ASSISI: The Face of Conventual Franciscan Youth in Europe

Assisi, April 11, 2012 – Toward a meeting of the Novices and Post-Novitiate of all of Europe.
The Face of Conventual Franciscan Youth in Europe.

Three hundred Friars Minor Conventual were received by the Custos of the Sacred Convent, Friar Giusepe Piemontese in a welcoming liturgy where the young Friars received the invitation to take up  three attitudes: “We are a family, composed of many brothers, who return to the tomb of the family to engage in a regenerative bath, and revive the awareness of our own roots and origins. Here is also gather you, who are the hope of the Church and of our Order, pilgrims of faith and hope, desiring for yourself an additional formation; - you have also been invited – not only to open your eyes, but to expand the expression of your heart to further understand the meaning and the encouragement that the Father, Saint Francis raises up and entrusts to you. You are present in this place – proclaimed by Pope Gregory IX , in 1230, “Head and Mother of the whole Order”, as the womb that continues to regenerate our adherence to Jesus by means of a daily plenary indulgence, and is the reference point of our spirituality and charism”.

The meeting entitled: “Conventual Franciscan Identity in Europe: an Educative Challenge for Youth in Formation”, will engage more than 300 youth between 18 and 30 years of age, from 14 different nationalities (Croatia, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Romania, Russia Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta, France, Spain, Turkey, and Lebanon), in an experience of the three Conferences of CEC (Central European Conference), CEO (Eastern European Conference), and CIMP (Conference of the Inter-Mediterranean Ministers Provincial).

The program, rich in formative aspects for the living out and reflecting upon the significance of the message of the Poverello, will continue what was begun by the International Chapter of Mats. The witness of the presenters and workshop themes: contemplation, poverty, fraternity, minority, and mission, will help the young novices and post-novitiate to understand the gift of our fraternal communion, of mutual sharing and embracing one another. 
Video of the meeting can be seen at the website www.sanfrancescopatronoditalia.it