Dear Brothers,
The Lord give you His Peace!

As promised in our letter of 4 October 1997, the Feast of Saint Francis, the General Definitorium has drawn up a presentation to assist in understanding the priorities for the sexennium 1997-2003. In drawing this up, the Definitorium was led by the conviction, already expressed by the General Chapter, that it is only by safeguarding the essential elements of our charism that we will have something to offer future generations.

The presentation, in the spirit of the decisions of the General Chapter, aims at being a means for animation of the life of individuals and of Fraternities, local and Provincial, in those options which are essential to the Franciscan charism according to the Rule and our Constitutions.

To achieve this object of animation, the presentation "Priorities for the Sexennium 1997-2003" requires examination in a climate of meditation and personal prayer before being shared in Fraternity. To facilitate sharing and reflection in common, there are indicated for each of the priorities some reference texts and then some questions are proposed.

Spirit of prayer and devotion; communion of life in fraternity; life in minority, poverty and solidarity; evangelization and mission; formation: all these are values which will permit the universal Fraternity to renew its fidelity to its original inspiration and respond adequately to the demands of the present time. The Holy Spirit who teaches all things and keeps alive the memoria of all that Jesus has said (cf. Jn 14:26), makes possible the discerning of the signs of the times and opens us to prophecy. "Following" and "life in the Spirit": fecundity for the present which is already open to the morrow.

Rome, 2 February 1998
Br. Giacomo Bini, O.F.M.
Minister General