WARSAW - From 12 to 18 October, the 4th Assembly of the Union of Friars Minor of Europe (UFME) was held at Kostancin, near Warsaw, Poland. 58 of the 60 Ministers Provincial participated along with the Minister General and General Definitorium. The motto of the UFME Assembly was: Annuntiantes Pacem (heralds of peace). With the young friars, pilgrims to Europe. The Young Friars Operative Committee (made up of a friar from each of the six Conferences) was also present for this. The Committee presented to the Assembly the results of the questionnaire that was sent to the young friars of Europe about the "Union of Friars Minor of Europe, the Friar and Fraternity of 2000, Proposals for the future." Over a thousand friars had responded to the questionnaire.

The themes of the 4th Assembly
Other themes of the 4th Assembly besides the report by the young friars, were the reports by the president of the UFME, fr. J. Carballo, of the secretary, fr. T. Vetrali, and of Mons. Aldo Giordano (secretary of the Council of the Episcopal Conference of Europe) on "Europe and Christianity." In addition, the whole of the day of the 15th of October was dedicated to dialogue with fr. Giacomo, some of the General Definitors and officials of the General Curia.

Telegram to the Pope
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his pontificate, the Assembly sent John Paul II the following telegram: "The OFM Ministers provincial of Europe, the Minister General, and General Definitorium gathered at Warsaw-Konstancin to reflect on the theme"With the young friars, pilgrims to Europe", send best wishes and congratulations from His own beloved Poland for twenty tears of service as bishop of Rome and universal shepherd of the Church of God. They praise the Lord for having called Him to the Petrine service. They express to His Holiness their admiration and gratitude for His untiring journeying, inviting men and women from all over the world to open the door to Christ. As a gift for the 20th anniversary of His pontificate, they offer the readiness of the Friars Minor to be heralds of the Gospel and instruments of peace according to the 'spirit of Assisi' in Europe and beyond. Please bless us and all the Franciscans of Europe."

The new UFME council
The new permanent council of the UFME elected on the 18th of October is composed of the president, fr. Angelo Stellini; vice president, fr. Giorgio Reider; and members: fr. Walter Verhelst, fr. Martin Miguel Vallecillo, fr. Stane Zore, fr. Matthieu Smolders, and fr. Jozef Czura.

VATICAN - On Sunday, the 25th of October, in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II declared fr. Antonio de Sant'Anna Galvao, Brazilian of the Province of the Immaculate Conception, to be blessed.

The newly beatified (1739-1822) had lived a life dedicated with love and devotion to the poor and afflicted, to the sick and the slaves of his day in Brazil. The Holy Father called him "a fervent worshiper of the Eucharist, a teacher and defender of Christian charity, a prudent counselor for the spiritual life, and a defender of the poor."

In an audience given to the numerous Brazilian pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square, John Paul II added that fr. Galvao, the first native Brazilian to be beatified, could be called "the sweetness of God."

ROME - From September 6 to October 4, the first course for Friar Minor formators was held at the Antonianum in Rome, organized by the General Secretariate for Formation and Studies of the Order. This year the course was offered in Italian and Spanish. Present were 35 formators from Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Spain, Egypt, Italy, Ireland, Lithunia, Mexico, Mozabique, Poland, Portugal, and the Holy Land. The themes were presented by 24 experts and divided into three major areas (sociological, spiritual-Franciscan, and psycho-pedagogical). In addition, the participants visited Assisi, LaVerna, and Rieti. The course concluded on October 4 at the General Curia with the celebration of the Transitus of Saint Francis and dinner with the fraternity.

* From 20-23 January the Ministers provincial elected in 1998 will gather with the General Definitorium at the General Curia.

* The Secretary General for Formation and Studies informs us that the second course for OFM formators will take place at the Antonianum in Rome in September of 1999 in German, French, and English. Registration should be made at the office of the Secretary General.

* For the second time the JPSC Commission of the Brazilian Conference had a two week course on JPSC, open to the friars. The meeting was held in July.

* From 17-24 November in North Andover, Massachusetts (USA) there a meeting of the International Council for formation and studies was held. In addition to the information offered by representatives of the Conference, the participants studied two themes: the "Ratio Studiorum," and the objectives and content for the next International Congress of vocation directors to be held in the year 2000.

* 15 November the General Definitorium and the General Council of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary studied together the theme of Evangelization.

* The Episcopal Conference of Taiwan sponsored the realization of the "Internet" site which contains the whole Bible in Chinese, translated by the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum of Hong Kong. The site is: http://www.catholic.org.tw

* Fr. Antonio Garcia Huerta, of the Province of the Holy Gospel, Mexico has been named assistant judge of the Interdiocesan Ecclesiastical Tribunal and Metropolitan of Mexico, DF.

* 8 November 1998, the Biblical Institute of Jerusalem celebrated their 75th anniversary.

* Fr. Ciro Stanzione, secretary of the Italian OFM Conference appointed to take charge of the sector of "Evangelization" and promoter of the Missions "ad Gentes" of the Italian Conference of Major Superiors. The restructuring of the CISM Office is expected to be in four areas: evangelization, solidarity, culture, and promotion of the consecrated life.

KIVUMU - 13 September 1998 was an exceptional Sunday for the fraternity in Rwanda and for the parish of Kivumu. For the first time, three young Rwandans, fr. Aimable Bizimungu, fr. Florent Rugigana and fr. Aloys Kizimana, and a young Burundian friar Louis-Marie Randerembako have made solemn profession in Rwanda, into the hands of Minister provincial, friar Jacques St. Yves. Friar Kizito Ngomanzungu and friar Joseph Bishyanuka, and the Burundian friar Joseph Ntahompagaze, became the first professed Rwandans in Uganda in the chapel of the Poor Clares of Mbarara, 11 August, 1994, after having survived the war and the genocide.

At Kivumu, there were about twenty friars from the Vice-Province of Nairobi, others coming from neighboring countries, some diocesan priests, and many sisters from diverse congregations. The whole Franciscan family present in Rwanda participated together with all the parishioners. The Mass was presided over by the vicar provincial, friar Nicodeme Kibusehose, in the local language, Kinyrwanda. During the celebration (anim ated by song and local dance, which were very moving) the newly professed received the Bible, the Rule, and the General Constitutions and a walking stick for their journey as a sign of their availability and itinerancy.

After the assassination of friar Vjeko, the new professions brought back life and hope to the parish of Kivumu and the Franciscan presence in Rwanda.

ASSISI - October 5, 1998, at the Sacro Convento of the Friars Minor Conventual, an historical event took place. The Ministers General of the First Order and of the TOR's met together with the General Definitories of the four families and the General Secretaries. The Ministers General wanted the meeting for two reasons: first of all, to get to know and dialogue with the friars that fulfill the services of animating and governing the different families. The second reason was to offer to the Franciscan families the possibility to celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Francis together. The meeting began at 9:30 am at the tomb of St. Francis with a time of simple yet intense prayer, based on the Writings of Francis and concluding with the kiss of peace by all the participants (about 50). Within the Sacro Convento a meeting followed in which each of the participants was invited to introduce himself. The four Ministers General gave their own reflections, each with a brief sharing on the theme of the governing and animating the Order.

Exchanges focused on the task of general government in reference to the animation of the friars. The discussion continued until 1 pm. in six small groups, formed by friars of the different families. After lunch, offered by the fraternity of the Sacro Convento, the meetings resumed at 3pm with a plenary assembly and feed-back from the groups. At 5 pm, in the Lower Basilica, friar Augustine Gardin, Conventual Minister General, presided over a solemn celebration to which all the members of the Franciscan family of Umbria had been invited.

The Basilica was full of friars, sisters, and secular Franciscans, as joy and great participation animated the celebration. After light refreshments at 7 pm, the participants bade farewell to each other and returned home. All were plesed with the sense of fraternity among the four different families and they expressed the desire to repeat the experience at other levels (provincial, local, regional) with similar encounters.

The Holy Father has nominated Mons. Manuel Valarezo Luzuriaga, OFM, apostolic prefect of the Galapagos, Ecuador (OR, Sept. 30, 1998) member of the special assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Oceania.

The Holy Father also nominated Mons. Claudio Hummes, OFM, archbishop of Saint Paul, Brazil member of the Committee of Presidency of the Pontifical Council.

At the hermitage of Montepaolo, the General Definitorium completed an evaluation of its first year of service. Can you offer us your impressions?

The first year, as a whole, can be considered a positive one. There is a great desire in the friars from all the continents to renew their own Franciscan lives according to the suggestions of the General Chapter. We also must note the warm welcome we received during our visits.

In addition, we are journeying as a Definitorial fraternity in communion with the offices of the Curia. We have a steady path of balance in view between the study of the problems and the implementation of the mandates of the General Chapter, animation and administration.

You've just visited various places and encountered many friars. What are your impressions? What are the problems and the hopes of the friars?

My experience is very limited, given my short time of service and the placesI've visited. However, I can still attempt some evaluation. We have so many wonderful friars with rich, diverse gifts and talents. The Order is truly alive. Nevertheless, we have not managed to share these treasures among ourselves, we have not collaborated as we should. The provincialism and individualism that have stigmatized us for many years do not die easily. In a world that has become a "global village" with "uncontrolled" communication that can penetrate and do violence wherever it is, it is a serious matter to close ourselves off or refuse to open up to one another and understand each other.

The worst problem, however, I think would be the lack of clarity over our own identity, which should be understood as a joyous and authentic following of Christ, living the Gospel together in earnest. This is truly the challenge to which we are called to respond. In this regard, it is necessary to re-examine our structures, our ministries, and our commitments. This goal cannot be realized without an authentic and distinctive initial and on-going formation program. Indeed, how can we convince and interest the young friars and the not-so-young friars that this is a priority on which our future depends?

Clearly it is a question of theoretical and practical formation, involving our relationship with God, with others, and with the world, which our documents call for.

Also connected to the issue of formation is the problem of the honest discernment of young vocations and the necessity of journeying with the young friars for some years after solemn profession.

But the dynamism of the brothers is not dead, only sleeping. As we reawaken the enthusiasm for our vocations, by making God our priority, our charism will make itself a very strong alternative value for the world today. Without a doubt, we will know how to make an impression, finding the language to express our religious experience. We have the grace of having Saint Francis, as a very real brother. If we can only find a little bit of creativity to refound ourselves as an evangelical fraternity, we will venture forth on the Word of God!

Based on your brief experience as Minister of the universal fraternity, could you tell us if news is circulating between the entities and the center of the Order and vice versa? What would you suggest to improve the exchange of information with regard to our life?

News does circulate but not enough. In some very small areas, it is not circulating. In such cases the animating fraternity of Rome remains a world apart. The friars themselves are asking for greater communication, for more news. They're asking to hear about the positive experiences of other friars.

Still, we haven't yet invested much by way of means or personnel to foster greater communication. I'm especially waiting for more proposals from the Office of Communication. These will be submitted to the General Definitorium in order to facilitate the growth of a new mentality in this regard.

With regard to "Fraternitas" and the "Internet," what specifically would you like to read there?

The Internet has done a great deal to improve dialogue. But how many have access to it? Certainly not the poorest. In any case, both "Fraternitas" and the "Internet" could have and should have a very important function in the Order, as instruments of communion between the friars of the world. And this goes beyond communication. It involves knowing each other, respecting each other, and appreciating each other reciprocally. It could also be of great value to the General Definitorium for the animation of the Order. In addition to that, such a means of communication could create a sense of belonging to the universal fraternity.

We are disconnected. At times, one has the impression that we have no father, no mother... We don't know to whom we belong.

What would I like to read about? The life and experience of the friars of the various entities, particularly with regard to the priorities of the Order, since it seems to me that these priorities have been well received and have circulated rather swiftly (only one or two Conferences were dela yed in disseminating them). They've become the object of study in almost all the Provinces or Conferences.

The Custody of the Holy Land celebrated the 50th anniversary of the stable presence of the friars there and the foundation of the "Terra Sancta College" in Amman, Jordan. At the beginning of the celebration, the "Centro Culturale" with its 514 seat auditorium was inaugurated, as well as another large room that will serve for academic meetings and the like. The opening of an art exhibition by students of the "Terra Sancta College" and the march of the "scouts" with a musical band was presided over by Princess Bassama and transmitted over national Jordanian television. A concert of classical music in the new auditorium, by the Musical Academy of Jordan and directed by fr. Elias Kesseroini, crowned the celebration. The Franciscans are present also at Mt. Nebo. In both places they are preparing themselves to receive numerous pilgrims for the jubilee year 2000.

MONTREAL - From 23 to 25 September, the Minister General made a fraternal visit to the province of Saint Joseph, in Canada.

Friar Giacomo recalled the Priorities of the Order, emphasizing the experience of God and fraternal life as the means of provincial renewal, to arrive at a (non-individualistic) "fraternal holiness" and to speak an authentic, good word for our times. The Minister also highlighted the need to enculturate Franciscan life. Friar Sean Collins, General Definitor, discussed the fraternal plan of the General Curia, with its focus on work, prayer, and sharing.

The friars who celebrate their jubilees this year participated at the Eucharist presided over by the Minister, as well as the representatives of the 18 branches of the Franciscan family and the guardians of some of the Franciscan houses.

In the morning of September 24, friar Giacomo met with the members of the Definitorium, and later shared a meal with the friars of the small fraternities, inviting them to take seriously their voluntary renunciation of goods, their spirit of itinerancy, and their audacious missionary call.

Before leaving, the Minister visited the friars of the provincial infirmary.

MILAN - From 12 to 15 October, the second international Convention of OFM publishing houses met in Milan at the friary of St. Angelo and the Franciscan Library Editions. 20 publishing houses from all over the world were present. The way for a Franciscan International Bookstore in Assisi was paved. The province of Umbria has enthusiastically welcomed the proposal which was born at the first Convention of OFM publishers and supported by the Minister General. The International Bookstore will be based in the friary of the Portiuncola and will be opened in 1999 when the repairs of the damage caused by the earthquake are completed. The Convention discussed the ways of organizing the International Association of OFM Publishers, with its own structure and solidarity to support the OFM publishing houses in difficulty and promote a greater unity of collaboration. An atmosphere of true fraternity, solidarity, and collaboration reigned, with the commitment to maintain frequent contact, through ordinary means and through the "Internet" for an exchange of books, of rights, of information, and of initiative.

Fr. Santiago Agrelo M. (prov. Santiago, Spain) for the International fraternity of Saint Anthony at Rome.

Fr. Agostino Buccoliero (prov. Assumption, Lecce) for the Roman province of Saints Peter and Paul.

Fr. Miguel Kellett (vice-prov. S. Benedict, Brazil) for the vice-province of the Seven Joys, Brazil.

Fr. Manoel Blanco Rodríguez (prov. S. Gregory the Great, Spain) for the province of the Holy Gospel, Mexico.

Fr.Carmelo Finocchiaro (Sicilian prov. of the Holy Name) for the province of the Assumption, Lecce.

Fr. Fidel de Lira Martínez (prov. S. Francis and S. James, Mexico) for the province of Saints Peter and Paul, Mexico.

Fr. Aldo la Neve (Roman prov.) for the province of Holy Name, Sicily.

Fr. Gonzalo Ferrero Blanco (prov. S. Francis Solanus, Peru) for the province of Murcia, Spain.

Fr. Dismas Bonner (prov. Holy Name, USA) for the province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, USA.

Fr. Stephen Bliss, 37 years old, was elected Minister provincial of the province of the Holy Spirit, Australia.

Fr. Romain Mailleux, former vicar general, director of the Quaracchi Editions, was nominated as Guardian at Grottaferrata.