"Seraphicus Patriarchus" original under the care of the OFS.

Dearest sister Encarnaciòn Del Pozo,

May the Lord give you Peace!

It is with great joy that we can finally say that the search has borne fruit, and we can return the original of the Apostolic Letter Seraphicus Patriarcha, which the venerated Pope Paul VI gave to the Secular Franciscan Order. We are well aware of what fundamental importance it is for the life of the Secular Order.

Therefore, it is with a profound feeling of communion that we place it in your hands after having taken care of it for all these years, also as a sign of our link in Francis, who never stops inviting us to be poor and simple in the world, each one in our own calling, but all called to recognize in Christ, the Love of the Father, the Saving Word, the Beauty of Life in the Spirit.

Dearest sister, as we feel ourselves more and more in communion in our lives, we thank each brother and sister in the Secular Franciscan Order for the prayer and support that each one has offered to us, the friars. Thank you and may the Lord gaze on you in blessing, show you his mercy and guide your footsteps in the Good.

With true fraternal affection,

Fra Mauro Jöhri

DECLARATION

Upon the request of the Minister General of the SFO, Encarnaciòn Del Pozo, and the decision of the Minister General Fr. John Corriveau and the Definitorium, the original of the Apostolic letter by Pope Paul VI “Seraphicus Patriarcha” approving the Rule of  the Secular Franciscan Order, is hereby consigned to the Minister General of the SFO by Fr. Gandolf Wild, Archivist of the current Archives, for its preservation in the Archives of the Secular Franciscan Order. 

Copy of the above Apostolic Letter is preserved in digital form in our General Archives as testimony of the document.  

Rome, August 31, 2006
Fr. Luigi Marti

Administrator of General Archives

Fr. Gandolf Wild

Archivist of the current Archives