NEWS General Assistant: Fr. Ivan Matic ofm - email: secfran@ofm.org Tel. +39-0668491314 Assisi. From the 25th July till the 6th August 2001 there was a significant event for many young Franciscans from various parts of Europe. The experience of the Franciscan March to Assisi in Italy has a great tradition and a strong experience in youth pastoral activity. This year, it had been wanted to organise, with the help of the national centre of the FYM assisted by the OFM, the participation of other European youth in order to share in this extraordinary experience. The youth of 12 European countries, guests of the Italian youth in various Franciscan Provinces of the OFM, were present and walked to Assisi. From the 4th of August on, the meeting continued in an atmosphere of friendship and sharing. The presence of the Minister General of the OFM, Br. Giacomo Bini, and his intervention on the topic "The face of the young European Franciscan" was an occasion to offer the young Franciscans a testimony and to provoke dialogue. Br. Ivan Matic, Assistant General, was there on behalf of the Presidency of the CIOFS. Another very beautiful moment for the participants was the presence and testimony of the young members of the Focolari of the community St. Egidio and of the young Somascos. With them the most beautiful gift was lived: to be together and together give testimony to the things that God has done and continues to do in our midst. Porto. The II European Congress of Franciscan Youth took place in Porto, Portugal, from the 7th to the 12th August 2001. Organised by the Presidency of CIOFS and the national Centre of SFO-FYM of Portugal, the meeting was held in a very fraternal and beautiful climate. Some fifty young Franciscans from various European countries with their assistants were present. The welcome and organisation on the part of the Franciscan Youth of Portugal for the duration was stupendous. Present on behalf of the Presidency of the CIOFS were Emanuela De Nunzio, Minister General, and Br. Ivan Mati_, OFM, Assistant General to the SFO. This second Congress of the European FY wished to be a meeting for sharing and reflection on the situation of the Franciscan Youth in Europe and also a new spur to tie in the young Franciscans on the common path of faith. On the final day, 12th August, the X National Meeting of the FY – SFO of Portugal was held with a great participation by the young Franciscans from all the Fraternities of Portugal.