Rome Opening of St. Elizabeth jubilee. On Friday November 17th, 2006 at 18:00 hours, at the St. Cosmos and Damian Basilica in Rome a solemn Eucharist was celebrated, as the official opening of the Eight Centenary of the birth of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Patroness of the Secular Franciscan Order and of the Third Order Regular. Concelebrating were Mons. Gianfranco Agostino Gardin, Secretary of the (Vatican) Congregation IVCSVA, Mons. Mons. Csaba Ternyák, Secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, First Order Minister Generals and TOR, Vicarious and Provincial Ministers, as well as many other priests. In the name of the SFO Encarnación del Pozo, General Minister was present, together with General Assistants and Rosa Galimberti, Italy National Minister; also National Assistants, and Spiritual Assistants from different local SFO and Franciscan Youth Fraternities, together with a good number of Secular Franciscans. Paczolay Balazs, Hungry National Minister, and International Councilor from Hungry, Tibor Kauser, were also present at this important event. During the homily, the Cardinal recalled the extraordinary figure of St Elizabeth, emphasizing among other aspects, her great love for God and the poor people always surrounding her. He has also recalled that this Saint has offered a splendid testimony of conjugal and motherhood love, transforming her testimony in an actual “message” for families of our time. At the end of this celebration, the Cardinal by the initiative of Italian Secular Franciscans, have presented a St.Elizabeth’s relic, which will be carried in pilgrimage throughout the whole year by the SFO and Franciscan Youth Fraternities, promoting during the jubilee year, her devotion and motivate a more profound knowledge of this attractive and current saint.
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