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NOVEMBER 2015VOLUME XLVIII • EDITION 226

OFM International NewsFraternitas

“It seems important to read again and start a common reflection on the Encyclical Laudato si’ that Pope Francis direct-ed to us last Pentecost “on the care of the common home”. We feel doubly called to task: as people of good will, because the successor of Peter chal-lenges all of us, and as

Franciscans, because references to Francis of Assisi abound in this text, even in its title. The Pope himself justifies this reference, saying: “I believe that Saint Francis is the ex-ample par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically” (n. 10). This idea of “integral ecology” that runs throughout the encyclical reminds us that the ecological problem

is not an issue of any sector, limited to the relationship with the environment in the strict sense, a sort of “gar-dening.” It regards a set of wide issues closely related to the problem of the environment, such as justice in social relationships, commitment to peace and respect for life.

Right relationships between individuals and peoples are reflected in a right relationship with the environment, while exploitation and injustice in human relations generate ex-ploitation and pollution of natural resources. When speak-ing of “integral ecology” (the pope) is inviting us to this joint overview, to see the deep relationship that links pollution, water issues, climate change and loss of biodiversity with social degradation, deterioration of the quality of human life and the global inequities. The Pope explains the integral perspective of this ecology by manifesting the various ar-eas in which it develops and he closely links the economic and social in talking about environmental ecology, as well as linking cultural ecology to talk about daily life. The Pope especially invites Christians to an ‘ecological conversion’...”

His Holiness Pope Francis canonized St. Junipero Serra at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Con-ception, Washington, D.C., on September 23, 2015.

In His homily, the Pope said: “We are here today, we can be here today, because many people wanted to re-spond to that call. They believed that “life grows by be-ing given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort” (Aparecida Document, 360). We are heirs to the bold mis-sionary spirit of so many men and women who preferred not to be “shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security… within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving” (Evangelii Gaudium, 49). We are indebted to a tradition, a chain of witnesses who have made it possible for the good news of the Gos-pel to be, in every generation, both “good” and “news”.

Today we remember one of those witnesses who tes-tified to the joy of the Gospel in these lands, Father Juni-pero Serra. He was the embodiment of “a Church which goes forth”, a Church which sets out to bring everywhere the reconciling tenderness of God. Junipero Serra left his native land and its way of life. He was excited about blazing trails, going forth to meet many people, learn-ing and valuing their particular customs and ways of life. He learned how to bring to birth and nurture God’s life in the faces of everyone he met; he made them his brothers and sisters. Junipero sought to defend the dig-

The Feast of St. Francis: The Letter of the General Minister and Definitory

nity of the native community, to protect it from those who had mistreated and abused it, mistreatment and wrongs which today still trouble us, especially because of the hurt which they cause in the lives of many people.

Father Serra had a motto which inspired his life and work, not just a saying, but above all a reality which shaped the way he lived: siempre adelante! Keep moving forward! For him, this was the way to continue experienc-ing the joy of the Gospel, to keep his heart from grow-ing numb, from being anesthetized. He kept moving forward, because the Lord was waiting. He kept going, because his brothers and sisters were waiting. He kept going forward to the end of his life. Today, like him, may we be able to say: Forward! Let’s keep moving forward!”

THE CANONIZATION OF ST. JUNIPERO SERRA, OFM

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OTHER NEWSThe Franciscan celebration of the canonization of Junipero Serra

The Minister General presided at the Mass of Thanksgiving for the can-onization of Junipero Serra at the Shrine of the Custody of the Holy Land in Washington, D.C., on Sep-tember 24th. Various Franciscans and the Bishop of Majorca, the birth place of the new saint, participated.

Angelo Radaelli, killed 10 years agoThe Friars of the Foundation of “Our Lady of Africa”, Congo/Brazzaville, and many guests, wished to remem-ber the murder of Br. Angelo Radaelli, which took place on September 12, 2005 so that others would know him and remain in communion with him, at the Centre which welcomes young men seeking refuge and hope. The ceremony consisted of the blessing of a large green iron cross made by the young men, with an inscription commemorating the 10 years, and erected in the garden of the Centre; the blessing of the Chapel; and the celebration of Mass by the Nuncio.

The 400 years of the arrival of the “Recollect” Franciscans in Canada celebratedThe arrival of the Friars Minor Rec-ollect in Canada 400 years ago was solemnly commemorated. Four Rec-ollect Franciscans arrived, in 1615, to evangelize the indigenous people and to serve the French colonists. The 400th anniversary of their arriv-al was remembered through various initiatives: a symposium held at La-val University in Quebec; a Eucha-ristic celebration presided over by the Archbishop of Montreal and the Bishop of Trois-Rivières; conferences on the Recollects in Trois-Rivières and Montreal by Br. René Bacon, OFM, who contributed greatly to the

3rd and Saturday the 4th of April, 2015. The Franciscan Community, with the Guardian Br. Iko Skoko at its head, organized the Seder di Pesach for all the Jews of Mostar and their guests. The young Jews from all over the world who study at the United World College in Mostar also took part in the festival. The festival of Sed-er di Pesach began with prayer and congratulations. Erna Danon-Cipra, Vice-President of the Jewish com-munity of Mostar, said that the cel-ebration of Pesach, a central Jewish festival, at the Franciscan Convent of Sts. Peter and Paul, was a unique event and a great sign of inter-reli-gious dialogue in Mostar. She also thanked the Franciscans of Mostar for this great gift to the Jews, but also for the great sign of inter-religious di-alogue and collaboration in the city on the Neretva! Mrs. Danon-Cipra expressed the hope that the inter-re-ligious dialogue would continue into the future!

The Dutch Franciscan Sebaldus Linders: “The Just Among the Na-tions”

The long list of “The Just Among the Nations”, drawn up by Yad Vashem, was enriched on the 9th of Septem-ber last with a new name, that of the Dutch Franciscan Sebaldus Linders (1907-1944), who, in the turbulent years of the Second World War, lis-tening to the voice of his conscience, knew how to make a courageous choice and openly aligned himself with the persecuted rather than re-main silently observing before his eyes the havoc perpetrated by the Nazis on the Jews. He opted to hide them in his parish of Alverna in Wi-jchen and in other surrounding areas so that at least seven children and various adults were saved.

publication of the Biographical Dic-tionary of the Recollect missionaries in New-France, edited by Bellarmin, in 1996.

Chapter of Mats in Canada

The Canadian entities of the OFM: the Province of St. Joseph (Eastern Canada); the Province of Christ the King (Western Canada); the Foun-dation of the Province of the Im-maculate Conception (Toronto); the Croatian Custody of the Holy Family (Chicago); and the Lithuanian Fran-ciscan Friars of Toronto, met with the Minister General, Br. Michael Perry, OFM, and the Definitor Gen-eral, Caoimhín Ó Laoide, OFM, from the 21st to the 22nd of September 2015, to celebrate their diversity of culture, but even more their commu-nion, and to share their stories and their common evangelical zeal. The bi-lingual (French and English) inter-provincial Chapter of Mats was orga-nized around the theme “Sharing our histories/Partager nos histoires” with the primary aim of building up frater-nal relations, but also of helping the Canadian Friars in their journey to-wards the restructuring and renewal of their life and mission in the land claimed by Champlain and at the ser-vice of the Canadian people.

The Jews celebrated in Mostar

The Jews of Mostar celebrated Pass-over (Pesach) at the Franciscan Con-vent of Sts. Peter and Paul of Mostar during the night between Friday the

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GIUSEPPE CASSIO - PIETRO MESSA, The food of Francis. Man also lives on bread [Il cibo di Francesco. Anche di pane vive l’uo-mo], Ediz. Terra Santa, Milan 2015, pp. 96.In the stream of publications on the theme of food that is becoming a flood (stimulated certainly by the Expo of Milan which stressed the topic of food) there is one which, we be-lieve, is outstanding for originality. The book-let (with fewer than 100 pages and an insert of

coloured pictures) introduces us to the relationship of Francis of Assisi to food. The popular image is that Francis led a life of privation, that he did not have the primitive need to nourish himself. The sources, in contrast, give us a picture of a Poverello who was “a healthy glutton”, a moderate connoisseur of good food which he appreciated as a gift and sign of joy.

PAOLAZZI, CARLO, A Reading of the Writ-ings of Francis of Assisi [Lettura degli Scritti di Francesco d’Assisi], 3rd Ed., Edizioni Bib-lioteca Francescana, Milan 2015, pp. 474.The author begins with an analysis of the Writ-ings of Francis of Assisi and ends up outlining a profile of fraternity and life “according to the form of the Holy Gospel”. The novelty of this new edition lies, above all, in the fact that the text of the Writings has been revisited on the

basis of the critical edition that appeared in 2009.

CACCIOTTI ALVARO and MELLI MARIA (edi-tors), The multiple Francis [Francesco plura-le], Edizioni Biblioteca Francescana, Milan 2015, pp. 217.The book gathers together the presentations given during the XII Historical Conference of Greccio, which was held in the Franciscan Sanctuary on the 9th and 10th of May 2014. It wishes to summarize the different suggestions, achievements and disciplinary legacies which

marked the interest in the figure of St. Francis during the last century.

TOMMASO DA CELANO, The Legend of St. Clare, Virgin [Leggenda di santa Chiara Vergine], Ediz. Paoline, Milan 2015, pp. 213.Drawing on the written and oral testimonies during the process of canonization, the author outlines the itinerary of Clare. The introduction, translation and notes are by Br. Marco Guida, OFM.

LECLERC ÉLOI, The Fraternity in Heritage. My life with Francis of Assisi. [La Fraternité en Héritage. Ma vie avec François d’Assise], Éditions Franciscaines, Paris 2015, pp. 207. It can be said that it is a question of the Testa-ment of the Franciscan Éloi Leclerc. Following a meeting with the author, various unedited texts of current interest, such as those about St. Francis and peace, ecology and the spiri-tual life, were presented. A CD with the most famous texts of Frère Éloi is included.

FRANCISCAN BOOKMARK

Il cibo di Francesco

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Anche di pane vive l’uomo

Giuseppe Cassio, storico dell’ar-te, ha al suo attivo libri, articoli e saggi apparsi su riviste, cataloghi e pubblicazioni specialistiche na-zionali e internazionali. In parti-colare si segnala: Dai Protomartiri francescani a sant’Antonio di Pado-va (2011), che ha curato insieme a Luciano Bertazzo.

Pietro Messa, frate minore, è pro-fessore di Storia del francescanesi-mo presso la Pontificia Università Antonianum di Roma. Tra le sue pubblicazioni: Frate Elia da Assisi a Cortona: storia di un passaggio (2005); Le fonti patristiche negli scritti di Francesco di Assisi (2006); Tra vita eremitica e predicazione. Il percorso di Francesco d’Assisi e della sua fraternità (2009).

Stando a quanto si racconta di san Francesco d’Assisi, pare che egli non avesse nulla a che fare con il bisogno primario di nutrirsi. Eppu-re anche nella sua vicenda umana è implicato il cibo: pane, focacce e cereali, erbe selvatiche, verdure e ortaggi, i mostaccioli a base di mandorle, miele e mosto d’uva, ma anche uova, formaggi, carne di maiale con i suoi derivati, pollo, pe-sce bianco o azzurro e pasticcio di gamberi, il suo preferito. Sono solo alcuni dei cibi che Fran-cesco impiega per sostentare il suo corpo e che sono raccontati negli episodi di questo libro, desunti dalle fonti francescane. Al di là di un’agiografia austera e mistica, Francesco ci appare come un “sano goloso”, un moderato estimatore di buon cibo, che sa apprezzare come dono e segno di letizia e di umile ringraziamento a Dio.

«E colui che mangia, non disprezzi chi non mangia, e chi non mangia,

non giudichi colui che mangia. E ogniqualvolta sopravvenga la necessità,

sia consentito a tutti i frati, ovunque si trovino, di servirsi di tutti i cibi che gli uomini

possono mangiare»(Regola non bollata IX,15-16)

Franciscan Books

NEW VISITATORS GENERAL:

BR. MICHAEL WOO of the PROV. OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF CHINA (TAIWAN) for the CUST. OF ST. FRANCIS (FENGXIANG - CINA)

BR. FRANCISCO OLIVER ALCÓN, of the PROV. OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (SPAIN) for the PROV. OF THE HOLY MARTYRS OF MOROCO (PORTUGAL)

BR. NIALL O’CONNELL of the PROV. OF IRELAND for the PROV. OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (USA)

BR. AMBROGIO NGUYEN VAN SI of the PROV. OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI (VIETNAM) for the PROV. OF CHRIST THE KING (CANADA)

BR. JAKAB VÁRNAI, of the PROV. OF MAGNA DOMINA HUNGARORUM (HUNGARY) for the CUST. OF THE HOLY LAND (ISRAEL)

BR. FABIO BERTI of the PROV. OF THE MOST HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL (ITALY) for the PROV. OF THE IMMACULATE CON-CEPTION OF THE BVM (ITALY)

BR. DYMITR ŽEGLIN (substituting for br. Jerzy W. sztyk) OF THE PROV. OF THE ASSUMP-TION OF THE BVM (POLAND) for the PROV. OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI (POLAND)

BR. JOHN GERRARD MOORE of the PROV. OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (CENTRAL AMERICA AND PANAMÁ) for the PROV. OF ST. FRANCIS SOLANO (ARGENTINA)

BR. GABRIEL NGGA of the CUST. OF ST. FRANCIS (WEST PAPUA) for the PROV. OF ST. MICHAEL ARCHANGEL (INDONESIA)

BR. GINO CORREA of the PROV. OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (USA) for the PROV.OF ST. PETER BAPTIST (PHILIPPINES)

BR. JESÚS HERNÁNDEZ MARTÍN (AssistAnt) of the PROV. OF THE IMMACULATEA CON-CEPTION (SPAIN) for the CUST. OF THE HOLY LAND (ISRAEL)

BR. GUIDO ZEGARRA PONCE of the PROV. OF THE XII APOSTLES (PERU) for the PROV. OF ST. FRANCIS OF QUITO (ECUADOR)

BR. DOMINIQUE JOLY of the PROV. OF BLES-SED JOHN DUNS SCOTUS (FRANCE-BEL-GIUM) for the CUST. OF MOROCCO

BR. FRANCISCO GEARÓID O’CONAIRE of the PROV. N.SRA DE GUADALUPE (CENTRAL AMERICA AND PANAMÁ) for the PROV. S. BARBARA (USA)

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SMALL NEWS

FRATERNITAS OFM International News - editore: OFM Communications Office eMail: fraternitas@ofm.org - tel: +39 0668491 339 - http://www.ofm.org/fraternitas - www.fb.com/ofm.org - @ofmdotorg

The new album of Br. Alessandro, “Voice of Peace”The “Voice of Peace”, the third album of Br. Alessandro, which com-pleted the trilogy of DCs recorded by Decca Records/Universal Music was launched on the 23rd of October 2015. These albums enshrine the universal message of St. Francis, the founder of the Order to which Br. Alessandro belongs. St. Francis announced Christ rather than him-self. He transmitted Joy and Peace to the world and always wished to give back and share the gifts he had received from God. Br. Alessan-dro, following the footprints of the saint, wishes to transmit the same message through his voice, the gift he received from Him. The “Voice of Assisi”, a debut album acclaimed by the critics, clearly echoes this message. Br. Alessandro then announced the birth of the Saviour in his second album, “Tu scendi dalle stelle” (You come down from the stars), and now proclaims the greeting of St. Francis - “May the Lord give you peace” – in his latest CD, “Voice of Peace” which was issued on the 23rd of October.

Calendar of the Minister General

November:1-6: MEXICO: Celebration of the 450th Anniversary of the foundation of the Province of Sts. Peter and Paul (Michoacan) 7: ROME, The General Curia of the Order of Preachers: The beginning of the celebrations for the Jubilee of the VIII Centenary9-20: ROME: Tempo FORTE 10: PUA: The Feast of John Duns Scotus 16-20: Meeting of Visitators General20: ROME, XXX International Conference of the Pontifical Council for Health Workers: Presentation. “Joy and peace, the basis of an ecological spirituality”23-24: ASSISI: XXXI Conference on Formation and Study – COMPI25-27: ROME: 86th Assembly of the Union of Superiors General (USG)28: ROME, Seraphicum: An inter-obedience meeting of the Friars of the Houses dependent on the Ministers General. 30: ROME, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples: Plenary Assembly

Florence – Franciscans and the First World WarA day of study on The Franciscans and the First World War was held in the Convent of St. Francis on the Via Antonio Giacomini, on the 24th of October 2015. Presentations were given by: R. Pertici (The political-re-ligious situation in Italy and Europe on the eve of the First World War); A. Guasco (The Franciscan Bishops and the First World War); G. Buffon (The Franciscans of the Holy Land and the First World War); L. Bertazzo (The Ve-netian Friars Minor Conventual and the Great War); G. Ingegneri (The Ve-netian Friars Minor Capuchin and the First World War); M. Odorizzi (Looking beyond the tragedy. The Friars Minor of the Italian Tyrol in the Great War); A. Maiarelli (The Tuscany Friars Minor and the First World War). M. Roncalli drew conclusions from the day of study.

J. Dalarun at the PUA, Rome A study seminar on ‘Thomas of Cel-ano, Vita beati patris nostri Francisci – Vita brevior,’ edited by Jacques Da-larun, under the auspices of the Su-perior School of Medieval and Fran-ciscan Studies (Pontifical University Antonianum) will be held at 15.00 hours on the 21st of April 2016. A discussion with Prof. J. Dalarun will follow presentations by Giovanni Paolo Maggioni, Felice Accrocca, Marco Guida and Filippo Sedda.

Feast-day of the Minister GeneralThe feast-day of the Minister Gener-al, Br. Michael A. Perry, OFM, was cel-ebrated with great solemnity in the General Curia on the occasion of the feast of the Archangels, the 29th of September. The Friars of the General Curia and of the houses dependent on the Minister General in Rome par-ticipated. Also present were: Br. Marco Tasca, Minister General OFMConv., Br. Mauro Jöhri, Minister General OFM-Cap., Br. Eligio Gelmini, OFM, of Mon-do X, Br. Agostino Esposito, OFM, Min-ister Provincial of Napoli-Caserta, Sr. Mary Melone, Rector of the PUA, and other religious women close to the house and some friends and benefac-tors of the Fraternity.

A week of formation in the General Curia

The Friars of the Curia met from the 5th to the 9th of October for the pro-gramming and orientation of the next six-year period. Two days were also dedicated to the theme “Methods and Instruments for Collaboration and Communication” coordinated by Dr. Mario Becciu.