The Minister Provincial, Fr. Sandro Overend OFM, is in Assisi attending the Franciscan English Speaking Conference (ESC) meeting. The Minister Provincials met at Casa Leonori in S. Maria degli Angeli and discussed several issues on the verge of the General Chapter of the Franciscan Order to be celebrated during May-June 2009.

On the 23rd May,the ESC provincials celebrated Mass on the tomb of St. Francis. Sunday, they will be celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Porziuncola.

Monday, the General Chapter will begin with the prayer invocation to the Holy Spirit, recalling in mind 800 years of their presence in the very heart of the Church.

During the Chapter, the 800th anniversary of the approval of the rule (proto-regula) will be celebrated to mark the Pope’s benediciton to St. Francis and the first friars to live the gospel in simplicity and fraternal unity.

Fr. Sandro recommends prayers to the Lord and Our Lady during the Chapter.