Conference on “The Franciscans and China”

The Meeting was held on May 4-5, 2012, in the splendid setting of Greccio. Organized by the Cultural Center Aracoeli, together with the Institute of Spirituality of the PUA, the Congress, the tenth in its series, made use of the contributions of the Province of Rome and Abruzzo (present were the Provincial Ministers), as well as the of the local convent. Br. Alvaro Cacciotti presided over the two days, introducing six speakers, enlivening the interest of the approximately 50 participants at the final Round Table, which, among other things, strongly advocated the revival of the monumental work, Sinica Franciscana. Scholars highlighted the strong role of the Franciscans in China and their unconditional love and missionary zeal, as well as the countless sacrifices of so many heroic witnesses.

The group of participants also enjoyed an appropriate musical moment offered by Vocalia Consort, plus a guided tour in the old convent built around the grotto where Francis celebrated the famous Christmas of 1223. From the General Curia were present Br. Paskalis Syukur, Definitor General, Br. Maximum Tedoldi, Secretary General for Missions and Evangelization, and Br. Sergiusz Bałdiga, Vice SGFS.