On the occasion of the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM, wrote a letter addressed also to us Poor Clare Sisters, offering us «a summarizing word that may help us to grasp the unity» of the “centenary of centenaries” which began in 2023 and culminates in 2026 with the celebration of the 800 years since the Transitus of St. Francis. «What remains for us of the life initiated with Francis and grew through so many brothers and sisters over time? [...] This life, embedded in the diverse cultures and histories where we are present, can receive forms and languages if we are open to recognizing it in others as well.»
Communion and Communication 67, which we present here, bears witness to some of these forms and speaks some of these ‘new’ languages.
As an editorial team, we chose to let ourselves be guided - in this and in the next two issues of Communion and Communication - by the words of Father St. Francis in the Little Testament or Testament of Siena (April-May 1226), a summary of the mandate he left us as an inheritance. The sisters of Szécsény, Hungary, offer us an overview of it. Here, you will find the homily of the Minister General during the commemoration of the Little Testament, held on March 8th in Siena (Italy).
The reflections and life-stories sent by the sisters from Lebanon, Panama, Madagascar, France, Croatia, and the United States center on Francis’s first instruction: “Always love one another.” As Br. Fábio Gomes, OFM writes in his letter, Francis’ instruction «resonates even more clearly as a prophecy of hope [...] in these difficult times, [...] because while a lack of love lies at the root of all personal, communal, and social ills, its presence represents the true cure for them.» Sr. Maria della Trinità, our sister now declared a Servant of God, gave this love a particular ‘form,’ about which Sr. Mariachiara Bosco, OSC briefly outlines the journey of faith and holiness.
We also want to remember the fraternal love shown by two brothers who lived their personal transitus a few months ago: Br. Thomas Hartle, OFM, Religious Assistant of Holy Name Federation (USA) for several years, and Br. Herbert Schneider, OFM who, as General Delegate Pro Monialibus, accompanied many Communities and Federations for ten years and gave great impetus to this magazine of ours. In the column “We Have Received,” we welcome the presentation of two publications about Audite poverelle found in the Novaglie codices (Sr. Monica Benedetta Umiker, OSC) - almost as a seal to the recently concluded centenary - as well as an account of a “pilgrimage to the sources of the charism” (Sr. Maria Ramonita Sison, OSC), and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the canonization of St. Beatrice of Silva (Conceptionist Sisters).
The issue concludes with the results of several federal assemblies.
Do not close this page, however, before noting the theme of the next cTc 68: the second injunction of St. Francis in the Testament of Siena, v. 4: «Let them always love and observe our Lady Holy Poverty.»
To the sisters and brothers, to each and to all the communities, our thanks: together, we can continue to make a small, yet great contribution, so that communication strengthens communion and communion yields greater vitality to communication.
Happy reading!
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