The Lord said to Abrahqm: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you” (Genesis, 12, 1). On Saturday, 10th October, we, the postulants of the Custody of the Holy Land felt a little bit like Abraham as we left Montefalco for the city of our founder father. The reason why we had set off is the preparation for the 2009-2010 postulandate. It was a beautiful and unique experience that allowed us to feel the vibrant atmosphere and the infinite mercy of God for all of us. Meeting all sorts of difficulties, exactly as though going on this pilgrimage were the metaphor of our lives, we found everything at the dawn of the new day. The Lord blessed us with sister rain, which allowed us to have a rest in an old house, on the way, before reaching the Porziuncola. Full of joy and enthusiasm, we arrived at the end of our journey: Santa Maria degli Angeli, where Jesus seemed to say to us “Come and see how good the Lord is.” Like every real pilgrim, we kissed the ground on arrival, and in order to gain the Indulgence, we asked for our sins to be forgiven through the sacrament of Reconciliation. Together let us pray to the Lord so that He may bless us, our postulants and Fr. Bruno, our master and guardian.
Postulant Ricardo Orozco (Mexican)
October 2009: we, the young men of the community of Montefalco, of the Custody of the Holy Land, set off for the General Curia in Rome, to meet Father José Rodriguez Carballo, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor. It was a very important occasion for those of us in formation. Being in the Curia, meeting the Minister General in person, staying for lunch with him in brotherhood and ending the visit with a souvenir photo! We were very happy and enthusiastic for the gift of this fine opportunity. Father José wanted to know where we came from, how old we were and our culture. Then he spoke to us about important subjects for our formation, linked with the world we live in; discipline and the importance of community life; the dangers we will have to face to reach our maturity as friars; and on some particular problems which he invited us to watch over to draw the necessary good from them for our growth. Attention for the Internet, for example, a tool which, if not used properly, may even be very harmful for our lives, or the use of the mobile phone and the danger of dependence that it can trigger off. He also reminded us of the clarity of our vocation: those who follow this life must really feel called to it, must have a love for study, humility before mistakes and be able to become a brother in the community. Before returning to his occupations, the Minister General made us the gift of the rule of St. Francis and said goodbye to each one of us with a paternal embrace. It was indeed a wonderful experience and we are all very pleased about it. We thank the Minister General once again for his invaluable advice, for having spent some time in our company and for the great sense of brotherliness that he passed on to us. Our sincere thanks!
Postulant Pasquale Serappo (Italian)
Postulant Ricardo Orozco (Mexican)
October 2009: we, the young men of the community of Montefalco, of the Custody of the Holy Land, set off for the General Curia in Rome, to meet Father José Rodriguez Carballo, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor. It was a very important occasion for those of us in formation. Being in the Curia, meeting the Minister General in person, staying for lunch with him in brotherhood and ending the visit with a souvenir photo! We were very happy and enthusiastic for the gift of this fine opportunity. Father José wanted to know where we came from, how old we were and our culture. Then he spoke to us about important subjects for our formation, linked with the world we live in; discipline and the importance of community life; the dangers we will have to face to reach our maturity as friars; and on some particular problems which he invited us to watch over to draw the necessary good from them for our growth. Attention for the Internet, for example, a tool which, if not used properly, may even be very harmful for our lives, or the use of the mobile phone and the danger of dependence that it can trigger off. He also reminded us of the clarity of our vocation: those who follow this life must really feel called to it, must have a love for study, humility before mistakes and be able to become a brother in the community. Before returning to his occupations, the Minister General made us the gift of the rule of St. Francis and said goodbye to each one of us with a paternal embrace. It was indeed a wonderful experience and we are all very pleased about it. We thank the Minister General once again for his invaluable advice, for having spent some time in our company and for the great sense of brotherliness that he passed on to us. Our sincere thanks!
Postulant Pasquale Serappo (Italian)