Br. Sebastian Kuthukallunkal (VP Andhra Pradesh-Orissa) presided at the Eucharist on Saturday. He emphasized in his homily that Capuchin minority consists in taking a decisive stand in favor of the oppressed people just like Jesus did for the little ones of his time. Tewelde Beyene (Province of Eritrea) was the celebrant of the Mass at Fonte Colombo on Sunday.

On Saturday at the morning session, the Secretary explained the procedures to the Plenary Council on the first round of voting. The voting will be by secret ballot, using different colored squares: Placet (green) meaning “In Favor”, Placet Juxta Modum (yellow) – In favor, with Amendment, and Non Placet (red) – Against. The Secretary then gave everyone a page with the seven points outllining the procedure for the voting on the proposals. After he had carefully explained every point of the procedure, the delegates cast their votes on the first twenty-five proposals. The scrutineers were: Brs. Rudolph Pieretti (VP Zambia) and Paul Mathis (P Switzerland). The brothers spent the afternoon session in their individual groups working on the remaining proposals 26-66. After all this work, everyone was looking forward to the free day on Sunday to relax or to go on the visit to Greccio, Fonte Colombo and the Marmore Waterfall.

A group of 30 friars travelled to the Rieti Valley, which has come a bit closer to Assisi thanks to the completion of the highway from Perugia to Spoleto. After Lauds at Greccio, Br. Massimo, the guardian of a fraternity of 4 OFMs, gave us an interesting tour of the sanctuary with the cave of the nativity celebration of 1223, the chapel of 1228, the dormitory built by St. Bonaventure and the prison cell of John of Parma, the seventh general minister, banned to Greccio for 32 years over false accusations of Joachimism. Our next stop was Fonte Colombo where St. Francis wrote the Rule in 1223. He also had an eye operation here in 1225. He likewise spent much time in prayer and meditation in this place. We celebrated the Eucharist here and had our packed lunch in the hall, with a good glass of wine and coffee offered by the friars. Br. Carlo, a 78 year old Franciscan scholar gave us a spirited introduction to the place. All reform movements in the Order centered on the interpretation of the Rule written in Fonte Colombo. We finished the day with a visit to the maravellous Marmore Waterfall just outside Terni at the entrance of the narrow Valnerina.
As long ago as 271 B.C., the Romans led a river of the Rieti Valley over a rocky precipice of 165 metres in spectacular natural surroundings. Normally the water is used for a hydro electric plant but at 4 P.M. the waterfall is “switched on” and within a quarter of an hour the whole valley comes alive under the thunderous waterfall.