to support in the Lord For the (EG 87-92) the whole tree and to give To live the reality with a authentic fruits.

I hope that each one of our fraternities could Some key words to live this year in each live deeply the grace of this year for offering This year 2015 gives a very special community: the wealth of our renewed charism. First of all grace for all the consecrated people. to our spiritual family, especially the secular  Joy The goals for this year are three: persons that feed from the monastery  Awaken the world spirituality and that share the charism. It is To look the past gratefully also very important to renew our link with the  To be experts in communion To live the present with diocesan church, with its pastors and its  To go out of ourselves different groups and with the members of passion God’s people. When we share our charism  To ask questions of ourselves To face the future with hope and put it at the service it becomes a grace to all. 2015 Year of Consecrated Life 2015

P A X E T BONUM A P R I L 2 0 1 5 P A G E 5 Capuchin Friars The Capuchin Order walks to live another important moment in its renovation with the The grace of working celebration of the VIII Plenary Council of the Order (VIII PCO) lived in fraternity (VI PCO) and “It is necessary to pray, that will be held in November on to minority (VII PCO). reflect, search new ways and this year at Rome. It’s not only to reappropriate take innovative choices. For Each PCO has been an manual work, but reappropriate that reason, it’s important opportunity to reread and adapt some original and living values of that the whole Order, that is the charism of the tradition of our fraternal life. In the future, each of you, be implicated on the Order to these changing we will be called to diversify this reflection and times, in the line of renovation significantly our work activity and communicates it to the indicated by Vatican Council II. In we must do so by privileging the others” (General Minister Letter, this opportunity we’ll reflect principles that guide our fraternal 1/11/2013). I’m sure that each about our way of living, of -evangelical life Capuchin sister has a great working, in relation to poverty experience to share!

Identity and belonging "The sense of belonging cultivated The General Minister has confront life with beauty and of a great spiritual and feed by the motivated all our Capuchin family timeliness of all our charism. fruitfulness." with a letter on identity and relationship with God Therefore I dare to insist on "I ask that the brothers belonging (10/04/2014) . Have we fraternal life : I am aware that "work" on this letter. and with brothers, read, prayed, meditated, and sooner or later, sustained by the Brothers, assemble, speak , shared in fraternity? It can come help us to live the Grace of God, fraternity may be engage in dialogue. Discuss in a beautiful instance of lifelong a sign of more authentic human the suggestions that I have beauty of an learning and perhaps opportunity relationships that breathe the given in this letter. I gladly to express our opinion... existence donated to clean and invigorating air of the accept the letter or email I have wanted to communicate Gospel. The brother who lives message the brother wants to God and to the his membership in the Order what I consider essence of our communicate his own humanity and sustains identity - belonging. In this with joy and recognizes his reflections, comments and us in the moment of essential I hope each of you can identity on the fraternal life, criticism". find a place where we can go to becomes fascinating and capable the proof".

The general Minister in Benin

In January 2015, our brother Mauro visited the custody of Benin in Africa . There, he was found with the sisters of the monastery of "Jesus Eucharist" from WAWATA . P A G E 6 Dear brothers and sisters , peace this project. The sisters to expand my way of seeing and good! who welcomed us among things and the way I live My name is Sister Monica of the them, are for me a great them , once again I was Blood of Jesus, I am part of the example of tireless service asked to improve , to take Capuchin Poor Clares of the and joyful. a step further , to grow in Community of Genova. I have Living in an international love and fidelity to God . come to Rome to attend the community, if it is on the All that surrounds me academic years 2014/2015 - one hand exciting because ( facts and people) reminds 2015/2016 at the Pontifical it allows me to learn about me that if I am here not for University Antonianum with six new cultures, new worlds, myself but for our brothers other sisters from different parts different ways of thinking and sisters around the of the world: Mexico, Africa , and acting, and different world , for the Church ; it Indonesia . We are guests of the ways of living prayer and is in this sense that I live

Sisters (Italian and Mexican) of fraternity, on the other today contemplative

the monastery Corporis Christi hand looks like a daily mission : spreading my in the Garbatella district and who challenge because the arms and heart to the with great enthusiasm carry communication is not novelty and diversity, and forward the "Project Garbatella". always easy. I cannot take bringing everything in We live together in one anything for granted: it is a prayer . international community. challenge because it forces I thank you all for your I have been asked: “How are you me even more to get out of support and your prayers. living this time? The study, myself, from my schemes, with affection , from my cultural settings fraternal intercultural life, the Sister Monica prayer, contemplative mission?” and I’m over and over again called to revise my position of the Blood of Jesu This is for me a time of grace in relation to the sisters that is given to me unexpectedly, and to God which gave and for this I am most grateful to them me as a gift. the Lord first of all, but also to those who allowed and works for This experience allows me

I am Sr. Vincenza Zebua cloistered life, for the great the mystery of every person Indonesia. First of all I thank serenity and for the who becomes a challenge for God who gave me as a gift continued presence of Jesus me, but I still learn to walk the opportunity to study for in the Eucharist; every day I with courage, because I a Diploma in Franciscan can do meditation and also believe there is a hand up Spirituality at the can pray the Liturgy of the there that will help me to Antonianum University - Hours; we make the "desert keep going. I am very grateful Rome. I arrived a year ago in day" in silence, every month, to God in the silence of my Rome and I am very happy, and spiritual exercises which prayer. and also very well here in the became a source of strength Sister Maria Vincenzia Zebua monastery of Garbatella, for me. I live happily with the OSCCap because the Mother and the sisters in the monastery of

sisters take care of me like a Garbatella, but it is International Formation GARBATELLAProject International Formation GARBATELLAProject daughter. also true that I have They care of me to rest, to to face many more eat and to be fine. I enjoy it difficulties, for so much during recreation, example: I have to and I laugh a lot and so I do many tasks in my share life together with my academic activity, the sisters every day. weather is extremely cold, the language is I like very much the life in very difficult, the the monastery and the different culture and P A G E 7 THE MYSTERY OF MY and welcomed with open service and in giving myself EXPERIENCE IN THE arms and hearts, to live for fraternal life. Although CAPUCHIN POOR together with them two they are aware that living like CLARE COMMUNITY years more or less. They a is not all easy. But I IN GARBATELLA - have always helped me in the experience that the Lord ROME study, being always available truly blesses my life where I am Sister Beatrice, I in the service and ready to I'm living. The Lord gives me am of the Capuchin welcome each of us the joy and so many others Poor Clares especially in prayer. The through the gift of life. Monastery Sarikan - fraternity is wonderful and I have satisfaction of having Pontianak Indonesia. the communion true! had so many changes in my First of all I thank God I'm happy with my life. I can to love many who guides me and experience. I understand that people with prayers and with brings me love in my being strong in the mood my service. These are the vocation; I also thank helps to overcome all graces that I have the Federation of difficulties, and also, a virtue experienced until today. Capuchin Poor Clares opens the doors to the The abandonment to the will who as gave this program of study others. of the Lord should remain in Franciscan spirituality at the It’s also a part of our human the principle of all life, even Antonianum University and I am experience the finding of our in mine at this time and in

very happy! The course has helped weaknesses: Many times we my future, in the security of

me to find and enjoy the deep have to recognize that we God's presence which I give wealth of the St. Clare and St. were not able to perform infinite thanks. Francis spirituality. certain jobs that were within I greet you: I learned so many things, and for our reach. Sr. Beatrice that thanks to the mother and For this I have to repeat my sisters of the community in "yes" each day, in prayer, in Garbatella, that I have accepted

MY EXPERIENCE IN GARBATELLA Sometimes I live right now along with my sisters I’m immersed of the Order, in Corporis Christi in the study, Monastery of the Capuchin Poor but I Clares Nuns in Garbatella - Rome. This remember place is amazing for me, because we that: I’m a are sisters of different nationalities, student, but cultures, languages, but united in the specially a spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare. I'm contemplative happy, and I feel in my community. nun. For this everywhere I Why is this? Because we are sisters

International FotmationInternational Project go I have to guard the

International FotmationInternational Project translate materials

who live the same vocation. Although enclosure of the heart. there are the joys and challenges, the because before I do it in The harder it is to learn beautiful things and the difficulties, Indonesian. Italian to understand the temptations and limitations in And this is what I can lessons and communicate. community life, they do not separate share with you and ask us in fraternal life. Another challenge is you to pray for me. homework from school is Every day we live our relationship with Sr.Bernadette sometimes a little difficult the Lord in prayer, in the liturgy of the Nainggolan and I have no time to hours, in meditation and Holy Mass; finish them all, because I all this helps us time. have to work twice to My name Sr. Florence Syombua Mwania. I am Kenyan but my WORDS THAT monastery has been CAN HELP ME to in Spain for eight do with my life, years. I have been in a PERSONAL Italy for ten months EXPERIENCE and study at the 1. FORTRESS: Antonianum * To persevere University in Rome. in Community I live in the Prayer community of the Capuchin Sisters of Garbatella. Since I came here I * Adoration of feel good and I thank the Lord and the sisters of this community, the Blessed because they have been for me a model of dedication to the Lord, Sacrament and also because I feel welcomed and supported throughout. * Life in In school I had opportunities to learn new things with lessons that I fraternity receive and also by the sisters to participate, which are of different * The Holy Mass every day places and congregations. In the time of the tests I have learned that * To live in joy it is good to trust in the Lord and in one’s own abilities, and also the * The Retreat experience I had encouraged me to put more enthusiasm in the 3. CONQUER TEMPTATION study. * Of concentrate too much in the study, Although I understand that I have to take care not to neglect the neglecting prayer time devoted to the Lord above all in meditation, to devote myself 4. CHALLENGES: to the study, and beg Him to help me understand that He should be * To adapt myself to every situation, culture, the first in everything and the rest later. I ask Him to continue to language help me how he did it. Thank You. * Accept the opinions of others who do not Sr. Florence Syombua Mwania. comply with mine. Sr. Ignacia Sinhombing Indonesia's

Time is always a Kairos for customs or other people made this experience those who believe; and in who come to live together possible and I ask God to this time of the study live the charity of Christ, the reward you and please experience of encounter same goal and grow in all continue to pray for us.

with God always close to sense, learning de of their

Sr. Ma. Hope Rivera Salas, our human reality. wealth, of its value as consecrated. Capuchin Poor Clare, from the As contemplatives we Monastery of San Francesco discover the way of the Now the challenge is to live Tepojaco, Mexico. renewal, starting under the the demands of the study as light of the Word of God, a way of disciple in the which reveals the 'Love that contemplation of the

leaves find it even in the bridegroom and of fraternal Garbatella Garbatella classroom of class or among life, in joy the books, in the knowledge and of our Franciscan Clarean simplicity, spirituality, in love the learning and Church. thanking A temptation is not to let whatever God to speak, not to listen God gives to him really and hear me as a gift. another one or myself. Thank you Although I realize that I must to all the be careful to open my mind brothers and heart to the sisters from and sisters different cultures and who have A P R I L 2 0 1 5 P A G E 9

The process of Maria Lorenza Longo

ROMA. On February 15, 2015, In the coming months, the Positio will sign the decree of after a 10-year work was will pass to the judgment of the venerability. presented to the Congregation Historical Consultants, the first The Cause of Beatification and for the Causes of Saints Positio step toward the goal of the Canonization of the Servant of New step in the super vita, virtutibus et sanctitatis declaration of heroic virtue. As it God Maria Lorenza Longo was fame. It was indeed March 6, is the practice, to the judgment of introduced on September 4, 1892 process of 2004 the reopening of the Cause the Historical Consultants will obtaining the decree of legal beatification of of the Venerable Servant of God follow that of the Theological validity on 9 January 1899. Since Maria Lorenza Longo (1463- Censors, and on that of the then many problems and Mother Maria 1542), founder of the Monastery Ordinary of the Cardinals and difficulties arose during the Lorenza Longo, of the Thirty-Three (Naples) and Bishops. Obtaining the positive itinerary preparation Positio initiator of the Capuchin Reform opinion, the Cardinal Prefect of super vita virtutibis et fama di founder of the of the Poor Sisters of Santa the Congregation for Saints with sanctitatis to reopen the diocesan first monastery Clara. the approval of the Holy Father supplementary Research on March 6, 2004. The Public Copy of the Second was recognized on April 21, 2005 Order in the obtaining the decree of legal validity on 1 February 2008. Since Capuchin then has worked for the preparation of the Positio, as I Reform. said, was presented at the Congregation on February 15th.

fr. Carlo Calloni, postulator general.

Spirituality of St. Veronica

On February 25, 2015, at an event organized by the Cultural Commission and the Central Library of the Capuchins, was presented at the International College "St. Lorenzo of Brindisi", the book of Br. JOHAN Vigilius, The Spirituality of St. Veronica Giuliani (1660-1727). The atoning mission of being "mediator" in the Diary. This book was published in the series of Spiritual Theology, n. 35, in the editorial dehonian EDB, in Bologna, in 2014, 258 pages. A P R I L 2 0 1 5 P A G E 10 SOLIDARITY: St. Veronica Fund

A fraternal greeting of peace Since then, several projects Order, an amount and good! have been supported by the according to your Recently Pope Francis has Capuchins in Latin America, ability, sure that it will exalted the word "Solidarity" as Asia, Eastern Europe, and be of great help to a keyword for the Gospel. Africa, worth more than three support many of our With the simplicity that million US dollars. All this has sisters around the characterizes him, he said that been possible thanks to the world. Solidarity means "knowing how Divine Providence that was Dear Sisters, may the to make available to God what manifested through the offers Lord shall reward your we have, because only in the of the jurisdictions of the generosity. We wish that the sharing, in the gift, our life will Capuchin friars, some Lord fill your heart with all that Br. Aklilu Petros, be fruitful, will bear fruit monasteries of nuns and other long for, and above all grant you generous benefactors. Promoter of "(Homily, May 30, 2013). the gift of peace. In view of what is written, this Solidarity and Knowing that the year we turn to you, be sure to are called to live solidarity in a [email protected] Br. Alejandro concrete and practical way, and find the generosity of your Núñez, aware of the great help they Monastery for Solidarity of the need the Capuchin Poor Clare Secretary of nuns in the world, the General Solidarity, new Curia of the Capuchin Friars General Minor has created in the year 2000 the "Santa Veronica Treasurer Giuliani " Fund in order to sustain life and the formation of the sisters, as well as the maintenance and construction of new monasteries.

General Procura

The Office of the General Procurator provides the service of advising in the canonical issues and correctly process all requests to the appropriate authorities of the Holy See, both the Federations and monasteries. Having smooth communication is very important that each monastery have an active email address, where everyone can go quickly if necessary .The Procurator’s office is currently composed of the General Procurator Br. Antonio Belpiede, and the Vice Procurator Br. Albert D´Souza A P R I L 2 0 1 5 P A G E 11 STATISTICS

Overview of the Poor Clares Capuchins

countries monasteries professed formands We present a summary overview with OSCCap the latest statistics published (2013). AFRICA 5 10 107 25 We consider Each Continent Countries ASIA 3 18 264 20 What Is the Present, the number of AMERICA 10 21 192 19 monasteries, total of professed MEXICO 1 71 1152 82 (Perpetual and Temporary) and total EUROPE 8 70 767 31 formands Starts (postulants and Totals 27 190 2482 177 novices). Because of the weight in the Global Issues, we have considered Mexico apart from America.

Other contemplative sisters OTHER countries monasteries professed formands Besides the Poor Clares Capuchins, CONTEMPLATIVE we are linked to numerous SISTERS monasteries of contemplative Poor Clares of the perpetual 1 9 155 9 sisters, among which the Poor adoration from POLONIA Clares of Perpetual Adoration of Poland, the Poor Clares of Poor Clares of the perpetual 2 14 227 32 Perpetual Adoration of India and adoration from INDIA and BANGLADESH Bangladesh, and the Capuchins of

the Third Order Regular of Capuchins of the TOR from 1 13 144 1 Switzerland . We present the SUIZA latest statistics which are of 2011. Totals 4 36 526 42

We need to update our statistics. That's why we call on the federal presidents and of monasteries that are not federated to get by email at [email protected] before June 30 , 2015. Thank you!!!

II CAPUCHIN ORDER countries monasteries professed formands

general total 30 226 3008 219 P A G E 12 Meetings and celebrations

Assembly of the Celebrating the 350th International meeting Confederation of Our anniversary of the "Consecrated Life in Lady of Guadalupe of founding of the first Communion" the Poor Clares monastery of the From January 26 to Capuchins of Poor Clares February 2, 2016, in Rome America. Capuchins in organized by the CICLSAL . to end the year for 1 to June 13, America Consecrated Life, with 2015 in the On October 8, 2015 Mass some events especially Federal District of thanksgiving presided by dedicated to monastic life. of Mexico the Minister General at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be held.

International Meeting of Federal Assistants of the Capuchin

3 –7 February, 2016

Objectives:

 Religious assistants provide specific training in the area of competence, from an anthropological, theological-spiritual and ecclesial-canonically

 Share the difficulties and challenges in this service in the various geographic areas

 Cultivate a common vision; promote the exchange and the relationship between the audience and the offices of the General Curia

 Reflecting on the reform of the Constitutions of the Poor Clares, especially so on the methodology for carrying out the reform process.

Date: Wednesday 3 to Sunday 7 February 2016 (immediately after the international meeting of Consecrated Life, from January 26 to February 2, 2016)

Location: General Curia, Rome

Audience: Capuchin Friars religious assistants of the Federations of the Poor Clares and assistants associations and institutes Other contemplative added to the Order.

Methodology: try to combine harmoniously exposures thematic content, personal development of them in dialogue and questions, and the reflection of the reality of each region and the personal experiences of the participants.

Entertainers: Delegate General, Secretariat for Formation, General Procurement, guest speakers.

P A X E T BONUM