After a weekend devoted to exploring the Capuchin artistic heritage and to the lively celebration of the Second Day of the Missions, the delegates resumed their work, focusing on the theme of collaboration within the Order.
The third and final week of the Order’s Ninth Plenary Council (PCO IX) began on Monday, October 26, building on the richness of a weekend during which the friar delegates were able to alternate recreation with some compelling cultural and spiritually focused events.
Franciscan Art and History
On the afternoon of Saturday, October 24, the program served as the backdrop for the third event of the art exhibition “Sacri Itinerari Cappuccini 2026” (3rd Edition). The initiative, promoted by the Historical Institute and the Franciscan Museum, was launched with the specific aim of highlighting the artistic legacy of the Capuchin Order’s long history. This project takes on even deeper significance as it is set against the backdrop of the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis and the preparations for the 500th anniversary of the Order’s Reform.
The goal of the event was to rediscover extraordinarily talented figures (some of whom remain relatively unknown) who left an indelible mark on the regions where they worked. Among the protagonists of this artistic episode were the Baroque painter Br. Michele Minossi of Rome, the papal architect Michele of Bergamo (designer of the famous Church of the Immaculate Conception on Via Veneto), Br. Felice of Sambuca di Sicilia, Stefano da Carpi from Emilia, and the multifaceted Polish artist Br. Efrem of Kcynia, whose works captured illustrious figures such as Pope Pius XI and King Leopold III of Belgium.
The event was capped off by a performance by the Alma Trio, which treated the audience to an evocative musical journey coupling the baroque refinement of the 17th century with the romantic ardor of the second half of the 19th century. This was followed by warm words of thanks to the trio and to the event’s organizer, Br. Gian Nicola Paladino, Director of the Franciscan Museum and President of the Historical Institute, for his ongoing commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage.
The Second Capuchin Missions Day
Sunday, October 25, was a day of great celebration with the observance of the Second Day of the Capuchin Missions at the International College of St. Lawrence of Brindisi chapel in Rome. The event, organized by the General Curia’s mission office, aimed to foster missionary zeal and solidarity among all the friars. Placed at the center of the church was the image of the Divine Shepherdess, Patroness of the Capuchin missions, which had arrived from Seville. It was surrounded by cultural artifacts from more than twenty countries and by flags waved by the friars—a visible sign of their active presence in over 100 countries around the world.
The Eucharistic was celebrated by Br. Mariosvaldo Florentino, Secretary General for Evangelization and Missions, and concelebrated by Br. Kilian Ngitir, Rector of the College, and Br. Michele Mottura, Guardian of the General Curia and Secretary of the PCO. In his homily, Br. Mariosvaldo recalled the prophetic “missionary innovations” of the Rule of St. Francis, urging everyone to live out the missionary charism with boldness: both by seeking out the “lost sheep” in the places where they live their daily lives, and by making themselves ready—moved by divine inspiration—to be sent to the farthest lands.
The liturgy turned into a true intercultural celebration: the entrance hymns fervently lead by the Latin American friars, the prayers of the faithful recited in seven languages (Korean, Hindi, Swahili, Lingala, Slovenian, Georgian, and Kikhwa), the offertory procession led by the African friars, an evocative time for adoration offered by the friars from India, and the moving song of thanksgiving by the Indonesian fraternity—all accompanied by musical performances from the Italian friars. The celebration reached a special moment when all the friars lit their own candles from the candle of PCO IX and then concluded in an atmosphere of palpable joy at the center of the church, each brother holding a flag from the various countries where the Capuchins bring the Gospel message.
Group Work and Collaboration within the Order
Work during the third week resumed in full swing on Monday, October 26, following Mass and morning prayer. During the first session, the General Minister took the floor to outline the guidelines for the proceedings: over the weekend, the drafting commission had worked intensively on the summary of the theme of the missions, preparing a further draft of the text that will soon be submitted to the assembly for comments.
The day was devoted to group work focused on the theme of “Collaboration within the Order.” The General Minister encouraged the delegates to contribute with the utmost freedom and creativity, noting that the PCO’s primary objective at this stage is to gather ideas and content, even before defining their final form.
At the close of the session, the PCO secretary officially announced the members of the drafting commission, which was formed on Friday of the second week and consists of one representative from each language group. The presidential council also decided that the PCO secretaries will assist this committee in helping to prepare the final summary of the texts. The groups’ work, focused on reviewing and deliberating on the proposals, will continue in the coming days to prepare for the final discussions and votes on the floor.
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