A new group of missionaries
   go to Brussels

At the beginning of September 2002, the fraternity of "Notre Dame des Nations" received its second group of new missionaries that are preparing for the projects of the Order.

The group is composed of four missionaries, who will go to Morocco: Br. Gabriele Sabolla (Italy), Br. Ivica Pavlovic (Bosnia), Br. Luis Augusto Lessa Ferreira (Brazil) and Br. Symeon Stachera (Poland). The fraternity also prepared a collection of documents for them on the presence of the Church and of the Friars Minor in Morocco, under the title of "Les Franciscains au Maroc, à la renconte de l’autre". The other missionaries in the group are Br. Gregory Pontus Florinus (an Indonesian destined for Thailand), Br. Michele Impignatiello (an Italian for Congo-Brazzaville), Br. Iscar Perez (an Argentinean for Zimbabwe) and Br. Roberto Bellato (an Italian for China).

The formation began on the 10^th September and the first part will last until the end of December. Then some will continue in Brussels while the others will complete their preparation in their country of mission.

The principal aim is to prepare the missionaries to live in an inter-cultural fraternity and to help them assume the vision of the Church and the Franciscan spirit of mission. There are sessions programmed during this period on the history and theology of mission, on the Franciscan vision, history and spirituality of mission, on the missionary projects of the Order, on inculturation, dialogue and justice and peace. The whole period will be opened and closed with two retreats on the "missionary vocation" and on the unity between "contemplation and mission" respectively.

The fraternity of "Notre Dame des Nations" has been enriched recently by other members appointed by the Minister General. At the moment, it is composed of the following Friars: Br. Vincenzo Brocanelli (Italy), Br. François-Régis Fine (France), Br. Basilio de Rezende (Brazil), Br. Francisco Acevez (Mexico), Br. Steve Suding (USA), Br. Benoit-Michel Amoussou (Togo) and Br. Pierre Nguyen Van Qui (Vietnam).

 Bruxelles