Rome (Fides Service) - “The Eucharist: Sacrament of Communion” is the theme of the 29th General Assembly of the Union of Conferences of Franciscan Provincial Ministers of Italy, a body of 60 Superiors at the head of one thousand Franciscan communities all over Italy and a total number of 7,200 Friars.
The assembly is organised on the occasion of the Year of the Eucharist to reflect on communion within the Franciscan family and on the challenges it is called to face to render the charisma of St Francis living and present in the third millennium. The assembly is being held in Frascati outside Rome at the Centro Giovanni XXIII from 21 to 26 February 2005. During the work of the assembly besides listening to conferences by Carmelite Father Jesus Castellano and Benedictine Father Ildebrando Scicolone, participants will discuss themes of inter-Franciscan commissions “Justice Peace and Protecting the Environment”, of the Movimento Francescano Italiano, and instances regarding the liturgical renewal. On 23 February, at the catacombs of St. Sebastian in Rome, a solemn mass will be presided by the rector of the Lateran University, Bishop Rino Fisichella. Fides Service will report on the meeting and interview some of the Friars.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/2/2005 righe 18 parole 175)