SFO International Council - Weekly edition
Volume: 12 - N. 07 - 2006 - February - III
From: Koinonia, 2005, N. 4
The General Chapter of the SFO was held from November 5 - 12, 2005, at the “Barbara Micarelli” Spirituality Center run by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Baby Jesus in Santa Maria degli Angeli near Assisi. One hundred and three people from close to 80 nations participated in the Chapter. These included 62 capitulars, 17 observers, 7 presenters, 7 translators, and 10 in the secretariat. All four of General Spiritual Assistants (OFM, OFM Conv., OFM Cap., and TOR) were also present. The opening Mass was celebrated in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. Vincenzo Coli, OFM Conv., the Custos of the Sacro Convento was the presider. The closing Mass was celebrated by the Minister General José R. Carballo, OFM, in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.
In addition to the central theme of the Chapter, “Franciscan Novitas: Mission and Witness,” that was presented by Carol Gentile, SFO, and Lester Bach, OFM Cap., other important presentations can also be mentioned: the report of the Minister General of the SFO, the report of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants, a presentation of the results of the demographic survey, a practical interpretation of article 53.5 of the General Constitutions, five testimonies on “how to live our mission and offer our witness in diverse continents and cultures,” a report on emerging fraternities, the actual state of “Franciscan youth as collaborators and coworkers in the mission of the SFO,” the approbation of motion regarding the situation of the SFO in Italy the method in which the CIOFS Presidency is dealing with this in relation to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and, finally, an “analysis of the economic situation of the SFO and a revision of the agreement made at the Chapter of Madrid” and the possibility of finding new criteria for contributions to CIOFS. The study and analysis of the various themes were done in linguistic groups: two Spanish groups, two English groups, an Italian group, a French group, and a German group.
At the conclusion of the Chapter the following message was sent to all the fraternities spread throughout the world:
(Assisi, November 12, 2005)
From Assisi, the city of St. Francis, where the members of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order are assembled to celebrate the XI General Chapter, we greet our brothers and sisters throughout the world and send them this message, in the intent to share with them this experience of fraternal communion and the basic ideas of the Chapter. The present Chapter was held in the year we celebrate two important anniversaries: 40th Anniversary of the Vatican Council II and 800th Anniversary of the revelation of the San Damiano Crucifix to St. Francis.
The keynote theme of the Chapter, “Novitas Franciscana”: Mission and Testimony, set before us the figure of our founder St. Francis of Assisi in all his originality and credibility, therefore we felt it our duty to renew our commitment to fully live the mission entrusted to us by the Lord and to testify His Love for mankind and all living creatures. The Chapter strongly questioned us on the following points:
The Franciscan identity finds its essence in the Franciscan novitas. What novelty did St. Francis bring to his days and what novelty can the SFO and the entire Franciscan Family bring to the world of today? The return to the Gospel and to a life fully conformed to it, fraternity amongst all men and women and towards all living creatures, service based on love.
The secular identity of the SFO is a fundamental point of our vocation and is manifested in the mission and testimony of each one of its members and fraternities. We are called to build a new, just and fraternal world, contributing to the Kingdom of God (SFO General Constitutions 3,2), with courageous initiatives and actions in the concrete situations we live in, never forgetting the importance of confident and persevering prayers.
It is the duty of all of us to comply with what our Rule requests of us and to be an enlightening sign for the entire Church and the society of the 21st century. The sense of belonging to the Order cannot be restricted to a vague sensation, but must be visibly manifested in a concrete and effective behaviour.
A necessary sign of conscientious participation in the resources and obligations of the Fraternities must also be an enhanced and responsible sensitivity towards the financial situation of the SFO family. The present financial crisis of the International Fraternity must be felt and attended to by each national, regional and local Fraternity.
YouFra shares the responsibility of the SFO and participates in its common mission. These young Franciscan brothers and sisters are a great gift of the Lord to our Order and to the entire Franciscan Family. They live their “call” in their own way and we are invited to welcome them generously, open-mindedly and open-heartedly, accompany them and help them with our testimony of reciprocal love and coherent Franciscan life.
The sense of identity of the SFO, of belonging to the SFO and of being co-responsible for the SFO increases if supported by careful and coherent initial and permanent formation and is developed in the privileged environment of the local Fraternities.
If we commit ourselves to live in a spirit of authentic fraternity every day, we will give testimony of living according to the Gospel. Only in this way will we be able to contribute to renovating our society and the Church of our days, like St. Francis and St. Clare did in their days.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us go ahead courageously and loyally to rebuild our Order, the Church and the world!
In the name of all our brothers and sisters,
Encarnación del Pozo
Minister General
Anna Maria Crescenti e Francesco Crescenti
Secretaries General