The Minister Provincial Fr. Richard S. Grech, OFM is currently attending the XVII Meeting of the Minister General and his Definitory with the newly elected Ministers and Custodes for 2014. This was officially opened this morning with the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by the Vicar General, Fr. Julio Bunader, OFM. The meeting is taking place at the General Curia in Rome and will run from Jan. 19 to 29.

A few more photos from our past. In the group photo with Mons Michael Gonzi Archbishop of Malta, taken many years ago, one may recognise Fr. Angelicus Azzopardi, Fr. Julius Eynaud, Fr. Kamillu Aquilina, Fr. Beneditt Ellul Mercer, Fr. Andrew Cuschieri, Fr. Hugh Attard, Fr. Dominic Coppola, Fr. Francis Dingli, Fr. Joseph Vella, Fr. Anselmu Chetcuti amongst others. Also in the picture a very young Fr. Alfred Tabone who is still going strong thank God. The other photo is of Fr. Marjanus Vella caught off guard relaxing and the last photo is of a very young Fr. Alfred Sciberras in the foreground with Fr. Piju Micallef behind him. Reminiscing with some nostalgia of days gone by!

A few more photos from the past showing Brothers John Forest Campbell ofm (RIP) and George Seychell ofm (RIP) a constant most welcoming presence at our Valletta friary, and , Fr. Cherubim Galea, Fr. Thomas Scicluna ofm (RIP) and a very young Fr. Justin Sciortino ofm (RIP) sharing a joyful moment and Fr. Alexsius M. Galea ofm (RIP) enjoying a well deserved moment of rest and relaxation.

The General Definitorium has appointed Fr. Sandro Overend ofm as Visitator General of the Province of St. Casmir's in Lithuania. Fr. Sandro is our former Minister Provincial and for the past few months has been doing a mini sabbatical in the Holy Land, at the Basilica of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. We congratulate Fr. Sandro ofm for this appointment. We are sure that the Lithuanian Province will benefit a lot from his appointment. We recommend him and the Province of St. Casimir to our prayers for a most successful outcome.

On Tuesday 6 January the Franciscan Province was invited to the feast of the Epiphany at the Poor Clares Monastery in St. Julian’s. At 6pm the Minister Provincial Fr. Richard S. Grech celebrated the Mass of the feast. At the end of the Mass the Abbess, Sr. Rose Therese Ellis OSC also delivered a small speech. After the Mass a reception was held to celebrate this occasion.