In Jerusalem, eleven Franciscan friars from different nations made their solemn profession (perpetual profession) into the hands of Fr. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor. Also present at the liturgy were the members of the General Definitorium, as well as the Custos, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, and the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land. Four of the newly professed friars belong to the Custody, while the others are in the Holy Land for study purposes but belong to foreign provinces of the Order. Specifically, four come from the Province of St. Michael the Archangel in Indonesia, one from the Province of St. Benedict the African, and two from the Province of St. Clare of Assisi in Mozambique.
During the rite, after reciting the formula in their own languages, the friars prostrated themselves on the ground during the Litany of the Saints, signed the official document on the altar, and received the fraternal embrace of the community. With this definitive commitment, the friars become permanent members of the Order, promising to live in obedience, poverty and chastity, according to the Franciscan Rule.
In his homily, Fr. Massimo Fusarelli urged the young friars to entrust themselves to Christ and to be ready to give their lives for the love of the Gospel, supported by the closeness of the universal Church. Furthermore, the Minister General reminded the professed friars that their mission stems directly from the original mission of St. Francis, namely, to continue repairing their own hearts and lives in order to welcome the Lord more fully and spread His message, thus helping to build and strengthen His Church.
Finally, Fr. Fusarelli warned the young friars against thinking that they had completed their journey. "Even with solemn profession, we risk remaining at the centre ourselves, I with my needs, I with my ideas, I with my projects. This is not how the temple is repaired. My life is the temple of God, which is the world, which is the Church." Therefore, everyone must learn to step aside more, to move to the margins, rather than always remaining at the centre. The celebrant concluded by addressing the professed friars: "We must say: Lord, I step aside, You are at the centre."
Riccardo Curti
The friars who made their Solemn Profession:
Fr. Alain Abdel Nour, OFM
Fr. Alvaro Milenio Batista Soares, OFM
Fr. Antoine Mbamba Fumukasema, OFM
Fr. Darlington Chidiogo Ifedioranma, OFM
Fr. Emidio Milton Carlos Tovela, OFM
Fr. Ezequiel Gaspar Manuel De Loca, OFM
Fr. Fernando Enrique Rojas De Castro, OFM
Fr. Fransiskus Gregorius P. Bataona, OFM
Fr. John the Baptist Vinh Doan, OFM
Fr. Pascoal Lemos Calicana, OFM
Fr. Vincentius Gabriel Sitanggang, OFM
