With group discussions and stories from the missions, the friars continue their journey, reflecting on the Franciscan charism and collaboration among the circumscriptions.
Work continues during the second week of the 9th Plenary Council of the Order (PCO IX), where the friar delegates, together with the General Minister and his Council, have continued their discussions and group reflections on the themes of Mission, Fraternal Collaboration, and the St. Lawrence Fraternities.
On October 21 and 22, the program followed its established structure. PCO members devoted the morning to discussions in study groups focused on Fraternal Collaboration and the St. Lawrence Fraternities, reserving the afternoon sessions for the presentation of reflections in the aula and for opportunities for participants to speak and offer comments. Although the intensive working sessions are taking place “behind closed doors,” the meeting is offering a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the delegates’ diverse missionary experiences and to gather their expectations regarding the outcomes of this plenary council.
Renewing the Franciscan Charism in Albania
Among the gathered testimonies, one stands out: that of Br. Giuseppe Lanzellotti, of the Province of Puglia and a missionary in Albania for eleven years. Br. Giuseppe described his participation in the PCO as a great opportunity to get to know and appreciate brothers from all over the world, giving a real face to that which might otherwise seem abstract. Reflecting on the role of the Capuchins, he emphasized that the Church of the future must inevitably be missionary or it will not exist at all. To rekindle the flame of the Franciscan charism and bring the Gospel to the world, the mission is called to take on new forms, just as fraternal collaboration does.
Within the Apulian Delegation in Albania, his duties range from parish, youth, and vocational ministry to directing the diocesan choir and orchestra, as well as managing a day center for Roma children. In a country experiencing economic growth but grappling with secularization—after fifty years of communism and thirty years of state atheism—the Capuchins have actively contributed to rebuilding the foundations of the local Church, keeping the Gospel message alive among a people known for their simplicity and hospitality.
A Beacon of Hope Among the Displaced in South Sudan
Equally moving is the experience shared by Br. Augustyn Chwalek of the Kraków Province, who serves in South Sudan, where he helped found a new community four years ago. His mission is based in a camp for internally displaced persons that houses 100,000 people, about 65,000 of whom are Catholic. Living conditions are particularly harsh due to limited space, severe overcrowding, the lack of green spaces, and high levels of noise pollution.
In this complex situation, the Capuchins’ focus does not overlap with the humanitarian development projects already managed by NGOs, but centers first and foremost on evangelization and pastoral care. Their fundamental calling is to share—both physically and spiritually—in the daily challenges faced by the displaced, bringing the hope of Jesus and bearing witness, simply through their presence within the camp, that God is among them and has not abandoned them.
Expectations for the Plenary Council: Practical Guidelines for the Future
In his first participation in a Plenary Council of the Order, Br. Augustyn experienced these days as a time of profound enrichment, also serving as an opportunity to reconnect with fellow brothers from his student days and to discuss the Order’s current path. From experiences in the field, the urgency of reflecting today on mission and collaboration emerges strongly, in order to address the contemporary needs of the Church and of people, offering a response faithful to the specific Capuchin charism. The expectations for this PCO are clear: to develop practical guidelines capable of making the friars’ work increasingly effective and of strengthening cooperation that highlights the close interconnection between the themes of mission, collaboration, and the San Lorenzo communities.
These intense days of listening and sharing confirm the vitality and relevance of the topics discussed in recent weeks, as well as the work of the Capuchin friars in the various peripheries of the world. We invite everyone to continue to follow the upcoming sessions with attention and engagement, accompanying this stage of the Order’s Ninth Plenary Council with prayer.
Indonesian
