January 9-13, 2023: The new Ministers Provincial, Custos and Secretaries of our Order gathered in Rome, at the Pontifical University of St. Bonaventure, commonly known as the Seraphicum, for meetings and orientation with our Minister General, The Most Reverend Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv. Their days included spiritual reflections, prayer, fraternity, and some practical matters. Friars from all over the world participated, with seven from the Conventual Franciscan Federation (CFF) which includes friars of Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, and the U.S.A. {As pictured above: Friar Anthony Lojado, OFM Conv. (translator – in studies in Italy, St. Bonaventure Province), Fr. Kevin Hanley, OFM Conv. (Custodial Secretary – Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody), The Most Reverend Fr. Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv., (Minister General of our Order), the Very Reverend Fr. Martin Day, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial – Our Lady of Consolation Province), His Eminence, Mauro Maria Cardinal Gambetti, OFM Conv. (Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City and President of the Fabric of Saint Peter’s), Fr. Mario Serrano, OFM Conv. (Secretary – Our Lady of Consolation Province), Br. Nicholas Romeo, OFM Conv. (Secretary – Our Lady of the Angels Province), the Very Reverend Fr. Paul Langevin, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial – St. Bonaventure Province), the Very Reverend Fr. Maximilan Martin, OFM Conv. (Custos – Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody), and the Very Reverend Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial – Our Lady of the Angels Province). Also in attendance was Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv. (a friar of our province who serves as Assistant General for the CFF).
On Thursday, January 12th, participating friars traveled to the General Curia for a practicum day and some free time to explore the Eternal City, before celebrating Mass in our Order’s Basilica dei Santi XII Apostoli (The Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles aka Santi Apostoli), presided over by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, OFM Conv., who formerly served as Guardian of the Sacro Convento of the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi.
Our Friar Max and Friar Michael while visiting St. Peter’s Tomb, guided by Friar Agnello Stoia, OFM Conv., the pastor of the parish of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter – Vatican. Pope Francis named Friar Stoia pastor in 2021, after he had served eight years as pastor of our Curia’s Santi Apostoli. The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter houses the sacred tomb of St. Peter, the 1st Pope of the Catholic Church, in the depths of the Vatican Necropolis.
The participating Provincials remained in Rome
for a “Midway” Meeting of the Order
in preparation for the 2025 Ordinary General Chapter.
