What the missionary say about Brussels

At the end of the last session of our Inter-Franciscan Missionary Program (IFMP) the participants made their recommendations about the program. I publish some of them, without giving names. The question they answered was: “Do you have anything to suggest to the general secretaries of mission?” • Maybe the duration could be prolonged or done in 2 phases so as to avoid rushing or over-feeding. • It’s a pity that such a useful course is attended by such a small group of friars - due to expenses. Maybe it could be given in different locations (continents) to avoid transport expenses and accommodate more friars of the continent... • Ask the mission secretaries of each province of the Order to participate in this program. Make this compulsory. • Suggest secretaries for the missions in different entities who haven’t done a course in missiology to be attending/ to attend the course. it’s enriching for the province’s mission animation. • Introduce sessions on : Public Relations (PR); Communication (Media, website); How to be a missionary in Europe. • If you add some more subjects it would be good: ecumenism, human trafficking, public media introduction. • Topics for the future: one week for mass-media, communication with journalist, make own website, radio, Tv; how to find donations, communication with people who want to help own project. • A good news letter (semiannual or quarterly) of the IFMP be published and distributed among the franciscan Orders, Poor Clares, SFO, Youfra and other interested parties, so that we can promote and inform the missionary spirit of the franciscan family to the whole world. Also invite SFO, Franciscan Sisters, lay missionaries to study here in the IFMP. • All missionaries has to attend the course.

Br. Mauro visits Missionary Course

On November 14th the General Minister Br. Mauro visited the Missionary Course in Brussels. 12 friars from the first Order (among them 7 Capuchins) studied and discussed in English the challenges of a Franciscan mission today. The 3-month program started at the beginning of September and ended with a visit to Rome and Assisi. “Transcultural self-perception and perception of the other”, “Franciscan Mission Theology and History”, “Asian and African Culture”, “Mission at the service of the Kingdom of Justice, Peace & Ecology”, “Fraternal economy” and “Leadership” where some of the courses given by Friars from the 1st Order and some lay persons. For the Capuchins, Br. Bill Frigo from the Calvary Province in the US was a member of the steering committee. Br. Mauro Jöhri listened carefully to the experiences of the participants. For most of them it was the first experience of deep reflection about Franciscan mission. “I recognize that I have made many mistakes” one friar said.

The following brothers have participated: Isaac Kalluvettamkuzhil, ofmcap, and Lawrence K. Nadar George, ofmcap (St. Francis Province, Kerala, India, for GHANA), Fernand Winnibold Victor, ofmcap, (Karnataka, India, working in NORTH-EAST INDIA), Kilukkan Laiju, ofmcap, (St. Thomas Province, Kerala, India, working in Malawi), Robert Maxim Nazareth, ofmcap, (Karnataka, India, working in UGANDA), Ewald Nangay, ofmcap, and Benedict Mtena, ofmcap, (Tanzania, working in SOUTH-AFRICA).
Adam Klag, ofmconv, (Poland for UGANDA), Banda Ferdinand Masauso, ofmconv, and Mutale Cornelius, ofmconv, (Zambia), Eufrosino Solibar (YOSI), ofm, (Philippines for MAROCCO), Alfonso P., ofm, (Italy for FAR EAST).

The next course in French will be from February 27 to May 22nd, 2012 in Brussels. (Registrations before December 15th). Next course in English: 3rd September to 27th November 2012.

I am in Peru. Sunday 5, 2011, started the third capuchin meeting on migration. This time in the Americas. About 50 brothers are gathering in Limas suburb Ñaña for five days to discuss, experience and plan for action.

As migration in rampant in the Americas there are very many places where the brothers are confronted with communities affected by migration, be it through the loss of people leaving the country or by the challenge of welcoming migrant communities in the midst of places there have been for a long time.

Resource people from all Americas are coming in to facilitate the discussions and planings.

You can find more information on the blog of the Justice and Peace Office.
Click here.

Mission needs to be promoted

Mission Commission meets at Frascati


For the third time the International Commission for Mission met at Rome. From July 12 to 14, the nine members gathered at our friar at Frascati. Main topic was the redaction of guidelines for our missionary activity. The document will help to organize still better our activities and to promote the missionary spirit in the Order.


from the left to the right: Paulus Nag, St. Fidelis, India, Isidor Peterhans, Tanzania, Rector of the Int. College, Larry Webber, Detroit, USA, Marek Przeczewski, Warsaw, Poland, Enzo Canozzi, Genova, Italy, Piotr Komorniczak, Ukraina, Promotore of Solidarity, Helmut Rakowski, Germany, Segr. general for mission, Agapit Mroso, Tanzania, Definitor general, Luiz Carlos Susin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Missionaries visit Assisi

Click here for more.

In Mission to Germany and Switzerland

General Curia organizes a meeting for friars working in the project of "Solidarity of personnel"

Zell am Harmersbach (Germany): On October 5th and 6th 2010 the little town in the Black forest saw a group of 12 Indian Capuchins gathering in the local friary. The general definitory had asked the friars working in “Solidarity of personnel” to gather according to regions, in order to “animate and to give them an opportunity to share their experiences of working in a different religious and social culture, in a different language, with friars who have a different formation and history”.
The meeting for the firars working in the Mission in Germany and Switzerland was organized by Br. Ephrem Bucher and Br. Helmut Rakowski (members of the commission of Solidarity of Personnel). They also asked for some feed back to the Vademecum published ad experimentum on December 8th 2009.
The meeting was considered very positive. The atmosphere was open and very fraternal.
The opportunity to exchange experiences was not given in the past in such a way. (Even if in the past some meetings were arranged on the level of provinces, some friars have never participated because they arrived afterwards.) The Vadmecum was considered useful and good, the problem was much more seen in the implantation on the level of the province or of the local fraternity.
Beside some recommendations to improve the Vademecum and it’s implantation in the provinces of Germany and Switzerland the friars considered it important for all provinces to
1. Promote a missionary spirit in all provinces.
2. Assure a good preparation of the language before coming. The language course in the new country must be serious (not just 1 hour a day). Emphasis not only on grammar but also on pronunciation. (Take in consideration courses with specialists who train actors…)
In Germany are working brothers from the provinces of St. Joseph and Pavanathma, while in the French speaking part of Switzerland the province of Andhra Orissa is present.

Participants:
1. Br. Alexander Madathil
2. Br. Alexander Joseph
3. Br. Jose Vettikatte
4. Br. Scaria Sabumon Purayidathil
5. Br. Sunil Kachappally
6. Br. Jeby Muckachirayil
7. Fr. Inna Reddy
8. Fr. Kiran Kumar Arravi
9. Fr. Francis Basani
10. Fr. Satish Karumanchi
11. Fr. Abishek Kumar Gali
12. Fr. Jospeh Madanu
13. Br. Ephrem Bucher – Provincial Switzerland
14. Br. Werner Labus, Vicar provincial – Germany
15. Br. Helmut Rakowski – General Mission Secretary Rome

Course for Mission

On September 1st started a new session of our “Course for Mission” in Brussels. The three General secretaries for missionary animation welcomed 11 friars from the 1st Order to reflect until the end of November about our Franciscan mission.
Among the missionaries are three Capuchins from India, called to serve in different parts of Asia.

Br. Bill Frigo from the Calvary Province (USA) represents the Capuchins in the coordination team. He will work together with Br. Vicente Imhof OFMConv (Germany-Peru) and the new appointed team from the OFM. Br. GIANFRANCESCO SISTO (Italy – Kenya) and Br. DIDIER VAN HECKE (France - Belgium). The program includes cultural and academic sessions. It pretends also to be a spiritual process and finishes with a pilgrimage to the Franciscan places in and around Assisi and a guided retreat.

The participants are:
Br. ALUTULI Abraham OFMConv (Zambia), Br. KAYULA Timothy Mpaluka OFMConv (Zambia), Br. KANIYAMPARAMBIL Shaji Mathew OFMConv (India), Br. AROTTAPPURAM NICLOVOSE Vinu OFMConv (India), Br. FRANCIS ASSIS Edwin Monis OFMCap (India) , Br. VELAYAPPILLIL Mathai Paily RENNY OFMCap (India), Br. KATTA Melkiyore OFMCap (India), Br. NERI Giuseppe BEPPE OFM (Italy), Br. BETO Timoteus Titus Petrus OFM (Indonesia), Br. GOLHA Masseo Patrik OFM (Slovakia), Br. KWIATNOWSKI Lukasz OFM (Poland)


(Standing from left to right:) Br. Benjamin, Br. Vincent, Br. Bill, Br. Beppe, Br. Helmut, Br. Abraham, Br. Renny, Br. Beto, Br. Didier, Br. Edwin, Br. Patrik, Br. Massimo, Br. Lukasz.
(First row f.l.t.r.:) Br. Jan Lan, Br. Melkiyore, Br. Timothy, Br. Gianfrancesco.


The coordinators


Visit to Brussels


First session


In the refectory

Brussels // Bruxelles // Inscription open for English session 2010

The next course of our formation program for missionaries will be done in English from 30th August to 21st November 2010.

Le prochain cours formation pour les nouveaux missionnaires sera donné en anglais, du 30 août au 21 novembre 2010.

Il prossimo corso per la formazione dei nuovi missionari in inglese avrà luogo dal 30 agosto al 21 novembre 2010.

Church agencies form one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations

EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - Over 100 Church development organizations unite in an important humanitarian alliance
Geneva (Agenzia Fides) – The ACT Alliance, which unites more than 100 organizations supported by the Church for assistance in worldwide development, was formally launched on March 24 with celebrations in Geneva and around the world. The new ACT Alliance is one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations, engaged in 125 countries with a budget of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars. It deals with the ability to provide emergency food, housing, water, and sanitation services, as well as programs to reduce poverty in poorer countries. This new institution is the merger of ACT International, a network of assistance for natural disasters, and its sister organization, ACT Development. Through ACT, the followers of the churches around the world have been at the forefront in Haiti since January 12, the day of the earthquake that destroyed the island. Six weeks later, it assisted the survivors of the earthquake that hit Chile. The organization is committed to the poorest of the world, fighting for humanitarian causes, against suffering and injustice. ACT members are organizations involved in the community for some time. At the inauguration in Geneva, the Secretary General of the ACT Alliance said that the establishment of this organization provides an opportunity to better connect emergency humanitarian assistance and sustainable development. "When the emergency has passed and the funds are gone, the churches continue to be present," said the Secretary-General. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 25/3/2010)

The suffering is horrendous. But the spirit of the Haitian people is greater -- and they remain filled with hope.

An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale struck the Western Hemisphere´s poorest nation on Jan. 12, claiming more than 200,000 lives, with an estimated 300,000 injured and more than 1 million left homeless. In its wake, there has been an outpouring of aid from all over the world. But the need is even greater.

The Franciscan Friars are on the scene, trying to alleviate suffering and keep that hope alive.

On Feb. 8, a group of eight people led by the director of the Capuchin Missionary Association, Fray Elmig Soto Negron, OFM, Cap., left Puerto Rico for Haiti on the ferry from Mayaguez with a donated van filled with food, water, medicine and other relief supplies. In Santo Domingo they joined up with the Capuchin Friars in Mandinga, where the Friars are caring for some 10 people injured in the quake, and crossed the border into Haiti.

The first night was spent in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, scene of the greatest devastation from the quake whose epicenter was located just 25 miles west, near the town of Leogane.

¨The Haitian people are strong, you can see their spirit in Port-au-Prince despite the devastation,¨ said Fray Elmig. ¨Many picked up brooms to sweep the streets, and shovels to clear away the garbage. But the need is so much greater; they scarcely make a dent.¨

The group set out the next day for the enclave of Beraud, to the west, where four Capuchin Friars have a permanent presence and have erected a two-story parish house. The director of the mission, Fray Lori, is Brazilian. Fray Armand, the vicar, is Haitian, as is Fray Prospero, and the fourth member of the tiny community, Fray Bernard, is French.

As they traveled west, the group saw the tent cities that have sprung up around the country, housing entire families. A flattened cardboard box is the floor; the roof a length of cloth held up by sticks. It can only get worse when the rainy season begins.

There were also small makeshift white crosses marking vast mass graves.

And long, long lines of people waiting patiently for food and water.

¨But you could always see a smile,¨ said Fray Elmig. ¨People were friendly, even cordial. It consoled them to see us, to know that they were not alone -- that someone cared about them.¨

When the van arrived in Beraud, the Friars and their helpers unloaded and organized the supplies preparatory to distribution, which would begin in the morning. As a means of control, tickets were passed out to those having family members in Port-au-Prince, the criterion used for distribution of the aid.

More than 300 people received food, water and medicine that day.

The following day, the Friars were joined by the Franciscan Sisters of Leon, an order of nuns that came to the area some 40 years ago from Canada. Most of the sisters are now Haitian.

They traveled to Abacou, on the coast at Les Cayes, where an even tinier Capuchin mission consisting of Fray Francois, from France, and Fray Fernando, from the Dominican Republic, maintain a permanent presence.

More food, water and medicines were unloaded there for distribution.

Back at Beraud, the workers arranged the remaining relief supplies in the van for future distribution .

"We set up a little supermarket in the van, to make it easier to distribute the supplies," said Fray Elmig. "There was more than a week's worth left."

The group then traveled north to cross the border back to Mandinga, in preparation for their return trip by ferry to Puerto Rico, arriving the morning of Feb. 19.

But this won't be a one-time effort for the group from Puerto Rico, that includes Third Order Franciscans Taty, Rafael and Andres, as well as Francisco, Aida, Margarita and Eli.

Fray Elmig said they are setting up a collection center in Utuado, where the goods will be stored in the donated van for future distribution in Haiti.

"The need is so great," he said. "Plans are to return in three weeks to set up a pair of wells, for the Friars and the community there in Abacou, where they have neither water nor electricity. Another urgent need is education -- to build safe schools and provide them with educational materials. We also want to provide some toys for the children who have no classes right now or entertainment of any kind."

Plans also include providing medicines to stock the dispensaries that have been set up.

"We will be able to do all these things thanks to all the generous people in Puerto Rico who have contributed to this effort,"said Fray Elmig.

"The need in Haiti was great before the earthquake but now it is so much greater."

Constanza Arena, Puerto Rico.

Circular Letter on Mission Activity

Carta circular sobre la Misión

Lettera Circolare sulla Missione

Lettre circulaire sur la mission

Rundschreiben über die Mission

List Okólny na temat Misji

Carta Circular sobre a Missão

“Operation White Christmas” - 'immigrant clean-up' initiative in Northern Italy

Brescia, 18 Nov. (AKI) - The mayor of the small town of Coccaglio, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy has launched a campaign to "clean-up" the city of immigrants, ahead of the Christian holidays next month, Italian media said on Wednesday. The town council has dubbed the operation "White Christmas".
There is no crime here. We only want to start cleaning up," said the mayor of Coccaglio, Franco Claretti.
The "White Christmas" campaign is being spearheaded by Claretti and six town councillors from Italy's ruling conservative People of Freedom party and its junior coalition partner, the anti-immigrant Northern League party.
Read more in Italian on www.repubblica.it

Bruxelles/ Brussels / Bruselas 2010

1. Français
2. English
3. Italiano

Le prochain cours formation pour les missionnaires sera donné en français, du 1 mars au 26 mai 2010.

Ce cours est destiné à tous les frères qui ont commencé à travailler en «mission. «Cela vaut aussi pour ceux qui vont du sud au nord de l’Inde ou en Europe». Ce cours n’est pas fait pour ceux qui partent seulement pour un court séjour, mais pour ceux qui partent pour quelques années. Sont invités aussi les missionnaires Les conditions: connaître le français, expérience missionnaire .

J’invite les Supérieurs Majeurs à me communiquer les noms des frères qui sont intéressés à participer à ce type de programme de formation.

Cher Ministre, merci de votre collaboration. Je souhaite que cet effort du bureau de l’animation missionnaire nous aide à grandir dans l’esprit franciscain de la Mission.

Merci de m’informer dès que possible des noms des participants intéressés, en indiquant leur nom, quelques informations personnelles, leur niveau de maitrise du français, les renseignements personnels du passeport, le pays de leur «mission». Date d’échéance: 15 novembre 2009.


The next course of our formation program for missionaries will be done in French from 2nd March to 24th May 2009.

It is meant for all those brothers who are preparing to leave their own culture and to go to a “Mission” (it is applicable also to those going from South India to North India, or those going to Europe). It is not designed for those who go only for a short experience. They should go for some years. The past has shown, that participation was more fruitful for those who had already made an experience in a specific mission area. So we specially invite Missionaries who recently started working in the “Mission”.
The condition is knowledge of the French language and some missionary experience.

I would like to ask the Major Superiors to let me know me the names of brothers who are interested in participating in this kind of a formation programme.

Dear brother Minister,
Thank you for your collaboration. I hope that this effort of the Office of Mission Animation will help us to grow in the Franciscan spirit of Mission.

Please inform me as soon as possible about interested participants, indicating Name, some personal data, knowledge of the French language, the place of their “mission”.
The course will be held only if there are sufficient participants enrolled until November 15th. Please express your interest during the next 2 weeks.


Il prossimo corso per la formazione dei nuovi missionari in francese avrà luogo dal 1 marzo al 26 maggio 2010.

Il corso è destinato a tutti quei frati che si preparano a lasciare la propria cultura e ad andare in una “Missione” (termine che è applicabile anche a coloro che vanno dall’India del Sud nell’India del Nord o a coloro che vanno in Europa). Non è invece per coloro che vanno soltanto per una breve esperienza. Si tratta quindi di coloro che andranno per diversi anni. I missionari con una certa esperienza nel paese della loro missione hanno potuto profittare meglio del corso. Invitiamo per questo specialmente i missionari che hanno cominciato di recente a lavorare in “Missione”. Condizione è che conoscano il francese e una esperienza nel lavoro.

Vorrei chiedere ai Superiori maggiori che mi comunichino i nomi di frati che sono interessati a partecipare a questa forma di programma di formazione.

Caro fratello Ministro,
grazie per la tua collaborazione. Spero che questo sforzo dell’Ufficio dell’Animazione missionaria ci aiuti a crescere nello spirito francescano della Missione.

Per favore, informami prima possibile riguardo ai partecipanti, indicandone il nome, alcuni dati personali, la conoscenza della lingua francese, il luogo della loro “missione”.
Ultimo termine è il 15 novembre prossimo per comunicare il vostro interesse. Perché abbiamo bisogno di un numero minimo di partecipanti per poter organizzare il corso.

New presence in Ghana

The friars from St. Francis Province in Kerala, India, started the second Capuchin presence in Ghana in Kpassa, Jasikan Diocese, Volta, Ghana. Up to now it is one of the outstations of an existing parish. Soon it should become an independent parish. The friars are living in a small, rented house. Their car is not in good conditions for the bad roads. Malaria and other diseases make life difficult there for the missionaries. But they are doing their best to serve our brothers and sisters in this place. Br. Godfrey sent us the pictures.

Tunisia, Tunesia, Tunesien - part of the Capuchin history

Per più foto e informazioni fai click sulla foto.
For more pictures and some information make click on the foto.
Für weiter Bilder und INformationen clicke auf das Foto.

100 years of promoting faith and life - Capuchins in Brazilian Amazon

Per informazioni in Italiano vai qui.

Manaus (Agenzia Fides) – During these days, in Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian Amazon, is hosting the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the arrival Capuchin Friars Minor who came over from Umbria (Italy). The first four brothers arrived on July 26, 1909.

The religious came from Assisi and were sent to Solmoes, the most western part of the Amazon filled with waterways and jungle, located between Colombia and Peru. There, they worked offering assistance to the “seringueiros” (rubber plantation workers) and Ticuna Tribe, the most numerous in all Brazil. The territory covered an area of 140,000 km sq. and had a little over 20,000 inhabitants.

The impact with the climate was mortal, so much so that one of them died of yellow fever just a year after his arrival, at age 27. Two, not long afterwards, were swept away by the muddy river waters and the rest were frequently hospitalized in Manaus for treatment of infections and various tropical disaeases. During a visit to Pope Pius XI, Fr. Evangelista de Cefalonia, the first Apostolic Prefect of the mission, affirmed that the climate “two missionaries immobile per year.”
Now, in Solimoes, there are 142,000 inhabitants in an area of 133,000 km sq. (a little over one inhabitant per square kilometer), and 99 religious who have joined in the evangelization effort and in social promotion with the opening of schools, a hospital, and an infinite number of multi-purpose centers, in addition to the formation of local vocations who are now a part of the Vice Province of Solimoes, formed by 40 religious, in 8 houses: two in Manaus, one in Humaita, and the rest along the river that the indigenous people call “Rio Mar.”
The religious celebrated the anniversary with many liturgical events in the various residencies, as well as with a retreat and a reflection on the mission in one of the houses of Manaus and in the monastery of the Poor Clares, which was opened three years ago in honor of the centennial anniversary.
The work that has been carried out by the religious, amidst difficulties and adversities, will be recalled in a book that will soon be published and in a documentary produced by “Nova-T” of Turin (Italy), which is linked to the Capuchin Order. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 29/7/2009)

Capuchins fight leprosy

AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - “Illiteracy is the entrance into a vicious circle: ignorance, lack of hygiene, underdevelopment, poverty, leprosy. Breaking the chain of ignorance, disease can be overcome as well.” The work of the Capuchins in Madagascar

Ambanja (Agenzia Fides) – In 2002, Madagascar received the WHO's “award for the victory over leprosy,” a disease that has afflicted the island for many years and that today is under control thanks to the work of Catholic

missionaries. In particular, the Saint Damian Center in Ambanja, founded by the Capuchin Friars in the 1960s, has offered advanced care for over 6,000 patients, measures using the Hansen bacillus. Today, the number of people with the disease has lowered to less than 1 per 10,000 inhabitants, however other illness with an epidemic tendency are making a come back. This is why for nearly 15 years, the sanatorium in Ambanja now hosts 21 leprosy patients and 205 with tuberculosis.
To avoid a return of the social segregation that took place in the old days, the sick are hospitalized for two months and later closely observed for another 6 months, which is usually the duration of the treatment process. The procedure they have adopted has convinced the public health system and the entire service is indicated as a model, as well, for the efficient system of self-sufficiency in food products, which includes the cultivation of several acres of terrain. Given the substantial results seen today in the center, a third area has been launched: schooling for children.
“It may seem a paradox that we put patients of leprosy and tuberculosis, along with children all together,” writes Fr. Marino Brizi, OFMCap, Director of the former “Léproserie St. Damien,” in “Continenti.” “But it is better that way and it helps the children to not only learn to read and write, but also to prevent the illness we treat. Illiteracy is the entrance into a vicious circle: ignorance, lack of hygiene, underdevelopment, poverty, leprosy. Breaking the chain of ignorance, disease can be overcome as well.” There are currently about 120 students living there, in addition to another 80 who are treated in the city through long-distance adoption programs. The “Léproserie” continues its work in the medical-surgical center founded by Fr. Stefano Scaringella, OFM Cap. Every year, 6-7,000 people are offered care and there are nearly 2,500 general operations, 300 eye operations, and 200 cesarean births. (AM) (Agenzia Fides 28/7/2009)

VATICAN - In the footsteps of Matteo Ricci, “a Jesuit in the Kingdom of the Dragon”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The reflections of Archbishop Celli, quotes from the Pope's message by Bishop Giuliodori, the dreams of Fr. Lombardi, the work of the Chinese Ambassador in the footsteps of Matteo Ricci were all featured in the presentation of “Matteo Ricci: A Jesuit in the Kingdom of the Dragon,” a documentary on the life of the great Jesuit missionary, by Gjon Kolndrekaj. The presentation took place on the evening of June 18, in the presence of Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; Archbishop Robert Sarah, Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; Bishop Claudio Giuliodori of Macerata-Tolentino-Recanati-Cingoli-Treia; Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, Director of the Holy See Press Office; Mr. Sun Yu Xi, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Italy; Mr. Zhang Jian Da, Cultural Councilor for the Embassy, who played an important role in collaborating with the making of the film. There were also several Jesuits present from the world of communications and others from the world of culture, for the showing of this work sponsored by the General Curia of the Company of Jesus and the Diocese of Macerata-Tolentino-Recanati-Cingoli-Treia and promoted by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in collaboration with the cultural and academic world of the People's Republic of China.

During his opening speech, Archbishop Celli recalled his first trip to China, visiting the tomb of the great Fr. Li Ma Dou (Fr. Matteo Ricci's Chinese name) and other Jesuits who gave their lives in that faraway land of the East, for the Lord's mission, underlining the present significance of this “great bridge.” Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, said that as a Jesuit speaking on behalf of all his brothers of the community, he would share two of his great dreams: see the Beatification of Fr. Matteo Ricci and the first Chinese Prime Minister to convert to Catholicism, Paul Xu, and that the Jesuits today would continue the path begun by Fr. Matteo... “This is a certainty,” he said. Bishop Guiliodori, promotor of the great celebration for the 400th anniversary of Fr. Matteo's death, highlighted the importance of science in the cultural change, quoting the Holy Father's message from May 6, 2009: “I am therefore greatly pleased to join all those who recall this generous son of your land, obedient minister of the Church, and intrepid and intelligent messenger of the Gospel of Christ. Considering his intense scientific and spiritual work, we are positively amazed by the innovative and unique capacity he had in bringing together Chinese cultural and spiritual traditions in conjunction. That was in fact the characteristic aspect of his mission to find possible harmony between the ancient and noble Chinese civilization and the newness of Christianity, which leads to freedom and true renewal within every society, as the Gospel is the universal message of salvation to the whole world, regardless of their cultural or religious context.”
In his brief and intense talk, Mr. Sun Yu Xi, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Italy, highlighted the popularity of Fr. Matteo Ricci, from his own experience: “the first time I heard his name, I was studying as a child.” He also confirmed that “China is working towards the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican.” Thus, the figure of Fr. Matteo Ricci is truly more important today than ever. In addition, at the Shanghai Expo 2010, there will be various projects dedicated to the great Jesuit missionary, Fr. Matteo Ricci. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 19/06/2009)

On the roof of Rome - an evening hosted by Francis Campbell, British Ambassador to the Holy See

At the end of a two years course with the Craighead Institute about "International Leadership" we received the certificates from the British Ambassador at the Holy See. I have "stolen" this Articel from Jane Stranz. On her blog you can find more about this evening.

The Craighead Institute was honoured to have its certificate giving ceremony at the residence of the British Ambassador in Rome this evening. We walked up almost 10 sets of staircases to reach a roof terrace with of course stunning views - this is Rome in June. Ambassador Francis Campbell was very welcoming and gave a good speech about how without religious organisations delivering services to real people at the grassroots, it would almost impossible to achieve the millenium development goals. He also particularly welcomed our group as there were far more women than at the usual receptions hosted at the residence!
Later after we had moved downstairs, the ambassador gave us fascinating insight into the complexity of the issues followed by the British embassay to the Holy See - using diplomacy to push the millenium development goals; the multilateral approach that the posting requires and the growing understanding of the importance of religion in diplomacy and international affairs. A heartening and interesting evening. [more]

Brussels / Bruxelles / Bruselas 2009 Inscriptions open

The next course of our formation program for missionaries will be done in English from 31st August to 22nd November 2009.
==> click for more details
___________________________________________

Le prochain cours formation pour les nouveaux missionnaires sera donné en anglais, du 31 août au 22 novembre 2009.
==> click for more details
______________________________________________________

Il prossimo corso per la formazione dei nuovi missionari in inglese avrà luogo dal 31 agosto al 22 novembre 2009.
==> click for more details