To Brother Gilbert Schneider,
Provincial Minister,

You are, in the words of the Letter to the Hebrews, "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1), our brothers who labored here to plant and water the seed of the Gospel, knowing that "neither the one who plants and the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1Cor 3:7).

The motto chosen for the Catholic Cuarto Centennial, "Seeds of Struggle, Harvest of Faith", aptly mirrors the work of those early friars with the native peoples of this region. The enduring lanted here since 1598, and for two hundred years Franciscan friars were the only clergy ministering to the people.

You are also remembering with joy and gratitude the founding, one hundred years ago, of Saint Michaelās Mission among the Navajo by friars of Saint John the Baptist Province, an event which marked the return of Franciscans after a fifty year absence, and the beginning of what would come to be Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.

Yours is a young Province, but its roots are deep and strong. You are, in the words of the Letter to the Hebrews, "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1), our brothers who labored here to plant and water the seed of the Gospel, knowing that "neither the one who plants and the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1Cor 3:7).

The motto chosen for the Catholic Cuarto Centennial, "Seeds of Struggle, Harvest of Faith", aptly mirrors the work of those early friars with the native peoples of this region. The enduring legacy of their endeavors is still to be seen. As you celebrate the beginnings of the Catholic faith in New Mexico you are thanking God for his goodness and discharging a debt of gratitude to those who preached the faith and those who embraced it. And you are also renewing a commitment to continue the great work, to plant the seed by your diligent labors in the expectation of the Lordās harvest.

The establishment of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe was a most significant moment in the Franciscan history of New Mexico. It consolidated and gave a focus to the life and ministry of the friars, providing them with the freedom to adapt their Franciscan life to the conditions and demands of this area and time, while drawing from the deep well of the regionās Franciscan tradition. Last yearās General Chapter in Assisi took as its theme "Memory and Prophecy" ö being in touch with the richness of our past so as to be people who make a difference today and tomorrow. This year of celebration should be for you in a special way a "memory" of the gifts God has granted through many faithful friars in the past, and a daring stance of "prophecy" towards the needs and challenges of a new millennium.

I strongly suggest to you that you undertake, as part of your celebration, to become familiar individually, as local fraternities and as a Province, with the priorities highlighted by the General Chapter and outlined by the General Definitory in the text "The Priorities of the Order 1997-2003". A sincere Province-wide effort to implement these priorities will be the most appropriate celebration of the cuarto centennial and the most effective guarantee of your future. Friars who are solidly rooted in contemplation, who live as real brothers to one another and who are free of encumbrances will be friars whose lives will speak to all who encounter them, and whose ministry will bear fruit.

This has always been the strength of authentic Franciscanism. Our Father Francis tells us in the Rule how to behave: "I counsel, warn and urge my brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ that when they go among the people they do not quarrel or bicker or criticize others. Rather it is their duty to be mild, peaceful and unassuming, calm and humble; and their words, no matter with whom they are speaking, must always be respectful of the other person· Into whatever house they enter, let them first say: ĪPeace to this houseā·" (RegB 3.10-13). The friars who first ministered to the peoples of this region were respectful of their culture and customs, and preached as much by their lives as by their words. We friars of today need to revisit the sources of our spirituality so as to be true to these same priorities and values, in the knowledge that, if anything, they are more appreciated today than in the past. The statement of the 1997 Chapter and the priorities outlined by the General Definitory provide us with secure guidelines towards achieving this.

In the name of the whole Order I offer you congratulations, and pray that the cuarto centennial celebrations will be a time of grace for all. My thoughts and prayers will be with you especially on April 30 as you remember the 400^th anniversary of the Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by the friars and settlers who had crossed the Rio Grande in 1598, and on October 4 as Archbishop Sheehan and the faithful of Santa Fe Archdiocese give thanks for the ministry of the Franciscans in New Mexico. May the Lord bless these celebrations and all the celebrations of this special year.

I send to you, Brother Gilbert, and to all the friars, Poor Clares, Franciscan religious and Secular Franciscans associated with the Province, my warmest good wishes and the blessing of our Father Saint Francis.

Your brother,

Giacomo Bini. OFM
Minister General