Comunicato Tempo Forte July 2011

The General Definitory gathered at the General Curia between 5th and 14th July for the last meeting before the summer holidays. Apart from the opening session during which the Minister General and Definitors shared with each other their activities and experiences since the Tempo Forte of May, a great deal of time was devoted at this meeting to an examination of the work of some of the Commissions appointed to assist the Definitory in its service of animation (e.g. the Commission for Contemplation, the Liturgical Commission, the Commission for the interdisciplinary study of the situation of the Order, etc.), to an evaluation of some recent meetings of the General Definitory, to updates concerning two Projects mandated by the General Chapter 2009 (the Amazon Project and Project Europe), and to reflection on the theme of our identity and that of the new evangelization. A lot of time was also given over to the preparation of the General Definitory’s letter to the Order for the Feast of St Francis.

As is usual at this time of year, there was a large number of financial requests to be examined (c. 90), especially those concerning bursaries for study; in addition, in excess of 75 Plichi (files) were examined, involving a variety of administrative matters coming from many Entities of the Order. The amended Particular Statutes of the Province of the Incarnate Word, in Western Africa, were approved. Other amended Statutes were left over to the Tempo Forte of September. In view of particular sets of circumstances, the General Definitory examined the particular situation of certain Entities and made some appropriate decisions.

Some General Visitators were appointed, including BR FERNANDO INACIO PEIXOTO DE CASTRO of the Province of the Holy Name of Jesus, in Brazil, for the Province of the Assumption of the BVM, also in Brazil, and BR JESÚS AGUIRRE GARZA of the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, USA, for the Province of St Francis in Africa, Madagascar and Mauritius.

In the course of the Tempo Forte, a number of reports submitted by Visitators were presented and discussed. Among these were the following:

• BR CLAUDE COULOT’S report on the Visitation of the Pontifical University “Antonianum”;

• BR MICHAEL D’CRUZ’S report on the Visitation of the Custody of St John the Baptist, in Pakistan;

• BR MANLIO DI FRANCO’S report on the Visitation of the Roman Province of Saints Peter and Paul, in Italy;

• BR SAMUEL CEGŁOWSKI’S report on the Visitation of the Province of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM, in Poland.

• BR MANUEL ANAUT ESPINOSA’S report on the Visitation of the Province of the Three Companions, in France and Belgium.

The General Definitory made plans and approved the programs for the forthcoming meetings of the General Definitory with the Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops of the Order, with all those responsible for the Apostolic Vicariates entrusted to the Order, and for the General Visitators nominated in 2011. The progress of planning for the Chapter of Mats of Friars “under-Ten” was also examined. In order to plan prudently for the future needs of the General Curia and other houses dependent on the Minister General, the Definitory devoted some time to reflecting on the need for personnel.

The Tempo Forte ended with a meeting between the Minister General and Definitory and the Guardians of the houses dependent on the Minister. After their encounter, they joined the Fraternity of S. Maria Mediatrice for solemn vespers and a barbecue outdoors.

As is customary, many of those who live and work in the General Curia will be on holidays for the month of August. May they enjoy a few weeks of rest and refreshment before returning in September. Gratitude and appreciation must be expressed to those few brothers who remain on in the Curia for the month of August.

Aidan McGrath OFM
25th July 2011