Minister & Def.
The Order of the Friars Minor is composed of friars, who are incorporated in Provinces and Custodies and governed by the Minister General with his Definitory. The Rule of the Friars Minor confirmed by Pope Honorius III (1223) is the basis of the life and the laws of the Order. The Provinces and autonomous Custodies are governed respectively by the Provincial Minister and his Definitory, by the Custodian and his Council, elected by the Provincial or Custodial Chapter. The Order of the Friars Minor is composed of both lay and clerical friars who by virtue of their profession of the Franciscan life, enjoy the same rights and are subject to the same duties.
The General Definitorium thanks Br. José
Dear Br. José,
During the Octave of Easter, while the universal Church raised the joyous song of Alleluia, the voice of Pope Francis called you to be Archbishop Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. (more…)
The General Minister greets the Order
Dear Brothers, May the Lord give you peace!
When this letter reaches you, my appointment as Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, by His Holiness Pope Francis, will already have been made public. I want at this time to share some thoughts with you, my dear brothers. (more…)
Greetings from the Minister General to the Poor Clares and Conceptionist
My very dear Poor Clare and Franciscan Conceptionists Sisters,
Your brother, Jose, wishes you health and peace (cf. 5LtrCl 1).
As many of you probably already know, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed me Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. I wish at this moment of my life to share some feelings with you, my dear contemplative sisters. (more…)
Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
On Saturday, 6 April, the Holy Father appointed Fr. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, O.F.M., as secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of archbishop and assigning him the titular see of Bellicastrum. The archbishop-elect was born in Lodoselo, Spain in 1953 and was ordained a priest in 1977. (more…)
Easter Message of the Minister General
Video: The Minister General in this video sends his greetings to all the brothers and sisters to the whole Order. Subtitles in four languages (click Youtube on video to access subtitles) (more…)
Easter Letter of the Minister General OFM
My dear brothers and sisters, is the experience of those who ate and drank with him after his resurrection, and of those who are reborn “into a living hope and an incorruptible inheritance”. “He is Risen!” This is the foundation of our faith, the reason for our hope and charity: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching would be empty and your faith as well. (more…)
Minister General Visits the Fraternity of Father Allegra
On Wednesday March 20, 2013, the Minister General, OFM, Br. José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, visited the International Franciscan Fraternity of “Blessed Father Allegra OFM” of Rome, as is customary before Easter. (more…)
St. Joseph: Onomastic Feast of the Minister General
At the General Curia we have celebrated the feast of St. Joseph with great solemnity. On this day our Minister General celebrated his saint’s day. Yesterday evening at 18.00, began the Liturgy of the Eucharist presided by Br. José Rodríguez Carballo, ofm. It was attended by Brothers from all houses dependent on the Minister General of Rome. (more…)
Letter from the President of USG to Pope Francesco
Your Holiness, Both Religious and Consecrated life sings gratefully to the Lord on hearing of your election as Father and Pastor of the universal Church. In the days leading up to your election, all Religious and Consecrated of the entire world have prayed earnestly to the Lord to give us a Shepherd after his own heart. Today in St. Peter’s Square we were hundreds and hundreds of Religious and Consecrated Persons of all ages, races, and cultures, awaiting the good news: Habemus Papam. At the sound of your name, hearing your words, and seeing the gestures that accompanied your first appearance in public, we were filled with joy, hope and gladness. (more…)
Letter from the Minister General to Pope Francesco
Most Holy Father, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” is the cry of joy of those who waited in prayer for the Lord to give his Church a new Shepherd. For our Pope Francis we say then, “Praised be you, my Lord.” This is the prayer of gratitude that we, the sons of St. Francis around the world are raising with joy after receiving the news of your election as both Bishop of Rome and Successor of the Apostle Peter. (more…)
Greetings from the Minister General to the Holy Father Francis
Video: The Minister General in this video speaks about his experience with the Holy Father Francis, and sends his greetings from all the Franciscan Order. Subtitles included. (more…)
Eucharistic Celebration “pro eligendo Romano Pontifice”
In the morning of March 12, 2013, the Fraternity of the General Curia of the Order of Friars Minor in Rome celebrated the Holy Mass “PRO ELIGENDO ROMANO PONTEFICE”. It was presided by the Minister General, Br José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM. In his homily, he asked the brothers of the Order to pray with confidence to the Lord to enlighten the electoral College of cardinals to elect a new pope whom God has already chosen as successor to the Apostle Peter and Bishop of Rome, for the good of his Holy Church. (more…)
Joint Assembly of the Provinces of Lazio and Abruzzo
On March 6, 2013, under the chairmanship of the Minister General, Friar José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, there was a joint assembly of the Provinces of Lazio and Abruzzo at the Baby Jesus Oasis Center in Greccio, Italy. The meeting, which was attended by 50 brothers, including the two Provincial Ministers, began at 09.30 AM and concluded at 5 PM. It was moderated by the Delegate of the Minister General for the collaborative process between the two Provinces, Br. Massimo Reschiglian. (more…)
Meeting with the simply professed of the South Slavic conf.
From Feb. 28 – March 3, 2013, a meeting took place in Samobor, Zagreb (Croatia) between the Minister General, Br. José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, and the temporary professed Friars of the South Slavic Conference (i.e., Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Slovenia). Accompanying the Minister General were Br. Ernest Siekierka, OFM, Definitor General, Br. Vidal Rodriguez Lopez, OFM, Secretary General for Formation and Studies, and his Vice-secretary, Br. Sergiusz Baldyga, OFM. Alongside the young Friars, also in attendance were the formators and Provincial Ministers of the Conference. The number of the participants was close to 170 Friars. (more…)
Visit of the Minister general to India
From February 16-26, 2013, the Minister general, Br. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, OFM, accompanied by Br Paskalis Syukur, OFM, Definitor general, visited the three Entities of the Order in India, namely, the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, the Dependent Custody of the Mother of God, and the missionary Foundation of St. Francis of Assisi. In all three Entities, the Minister general was greeted with typical rituals of different cultures of India for welcoming guests. (more…)
Visit to the Custody of Mary the Mother of God, India
Br. José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, the Minister General visited the Custody of Mary the Mother of God in India. Exactly at 9.15 a.m. on the 19th of February, 2013, the Minister General accompanied by Br. Paskalis Bruno Syukur, OFM (Definitor General) and Br. Babu Jose Pamplany (Minister Provincial), arrived in Assisi Sadan Umred Nagpur, the headquarter of the Custody. They were welcome lively by the friars and parishioners; a Guard of Honor by the school children saluted them. Under colorfully decorated umbrellas and with tribal dances, they proceeded to the church to begin their visit of the Custody with prayer and worship. (more…)
USG: Thank you, Holy Father!
Most Holy Father, just a few days ago, in a homily addressed to all of us, Consecrated Persons, on the day of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple, you exhorted us to a faith that recognizes the wisdom of weakness. You reassured us, in fact, stating that “when the hardness and weight of the cross are felt, not to doubt that the kenosis of Christ is already a paschal victory.” A few days later, the authoritative force of these words of yours has become for us the icon in which to capture the gesture of love with which you, as you leave the papacy, intends to devote yourself wholeheartedly to a life dedicated to prayer for the good of Holy Mother Church. Yes, in your kenosis, Holy Father, we contemplate Christ’s paschal victory! Right in your face, we see the glorious light of the One who died on the cross, bathed us in glory! (more…)
Meeting of the Outgoing Council of UFME
The Permanent Council of the Union of Friars Minor of Europe (UFME) held its regular meeting on February 15-16, 2013, at the General Curia in Rome. In attendance were the President, Br. Carlo Serri (Italy), the Vice-President, Br. Victor Melicias (Portugal), and the Councilors, Br. Dominique Joly (France), Br. Filemon Janka (Poland), Br. Lovro Gavran (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Br. Hugh MacKenna (Ireland), and the secretary, Br. Paolo Maiello (Italy). (more…)
Visit of the Minister General to Mexico
From February 5-12, the Minister General, Friar José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, accompanied by Br. Julio Cesar Bunader, OFM, Definitor General, made a fraternal visit to the two Provinces of Mexico; it was also the second meeting with the Provincial Ministers and Definitors of the Entities of Mexico. The agenda noted the following itinerary: from Feb. 5-7, visit to the Province of Saints Francis and James in Monterrey, NL, St. Anne and Zapopan, Jalisco; on Feb. 9, meeting with Provincial Definitories in the convent of the Holy Cross of Queretaro: Feb 8 and 10 – 12, visit to the Province of Saints Peter and Paul, Leon, Celaya, Querétaro, Acambaro, the Sabanilla, and the Federal District of Mexico. (more…)
Ash Wednesday at the Antonianum
On February 13, 2013, the Minister General, Friar José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, presided over the celebration of the Eucharist on Ash Wednesday at the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in Rome for both College fraternities, St. Anthony and Blessed Gabriel Allegra. (more…)
THANK YOU HOLY FATHER
On the 11th of this month, while visiting the Province of Michoacán (Mexico), about 4 AM, through a call from my personal secretary, I learned of the resignation of the Pope as Bishop of Rome and Successor of St. Peter. I confess that the news caused me great sadness. Today, at a distance of two days, and now back in Rome, I respect that decision with much admiration. How much humility, freedom, responsibility involved! How much love for the Church! THANK YOU, HOLY FATHER. (more…)
Lent 2013
We begin the Lenten journey towards Christ, our Passover. With the heart turned toward the Lord, we walk with the whole Christian community, bringing this world closer to the Kingdom of God, moved by faith, hope and charity. Benedict XVI, in his message, invites us this year to unite faith and charity in the only hope of this Lent of 2013 because “believing in charity prompts charity.” (more…)
The Minister in dialogue with the Brothers
Today we begin a new section on our website in which the Minister General, Br José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, wants to dialogue with the Brothers of the Order by answering their questions. Among the many he has already received and will surely receive, the Minister will respond to those he considers more universal and convenient. The answers do not necessarily follow the chronological order and will be brief and made public. We await your questions. (more…)
The Mayor of Assisi visits the Minister General
On February 2, the Mayor of Assisi met the Minister General, Br. José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM. The Mayor was accompanied by Prof. Gauci, one of the most knowledgeable of the el Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) and professor at the Universities of both Perugia and Compostela. The meeting took place at our General Curia. (more…)
Interview with the Minister General
On February 2, World Day for Consecrated Life, the Osservatore Romano, published an interview of D. Nicola Gori, with our Minister General, Fr José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, in quality of President of the Union of Superiors General and member of the Congregation for Consecrated Life. We present the interview in Italian and Spanish. (more…)
Letter to the Order on the occasion of the Day of Consecrated Life
On the occasion of the celebration of the Day of Consecrated Life, the Minister General wrote a brief letter to all the Brothers, inviting them to give thanks to God for the gift of vocation to which we have been called and to renew our consecration to the Lord.
In the letter, Br. José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, devoted a special remembrance to the brothers in Libya, Syria, and Egypt, who are going through a difficult time. (more…)
First National Congress on Shrines
Sponsored by COMPI, the First National Congress on the Sanctuary with the logo “The Shrine: A High Place for the Spreading of the Faith” took place in Assisi from January 28-30. Participating in the Congress are 40 Friars Minor, responsible for Shrines in Italy, six Franciscan Missionaries of the Child Jesus who collaborate with us in various Shrines and some laity. On the 29th the themes of reflection were given by Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, Prefect of the Congregation of the course, and José Rodríguez Carballo, Minister General of the Order. At this time in Italy 107 shrines are entrusted to the care of the Friars Minor. (more…)
Visit of the Minister General in Holland
From Jan. 25-27, the Minister General, Br. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, accompanied by Br. Roger Marchal, Definitor General, met with the Provincial Definitories of the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium. The meeting took place in the convent of Megen (Netherlands); it aimed to finalize the details of the passage of the Province of St. Joseph in Belgium to a Custody dependent on the Province of Holland and, above all, to discuss how to revitalize the Franciscan presence in the Netherlands. (more…)
Seminar on Current Culture and Evangelization
The II Seminar on “Dialogue with the Current Culture and Evangelization” began on January 29. The Minister General and his entire Definitory are participating in it. The aim of this Seminar II is to make concrete proposals for evangelization, bearing in mind the challenges that come from today’s culture – as mandated 14 asked of the last General Chapter. (more…)
Conclusion of the Meeting of New Ministers and Custodes
Today came to a conclution the meeting of the new Ministers with the Minister General and his Definitory. These have been days of meeting, formation, and information, all of which unfolded in an atmosphere of familiarity, reflection, and prayer. For all this we thank the Lord from whom comes all the good that is in us and all the good we can do and enjoy. Having come from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, you Provincial Ministers represent here all the brothers who live, work, and witness to the Gospel in different continents and cultures. (more…)
Formation & Missions
