C I O F S LIST

Celebrations of the 25^th anniversary of the SFO Rule and of the 750^th of St. Clare's Transitus

Chapters and Visits

Italy -- The Italian SFO celebrated this occasion with a pilgrimage to the shrine of its patron -- St. Elizabeth. The national Newsletter dedicated almost the entire issue of August/September to extensive and touching essays that we would have liked to reprint full text, but for lack of space we will present only some highlights here.

The culminating moment took place June 24, when the Italian SFO renewed their profession vows next to the tomb of St. Elizabeth at Marburg, in the Elisabethkirche, which is now a protestant evangelical church. In spite of the Reformation, the great/small Elizabeth continues to be present in her country and in the affection of her people.

On the preceding June 21, the Italian pilgrims were welcomed in Oberwalluf where is kept, at a church dedicated to St. Martin, the penitent's cloak that Francis sent to Elizabeth. In his speech welcoming the pilgrims, Gerard Jaskche, Franciscan tertiary, said: "We are here today not because of a piece of clothing, but for the Gospel, which these two saints lived in a radical way: Martin divided his cloak with the poor, Francis took up the mantle of poverty, and Elizabeth served the sick and the poor under the mantle of the Franciscan Order."

Brazil -- From July 17 to 20 the elective national Chapter of the Brazilian SFO met in the state of Pernambuco, when the 25^th anniversary of approval of the Rule and the 750^th of the death of St. Clare were celebrated, with the presence of three Poor Clare sisters. The Chapter was presided over by the General Minister of the SFO, Encarnación del Pozo, accompanied of the Assistant General Fr. Ivan Matic OFM. Also present were Rosalvo G. Mota, Vice General Minister SFO, and Sr. Bernarda OSC, representing the Abbess of the Caico Monastery, in Pernambuco. This historical event was marked by fraternal symbolism, for the entire Franciscan Family -- First Order, Second Order and the Secular Order -- were represented at an elective Chapter of the SFO.

Elected were: José Carlos de Andrade, as National Minister; Denize Guzmao, first Vice National Minister; Maria Aparecida Crepaldi, as International Councilor.

The Chapter was concluded with the celebration of Holy Mass in the Church of Sao Roque in Olinda, Pernambuco, where the first SFO Fraternity of Brazil was erected in 1530.

Denmark -- The National Elective Chapter took place on August 23 2003, presided over by the Councilor for the Presidency Benedetto Lino, with the assistance of the General Assistant Fr. Samy OFMCap.

Pia Borghels was elected National Minister and Olaf Orhus was elected International Councilor.

In Denmark, the religious environment is complex and difficult. Catholics are few. The Franciscan presence is limited to three brothers OFMConv, who depend on the American province. No sisters are to be seen, except at a small convent of the "Sisters of Aachen" in Copenhagen.

The national SFO Fraternity has less than 50 members. The average member is advanced in age and has health problems. Because of the lack of spiritual assistance they need a lot of help from the CIOFS presidency since Marianne Powell is unable to work with the Fraternity due to illness.

Ireland-- The Elective Chapter of the National Fraternity was held at St. Patrick's College in Dublin, Ireland on August 30-31, 2003. Doug Clorey, Presidency Councillor, English (North America and Europe) and delegate of the General Minister, presided at the elections. Fr. Michael Higgins, TOR represented the Conference of General Assistants and acted as the official ecclesiastical witness for the elections. Ita O'Neill was re-elected as National Minister and Donal Bell was re-elected as International Councillor.

During the Chapter, the National Minister reported on the state of the Secular Franciscan Order in Ireland. Members of the Chapter also participated in three role plays depicting situations in the family, work place and the civil community, as well as a presentation depicting joy, hope, distress and pessimism. A plenary session followed during which the issues raised by these presentations and the role that Secular Franciscans play in dealing with these issues were discussed. Sr. Anne O'Shea, OSC addressed the Chapter on prayer and led the Chapter in a candlelight procession to the chapel where a period of guided adoration ensued. A presentation, in word and song, was also made by Doug Clorey on the importance of the Rule, the 2002 Message of the Holy Father to Secular Franciscans, and the priorities established by the 2002 General Chapter.

Tanzania -- From 3 to 6 September 2003 the elective national Chapter was held at the Center for Spirituality of Mbagala, presided over by Felix Mbete, Presidency Councillor, delegated by the General Minister of the SFO, with the assistance of Fr. Samy Irudaya, delegated by the Conference of the General Assistants.

On September 6, the elections of the new national Council were held. In the first scrutiny the brother Laurenti Mutalemna was elected National Minister.

Many positive aspects emerge from the SFO of Tanzania:
-- A very dynamic SFO has been established in the country since 1932;
-- spiritual assistance is assured in suitable and regular ways by the First Order, but it is also important to notice that 4 local fraternities receive spiritual assistance from Franciscan Nuns: an example to follow for many national fraternities that suffer lack of spiritual assistants of the First Order;
-- all of the fraternities speak the same language -- Swahili; that represents an advantage over many other national fraternities in Africa;
-- the outgoing National Council report, altogether very positive, in its economic aspects shows an active balance of 2,600,000 Shilling, or $ 2,600.

Great Britain -- The Elective Chapter of the National Fraternity was held at Marie Reparatrice Retreat Centre in Wimbledon, England on September 5-7, 2003. Doug Clorey, Presidency Councillor, English (North America and Europe) and delegate of the General Minister, presided at the elections. Fr. Ivan Matic, OFM represented the Conference of General Assistants and acted as the official ecclesiastical witness for the elections. Mary McCormick was elected as National Minister and Margaritha Gibson as International Councillor.

During the Chapter, reports were presented describing the state of the National Fraternity of Great Britain, including those from the National Minister, Vice-Minister, Secretary, Treasurer, Formation Minister, International Councillor, the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Officer, and the three National Spiritual Assistants. A presentation, in word and song, by Doug Clorey was also made on the importance of the Rule, the 2002 Message of the Holy Father to Secular Franciscans, and the priorities established by the 2002 General Chapter. The Chapter delegates also formulated priorities for the National Fraternity of Great Britain for the next three years.

Cameroun -- From September 9 -12, 2003, the local Fraternities of Ezeka, Yaoundé, Mbalamayo and Kumbo/Shisong received the fraternal visit from Felix Mbete, and the pastoral from Fr. Samy Irudaya. It appears, from this visit, that the SFO Fraternity of Kumbo and Shisong in the English-speaking zone, where the First Order is present, is well assisted spiritually. On the other hand, those of Ezeka, Yaoundé and Mbalamayo in the francophone zone, far away from where the national Assistant lives, still have need of formation and regular spiritual assistance. Initiatives of a formative character will be undertaken by the CIOFS Presidency in cooperation with the temporary national Council of Cameroun, counting with the availability of Felix Mbete.