NEWS Croazia - Slovenia: 3rd European Congress of Young Franciscans (http://www.ofm.hr/youfra/english) “Together with St. Francis” was the theme of the 3rd European Congress of Young Franciscans which took place from the 17th to the 23rd of August, 2003, and was celebrated in two different countries: in Croatia from the 17th to the 20th and in Slovenia from the 20th to the 23rd. Taking part in the meetings were 40 young representatives of the “GiFra” (Franciscan Youth) fraternity from: Portugal, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Lithuania, and Croatia. Representing the CIOFS presidency was Encarnación del Pozo, general Minister of SFO; Xavi Ramos, International Councilor to GiFra; and two general Assistants, Br. Valentin Redondo, OFMConv., and Br. Ivan Matic, OFM. Welcomed by the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Zagreb, Mons. Josip Mrzljak, also a member of SFO, the participants of the 3rd Congress enjoyed the following program from the 17th to the 20th of August, which included two presentations: Encarnación del Pozo - "The SFO Rule as a document of inspiration for the GiFra"; Xavi Ramon - "The GiFra in Europe and in the world"; Meeting with the SFO leader for Croatia; Pilgrimage to the Marian sanctuary of Trsat-Rijeka, where Mass was celebrated with Br. Ivan Matic as presider; Historic visit of the city of Zagreb, Croatia’s capital; Closing Eucharist, with Mons. Josip Mrzljak as presider, in the church of St. Francis, with a large number of Croatian SFO and GiFra members and as well as their spiritual assistants. The second phase of the Congress took place in Slovenia, in different places and in different ways, from August 20th to 23rd. Some highlights of this phase were the meeting with the Slovenian GiFra at Ptuj; the pilgrimage to Nazarje to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the death of St. Clare with the Poor Clare sisters; the visit to the grotto of Postina; the day of study and reflection on the themes “The European GiFra towards World Youth Day 2005 in Colon” (Ivan Matic) and “The vocation and the mission of the GiFra” (Br. Valentin Ridondo, OFMConv.); and the plenary session on the last day with concluding proposals regarding the life and mission of the European GiFra, particularly in preparation for World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne. (Pictures) Great Britain: National Capital of SFO An Elective Chapter of SFO of Great Britain was held in Wimbeldon September 6 – 8. The chapter was presided over by Doug Clorey, International Councilor of SFO and attended by Ivan Matic, OFM, general Assistant of SFO. At this meeting, Mary McCormick was elected the new national Minister. Two things that were particularly highlighted during the chapter’s work were the need to promote the Franciscan vocation especially among the young people and the importance of having collaboration by the brothers of the first Order with regard to formation of the young Franciscans. Romania: Seminar for the Assistants of SFO A formation course for the general Assistants of SFO took place in Romania, in the city of Oradea, from 29 September to 2 October 2003. About 20 friars of the first Order (OFM, OFMConv and OFMCap) attended. The main speakers were: Wilhelmina Visser-Pelsma, International Councilor of SFO; Margaret Merters, member of the German SFO; and general Assistants Br. Valentin Ridondo, OFMConv, Br. Samy Irudaya, OFMCap, and Br. Ivan Matic OFM. The goal of the formation seminar was to offer the SFO Assistants the possibility of deepening their understanding of the following: aspects of the SFO spirituality, responsibility of the spiritual Assistant with regard to SFO, the new Statute for assistance, the formation of spiritual assistance, and practical aspects of GiFra. Perù - Fraternal Visit and National Chapter of SFO Encarnación del Pozo, general Minister of SFO, along with general Assistants Br. Valentin Redondo, OFMConv, and Br. Ivan Matic, OFM, visited the Fraternity of SFO in Perù and participated in the extraordinary Chapter of that fraternity. From the 14th to the 17th of October, the Visitator met with many brothers and sisters; including the Fraternity of the region of Lima-Callao, the national Council of SFO from Peru, the spiritual Assistants of SFO, and the Provincial Ministers of the first Order responsible for assistance to SFO/GiFra. “Called to live in Fraternity” was the motto of the extraordinary chapter from the 17th to the 19th of October. Representatives from eight regional Fraternities of Peru and many young Franciscans participated. The general Minister’s and general Assistants’ reflections on the Rule of SFO, the role of the spiritual Assistant according to the Statute for assistance, as well as the challenges and the prospective for SFO/GiFra of Peru for the new millennium, seemed to be a great help to the chapter participants.