SFO International Council - Weekly edition
Volume: 10 - N. 18 - 2004 - April - V
From: CIOFS Bulletin, 2004, N. 4
Italy -- The National Assembly of the Italian SFO took place on November 29 and 30, in Assisi, with the presence of the General Minister, Encarnación del Pozo. Two highly significant messages arrived at the Assembly and are published here because of their spiritual value, not only for this one Fraternity, but for the entire Secular Franciscan Order as well.
Dearest brothers and sisters of the Secular Franciscan Order, may the Lord give you peace!
We are happy to welcome you today in this basilica, in which lie the relics of St. Clare, to celebrate the conclusion of your National Assembly.
The words that come from the benediction of St. Clare, taken as the title for this important meeting of your Fraternity -- “be always solicitous to observe all that you have promised to the Lord” -- are of great importance in light of the two anniversaries remembered in this Assembly: the 750th of the papal confirmation of Clare’s Rule and the 25th of the approval of your Rule by Paul VI.
Pope John Paul II traced with clarity the lines for the Christian presence and witness in the third millennium, to which we are all called in the diversity of our specific vocations: “No, we shall not be saved by a formula but by a Person, and the assurance which he gives us: I am with you! It is not therefore a matter of inventing a new programme. The programme already exists: it is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living Tradition, it is the same as ever. Ultimately, it has its centre in Christ himself, who is to be known, loved and imitated, so that in him we may live the life of the Trinity, and with him transform history until its fulfilment in the heavenly Jerusalem. (...) This programme for all times is our programme for the Third Millennium.” (NMI, 29)
We would like to give thanks for the gift of our Rules, two ways of life that are founded directly in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word able to shape and transform our lives, if we accept it with faith and the simplicity of heart with which Francis and Clare completely surrendered themselves, thus mapping out in the Church a new life of holiness always actual because it is essentially evangelical.
Dearest brothers and sisters, may our mother St. Clare, who never took her eyes off the Lord Jesus and who reminds us that Christian holiness is inseparable from constant and persevering prayer, guide your steps today that you may embody the saving logic of the Gospel in our world, so needy of light and hope, that you may reflect the face of Christ before all the generations of the new Millennium.
Our fraternal prayer and the blessings of Clare go with you in your mission of Christian witness, in your journey of conviction and generosity, toward the building of an authentic Franciscan and ecclesial communion: the Lord be with you always and may He keep you always with Him!
To Sister Rosa Galimberti -- National Minister of the SFO
Since I was unable to participate, as was my great desire, in this national meeting of the Secular Franciscan Order, to celebrate the XXV of the new Rule, I send you and all the brothers and sisters the greeting of our Father St. Francis: “The Lord give you peace.”
I remember fondly the day of study and prayer, of us, four General Ministers, in the Spring of 1978, to revise the text of the new Rule, before sending it to the Holy Father Paul VI.
Yet, admiring the text that had been transmitted, fruit of a long and laborious international work, I felt that something was missing that would link the whole text to the words of St. Francis, and thus I proposed, indeed insisted, to the other three brothers General Ministers, to insert, as the prologue to the Rule, the “Letter to the Faithful”.
The power of the Rule rests in that return to the origins, to the spiritual experience of Francis and of the brothers and sisters of Penance, who received from him the inspiration and guidance necessary to be “Children of the heavenly Father, whose works they do, and spouses, brothers and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Let. Faith. I)
Paying attention to the Spirit in the signs of the times, the SFO has come a long way in these twenty five years and is now feeling more prepared to answer, with a joyful lay holiness, the expectations of Holy Mother Church.
These are my wishes, and my prayers in union with all holy Franciscans.
Your most loving brother in Saint Francis
Fr. Antonio Vitale Bommarco
Slovenia -- The elective Chapter of the National SFO Fraternity of Slovenia took place in Kancevci on 28-30 of November. The first session, in the evening of Friday the 28th, was opened with welcome remarks by the National Minister of Slovenia’s SFO, Franc Herle, and with prayers, led by Fr. Janez Samperl, President of the Conference of National Assistants. Following approval of the Chapter’s program and the preliminary tasks, the president of the electoral session, Antica-Nada Cepulic, International Councillor of Croatia, and delegate of the General Minister, welcomed the participants and talked about the 25th anniversary of the renewed Rule of the SFO. Next, reports were presented to the Chapter: from the National Minister, the Conference of National Assistants, from the National Treasurer, and directors of Formation, from international Councillors and the Representative of the Franciscan Youth.
On Saturday, November 29, after Morning Prayer and breakfast, the chapter was convened for the election of the new National Council of the SFO in Slovenia. It began with the invocation of the Holy Spirit. After that, the General Assistant Fr. Ivan Matic, and the President of the elective session Antica-Nada Cepulic, spoke. The qualified voters were counted. Of 61 having the right to vote there were 53 present; the quorum was verified and it was confirmed that 27 votes were the majority necessary for election to the various offices. Thus, the voting was initiated. Brother Franc Herle was reelected National Minister with 29 votes in the first scrutiny. Alenka Fras was reelected International Councillor with 51 votes in the first scrutiny. After the election, the Chapter President attested that everything was conducted regularly and proclaimed the election valid and legal.
After lunch and rest, the Chapter convened for the third session, a discussion of the life and activities of the SFO in Slovenia for the next three years. In particular, the National Council was given the mandate to take care of the publication of the General Constitutions, to update the National Statutes in accordance with them and to call an extraordinary chapter to approve the Statutes. The National Council of the SFO will continue to care for the Franciscan Youth’s projects, helping as possible; will support the Franciscan School, prepared by the Franciscan Conference and, with the national Council of the Franciscan Youth will try to present itself in a better manner to the community of the First Order and to the sisters of the TOR.
The new Council was installed during the eucharistic celebration, presided by the Provincial Minister of the OFMConv, Fr. Slavko Stermsek. In his homily, Fr. Ivan Matic, General Assistant, highlighted the various aspects of life in the fraternity and the service offered by those responsible. After Evening Prayers and dinner, the day was concluded with an evening of fraternity, animated by the members of the Franciscan Youth of Slovenia.
On Sunday, November 30, after Morning Prayer and breakfast, the members of the newly elected National Council met for the first short session, with the General Assistant, Fr. Ivan Matic, and the delegate of the General Minister. Then the chapter attendants celebrated Eucharist with the people of the local church. The Mass was presided by Fr. Stane Bester OFMCap, National Assistant, and, during the homily, presentations of the SFO and the Franciscan Youth took place.
Antica-Nada ends her report thus: “I can say that the atmosphere during the entire Chapter was truly fraternal, Franciscan, and spiritual. The lodging was comfortable and the place peaceful. All the information and instructions of a higher level were heard with attention and availability. I felt very welcomed and I got to know a National Fraternity which exudes a profound Franciscan spirit.”