In various parts of the world the Friars Minor Franciscans welcome young men who want to enter this life and offer them a formation to Franciscan life and service. We want this to take place in their own country and culture. At times it is a challenge to realize this goal because of needs and costs. Several local Franciscan formation programs are situated in special circumstances.

When religious freedom returned to Albania the Church was welcomed by the people. Candidates sought to enter religious communities and the priesthood. In 1997 1998 the Friars have some 50 candidates in various stages of the formation program. For us October 4, 1997, is a very special day, because for the first time in over "fifty years we celebrated the solemn profession of Albanians in Albania, as three friars pronounced their final vows.

The 90's will be remembered as a decade of restoration as the Church emerged again in an open but troubled society. At first, attention was given to urgent pastoral concerns and the most basic necessities for the formation of priests and religious. Now we are seeking to provide better programs and facilities. In 1998, the Minister Provincial proposes to continue the program of renewing the facilities of the house for the simply professed friars by revamping the water and sewage system at the cost of LIT 176.000.000 (approximately US$ 100,000). The cost for the support of each student continues to be approximately LIT 1.300.000 (US$ 750) per annum.

The Order is experiencing a rebirth in Cuba As 1998 began, 2 temporarily professed friars, 6 postulants who are to begin their novitiate later this year and 5 candidates joined the 18 professed friars. Formation is the number one priority of the fraternity. Two young Cuban friars are preparing for service as instructors. The venerable Convent of the Holy Cross from before the socialist government is to be renovated as the novitiate over the next two years at the cost of LIT 210.000.000 (US$ 120.000). The recent visit of Pope John Paul II was a great stimulus to this renewal.

Imagine a religious community in which more than 75% of the members are in the formation program! That is the case in the ViceÑProvince of Saint Benedict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire). For each of the 120 candidates we need about US$ 1,000 (LIT 1.700.000) per annum. Looking to the future the Fraternity is taking steps to insure a corps of competent guides and professors for the training of its young members.

Six friars are pursuing graduate studies in theology. For each one a scholarship of $5,000 (LIT 8.500.000) is sought. On another level the ViceÑProvince needs to renovate the house of the postulants for a cost of $25,000 (LIT 42.500.000). The economic condition of the Country does not permit the local Church to make a significant contribution towards these expenses.

In Egypt Christians are in a minority, and within this minority Catholics are in a minority. The Friars Minor have played a significant role in the Egyptian Church since 1697, interacting with the various rites within the Church (mostly Coptic) and with Islam. At present the Friars, in addition to their parochial ministry, serve in several key areas of the Church and society: schools, seminaries, orphanages, charitable institutions, the Communications Centre for films and the newspaper in French and Arabic. To continue this ministry and its positive influence the Friars must be well formed and educated. Fortunately we are receiving aspirants and candidates for the Order. Plans for the 1998 scholastic year envision seventy candidates on various levels. The cost for each student is between $ 2,900 (LIT 4.900.000) and $ 3,200 (LIT 5.400.000). This includes tuition, books, room, board and living expenses. Two friars are pursuing graduate studies in theology to prepare for the future formation of the members of the Franciscan ViceÑProvince of the Holy Family in Egypt. Because the Catholic community is such a small minority in the Country it is unable to sustain these costs by itself.

Evangelization must be supported by learning and competence. Good will, compassion and zeal are not sufficient. Without study and reflection the minister can be shorthsighted and superficial. Rather than seeking solutions to problems, he or she can simply attend to symptoms. There is no depth to the evangelizing experience and the way is open for eventual decline. To counter this the Order of Friars Minor has taken steps to provide a solid formation and orientation to missionary and pastoral service.

The Minister General offers scholarships to students from developing countries and Eastern Europe. During the 1997 /1998 academic year 70 scholarships were sought and granted to students from 22 countries. A single scholarship is a contribution of $ 5,000 (LIT 8.500.000).

Fraternal guide is a requisite for effective formation. To provide these guides the Secretary General for Formation has designed a Formation for Formators Program.

It is a six week course to be conducted each year in Rome and Assisi for 34 friars who serve as directors of formation or who will be assigned to this ministry.

Contents of the course include the theology of religious life,Franciscan spirituality, the documents of the Church and Order on formation to religious life and priesthood, ways of counselling and spiritual direction. Friars engaged in formation have requested this help. The budget for the 1998 Program of Formation for Formators is $ 850 (LIT 1.500.000) for lodging, board and educational materials for each participant plus travel costs. Over half will come from units of the Order unable to pay all or even part of the expenses for this vitally necessary service.

In his apostolic exhortation letter after the Synod on the Consecrated Life Pope John Paul II wrote: The most authentic way to support the Spirit's action [in the recruitment and formation of vocations] is for Institutes to invest their best resources generously in vocational work ... It will be helpful to establish appropriate structures for the training of those responsible for formation. The Order of Friars Minor is attempting to follow this advice of Our Holy Father. Our financial resources are not sufficient to accomplish this task.