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Monday, June 30, 2014
In whose hands it is?????
The Councilors are leaving!!!!!!!
The General Council meeting and the new Provincial meeting is over. The General Minister and Councilors one by one are getting ready to leave for their respective area for animation. Some have chapters, others have conference meeting and some like me have fraternal and canonical visitation of the Provinces.
I am leaving today for TamilNadu South and North for the canonical visitation for two Month. The program of my visitation has been arranged by the respective provincials and am hoping for a good time in both the provinces. I request your prayers and best wishes.
At the end of August we have CCMSI meeting in Goa. We also meet the other Franciscan Major superiors too. This meeting is going to be an important one as we will plan out some common program for the entire Franciscan Family in India.
The Curia in the college is getting ready to move to the renovated curia at Piemonte. Here in the curia all are busy packing their personal things as well as of the various offices.. it is so difficult to leave a place after some good time here...
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Happy Feast of St's Peter and Paul
Today we remember two apostles, both martyred in Rome. Simon (Peter) from Galilee, married, chosen by Jesus to be his disciple. He was the brother of Andrew, who introduced him to Jesus. Paul, who replaced Judas Iscariot, was from Tarsus and educated as a Pharisee. He was called the apostle of the Gentiles. Both Peter and Paul played very important roles in the history of the Church. Peter had an experience with Jesus because they worked together for many years until his death. But Paul never had a chance to be with Jesus. It was only after his conversion that he became the strongest and bravest defender of the Risen Jesus.
In the Gospel, Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They answered, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, others Jeremiah or some other prophets." Jesus was not happy with the answer and asked them directly, "But for you, who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." Upon hearing this, Jesus said, "I am going to build my Church upon Peter as upon a rock." Jesus also gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and "whatever you prohibit on earth will also be prohibited in heaven." Lucky Peter! It was his recognition of Jesus as the Son of God that he became such a privileged follower of Jesus.
On the other hand, Paul's conversion was some kind of a flash of lightning that blinded him. Then he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" "Who are you, Lord?" He asked. "I am Jesus, whom you persecute. But get up and go into the city where you must be told what you must do." Saul was blind for three days and through the help of Ananias, his sight was restored. Paul was baptized and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Strength restored, he started to preach that Jesus is the Son of God. Paul concentrated his work with the Gentiles and soon the number of converts grew.
We celebrate today the greatness of these two apostles, one, the Head of the Church and the other, the faithful defender of Jesus Christ. Peter and Paul were not saints when they answered the call of Jesus; in fact, they were also sinners and they made a lot of mistakes just like us. Peter even denied Jesus Christ to save himself. He abandoned Jesus in his last days. He said that he would give his life for Jesus, but when he was confronted with the reality of life, he cowered. Paul, on the other hand, tortured and persecuted the Christians. But in the end Peter and Paul were humble enough to admit their weaknesses and worked very hard to build a church by converting thousands of people to Christ and shepherding the flock assigned to them by Jesus Christ. Peter became the first Pope and guided the Church to its fruition. Paul, by his dedication to Jesus, continued his work with zeal.
At this moment in our life, how much do we know about Jesus and what he has done and is doing for us? Can we say that we know him well and that we can die for him? Can we work like St. Paul and St. Peter to be able to affect change in the lives of other people? If we can say yes, then let us put all our efforts to be a worthy disciple like Peter and Paul.(DAILY HOMILY)
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Evaluation and Conclusion of the New Provincial meeting 2014
Yesterday
the group visited newly renovated general curia. They left around 2.30pm and
returned to Frascati around 9.30pm.
They
visited via Veneto where there is a Capuchin Museum, which is world famous.
After the guided tour we have dinner in the fraternity of Provincial Curia of
Rome Province.
This
morning we began with Eucharistic celebration on the occasion of the feast of
Immaculate Heart of Mary. The General Vicar officiated and broke the world of
God. He said that one needs to empty ourselves as mother Mary did while
animating the brothers.
This
morning’s session began with Br. Mark schenk inviting the participants to
evaluate the program in order to facilitate the council to organize in better
manner. The brothers came out with a lot of suggestions and also gave their
constructive criticism. They felt that the information given were too many.
Today Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Paolo Martinelli
Fr Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap, who is appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milan will be Ordained as a Bishop this Morning. Br. General Minister is participating along with many friars from Italy and our College students. There will a huge crowd as Paolo is very popular professor, preacher and a good friar.
He was my professor as well as guide for the licentiate. I wrote under him a tesina on the theme "Indian-Franciscan perspective on prayer". He guided me very efficiently. The thesina was a good research work done under his able leadership.
The Holy Father Francis appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milan Subway fr. Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap., Dean of the Franciscan Institute of Spirituality at the Pontifical University Antonianum, giving it the title of bishop of Numidia Musti.
Born in Milan on October 22, 1958, Br. Paolo Martinelli has made his perpetual profession December 23, 1984 and was ordained a priest on September 7, 1985.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Spiritual and Pastoral Assistance to the OFS and Franciscan Youth By Br. Amanuel Mesgun
Franciscans,
Conventuals and Capuchins share with the Poor Clare’s and 3rd Order
Regular a common charism and mission
Constitutions
say that Let us have at heart the secular Franciscan Order
Responsibilities:
collaborate with the international council and its presidency, co-ordinate at
international level, foster the interests of the friars in SFO and provide for
the pastoral visits of the national councils of SFO
Service
to the SFO
Service
to our Order
Tasks
of the Provincial Ministers: responsible for the establishment, spiritual
animation and visits to the local SFO fraternities.
The provincial ministers and other major superiors exercise their competence with regard to the SFO in their own territory
Determine
collegially the manner of appointing the national and regional assistants
Duties
in particular: to canonically establish new local fraternities, ensure that
they receive spiritual assistance, to animate spiritually, to visit and to
meet, to keep informed about the spiritual assistance, to appoint the spiritual
assistants
Spiritual assistant to Capuchin Sisters By Br. Juan Mari Castro
Ø He
spoke his ministry to all sisters all over the world
Ø He
made mention that the sisters need good formation as the candidates come from
village contexts
Ø In
Latin America there have been vocations but now there are experience a decrease
in the vocations.
Ø The
course conducted by the Antonianum for the sisters was a great success but the
professors expressed that the standard of the sister’s education was very low
and they had to adjust their teaching.
Ø They
have a rich and positive experience
Ø Some
sisters are already studying in different universities in Rome. These sisters
are quite intelligent and able to cope up with the studies.
Ø Some of the Monasteries they have a good formation for the young sisters.
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